Multicultural conviviality in the context of active ageing in Luxembourg

Scientific Conference (2022, June)

Luxembourg’s population has not only become more culturally diverse in the past years but is also growing older. Almost 20 per cent of the total population of Luxembourg is over 60 years old, of which one ... [more ▼]

Luxembourg’s population has not only become more culturally diverse in the past years but is also growing older. Almost 20 per cent of the total population of Luxembourg is over 60 years old, of which one third are non-Luxembourgers. Active ageing can make an important contribution to the quality of life of older people and promote social inclusion, whereas the feeling of not belonging can be a psychological barrier to participation in activities. This was the starting point of the PAN-VAL project on active ageing of Luxembourgers and non-Luxembourgers, which was funded by the Luxembourg Ministry of Family and Integration and carried out in collaboration between a team from the University of Luxembourg and GERO – Kompetenzzenter fir den Alter. A total of N = 1000 people over 50 (51% women, 49% men) participated in a nationally representative online and telephone survey, and a number of n = 39 in-depth qualitative interviews were carried out with participants from four selected municipalities in different parts of the Grand Duchy: Differdange in the south, Mersch in the centre and Ettelbrück and Clervaux in the north. Based on our quantitative data, we will first present a model on the relations between sense of belonging, social inclusion, loneliness and participation in social activities. Drawing on our qualitative interviews, we will further analyze how the participants describe the processes how they developed a sense of belonging to the places they live in through mundane encounters with people from their municipalities and neighborhoods. We will also explore, how older people experience conviviality with regard to the offers for active ageing, focusing in particular on barriers and facilitators for participation in such offers. Policy implications and lessons learnt about how to adapt social offers to the diverse needs of an increasingly heterogeneous target group will be discussed. [less ▲]

Le vieillissement actif dans le contexte de la diversité culturelle au Luxembourg

Report (2021)

Le point de départ du projet PAN-VAL « Vieillissement actif au Luxembourg », qui a été mené à bien en collaboration étroite avec l’Université du Luxembourg et GERO, était la question de savoir dans quelle ... [more ▼]

Le point de départ du projet PAN-VAL « Vieillissement actif au Luxembourg », qui a été mené à bien en collaboration étroite avec l’Université du Luxembourg et GERO, était la question de savoir dans quelle mesure les activités sociales et les offres sont utilisées par une population diversifiée. Dans le cadre de cette étude, les besoins et les attentes de personnes de plus de 50 ans (Luxembourgeois(es) et non-Luxembourgeois(es)) ont été étudiés en ce qui concerne leurs réseaux sociaux, leur intégration sociale, leurs activités de loisir au sein de leur communauté et leur sentiment d’appartenance ainsi que leur satisfaction avec divers domaines de la vie. En même temps, l’objectif de l’étude était de déterminer quels facteurs favorisent une participation et ce qui empêche les personnes de participer aux offres de loisirs publiques. Dans la brochure présente ont été réunis les résultats les plus importants des études partielles quantitatives et qualitatives suivis d’indications pour l’organisation d’off res. On y présentera des éléments afin de mieux intégrer les personnes âgées issues de l’immigration et de mettre au point des services pour un vieillissement actif d’un groupe cible toujours plus diversifié. Ainsi, cette brochure s’adresse à tous ceux qui s’occupent de l’organisation d’offres pour des activités sociales – pour personnes âgées, mais pas uniquement – dans le contexte de la diversité culturelle. [less ▲]

Correlates of resilience of older people in times of crisis

in Innovation in Aging (2021, November), 5(S 1), 723

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, efforts have been made to shield older adults from exposure to the virus due to an age-related higher risk for severe health outcomes. While a reduction of in ... [more ▼]

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, efforts have been made to shield older adults from exposure to the virus due to an age-related higher risk for severe health outcomes. While a reduction of in-person contacts was necessary in particular during the first months of the pandemic, concerns about the immediate and longer-term secondary effects of these measures on subjective well-being were raised. In the present study, we focused on self-reported resilience of older people in a longitudinal design to examine risk and protective factors in dealing with the restrictions. Data from independently living people aged 60+ in Luxembourg were collected via a telephone/online survey after the first lockdown in June (N = 611) and September/October 2020 (N = 523), just before the second pandemic wave made restrictions necessary again. Overall, results showed an increase in life-satisfaction from T1 to T2, although life-satisfaction was still rated slightly lower than before the crisis. Also, about a fifth of participants indicated at T2 difficulties to recover from the crisis. Participants who reported higher resilience to deal with the Covid-19 crisis at T2 showed higher self-efficacy, agreed more strongly with measures taken by the country and felt better informed about the virus. In contrast, participants who reported more difficulties in dealing with the pandemic, indicated reduced social contacts to family and friends at T2, and also felt lonelier. Results will be discussed applying a life-span developmental and systemic perspective on risk and protective factors in dealing with the secondary impacts of the pandemic. [less ▲]

