RESILIENCE IN THE CONTEXT OF DISABILITY: A STUDY WITH TURKISH AND MOROCCAN YOUNG-OLD IMMIGRANTS IN THE NETHERLANDS

The healthy immigrant effect postulates that immigrants have additional cultural resources that can be mobilized to cope with adverse life events. We investigated sociodemographic, personal, social, and cultural factors associated with resilience to disabilities in young-old Turkish and Moroccan immigrants from the Longitudinal Ageing Study of Amsterdam. Using latent class analysis, five resilient-related groups were identified: 1) High physical and emotional functioning; 2) High physical but emotional vulnerability; 3) Physical impairment but good emotional functioning; 4) Physical and emotional impairment; and 5) Physical and extreme emotional impairment. Multinomial regression analysis indicated loneliness, mastery and lack of belonging as the strongest predictors of resilience. Compared to the resilient group, non-resilient participants were lonelier, displayed lower levels of mastery, and were more likely to report feelings of loss regarding their home country. Results indicate feelings of loss as an additional risk factor for older immigrants.