| Immigration has an effect on the physical, social, emotional, and psychological well-being. Since the late 1800s there have been waves of Eastern European emigrants entering the United States and with the economic instability and rising anti-Semitism in the USSR beginning in the late 1970s over one million people have immigrated to the United States, many of whom were over the age of 65. The current study examined the relationship between depression, demographic factors, and loneliness as well as the prevalence of depression in a sample of 50 elderly Soviet emigrants currently residing in subsidized housing in the Chicago-land area. The study participants were individually interviewed in their native tongue. They responded to questions contained in the Geriatric Depression Scale-short form, the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3), as well as a demographic questionnaire containing questions regarding their activities, contact with family members, health, level of English proficiency, and life expectations. The results showed a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among the Soviet elderly studied. Using a cut score of five on the GDS to suggest the presence of depression, 42% of the sample endorsed such symptoms. The results showed a statistically significant positive correlation between depression and loneliness scores, r=.77, p<.01. In addition, the results indicated that living alone is problematic for this population. Specifically, the participants who reside alone had higher scores on both depression and loneliness measures. Limited face to face contact with adult children was also found to be problematic for the Soviet elderly emigrants. In light of these results, cultural implications and treatment considerations are discussed. |