National and transnational family and friendship networks and their role for subjective well-being of older migrants compared to non-migrants in Luxembourg

Scientific Conference (2021, August 18)

Creating new bonds in the receiving country constitutes an important developmental task for migrants. Nonetheless, migrants often have smaller social networks in the receiving countries compared to non ... [more ▼]

Creating new bonds in the receiving country constitutes an important developmental task for migrants. Nonetheless, migrants often have smaller social networks in the receiving countries compared to non-migrants, while they stay connected with left behind family members in their countries of origin. The role of transnational ties can thereby be twofold – on the one hand, transnational relations might provide support for migrants from a distance, on the other hand feelings of loneliness might arise when network partners are living far away. The present study is part of the project PAN-VAL on active ageing in Luxembourg, financed by the Ministry of Family and Integration, which focusses on social embeddedness vs. social isolation of migrants and non-migrants living in the multicultural context of Luxembourg. A national sample of N=1000 migrants and non-migrants 50+ living in Luxembourg were asked about their family and friendship networks, their satisfaction with family, friends and life as a whole as well as their feelings of loneliness. Further, N = 20 qualitative interviews with older migrants and non-migrants in four selected municipalities were carried out to explore social networks in more depth. First analyses revealed smaller national family and friendship networks of migrants compared to non-migrants and people with double nationality, whereas migrants reported more transnational bonds. Migrants also reported a lower satisfaction with family and friendship networks compared to non-migrants and people with double nationality, whereas no differences were found between migrants and non-migrants with regard to feelings of loneliness. However, people with double nationality felt less lonely compared to both other groups. Results will be discussed in a life-span perspective, considering the role of national family and friendship networks to create a sense belonging as a fundamental need of human beings. [less ▲]

Sense of belonging, social embeddedness and perceived loneliness of older Luxembourgers and non-Luxembourgers in pandemic times

Scientific Conference (2021, July)

Luxembourg has witnessed a sharp increase in cultural diversity due to high levels of immigration in the past years, and the question of how inhabitants from different cultural origin establish a sense of ... [more ▼]

Luxembourg has witnessed a sharp increase in cultural diversity due to high levels of immigration in the past years, and the question of how inhabitants from different cultural origin establish a sense of belonging to their country of residence has become essential for social cohesion and inclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic has, however, shaken patterns of belonging dramatically. The place of residence has gained new meaning due to confinement measures, closed borders and local contact restrictions. Physical distancing could have particularly adverse effects on older migrants with smaller social networks in the receiving country, increasing the risk for loneliness and social isolation. The present study is part of the PAN-VAL project on active ageing funded by the Luxembourgish Family Ministry. We aim to analyze the impact of sense of belonging and social embeddedness on perceived loneliness before and since the COVID-19 crisis of older Luxembourgers and non-Luxembourgers living in the Grand-Duchy. A representative sample of N=1000 residents 50+ participated in a survey via telephone and online in December 2020. The standardized questionnaire included questions regarding national and transnational family and friendship networks, contact frequencies, sense of belonging to place and country of residence and of origin as well as perceived loneliness before and since the COVID-19 pandemic. Preliminary findings indicate that sense of belonging predicted loneliness before and since the corona crisis, whereas a larger social network in Luxembourg was protective against loneliness only before but not since the crisis. Interestingly, a higher contact frequency with friends in Luxembourg reduced loneliness before the crisis, whereas higher contact frequency with friends abroad reduced loneliness since crisis. Results will be discussed considering resources as well as risk factors for loneliness in the context of migration and ageing in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. [less ▲]

Ageism and Older People's Health and Well-Being during the Covid-19 Pandemic: The Moderating Role of Subjective Aging

in European Journal of Ageing (2021), 18

Digitale Kommunikation im Alter – Erste Ergebnisse der CRISIS-Studie

Scientific Conference (2020, November 10)

In Folge der Kontaktbeschränkungen und Maßnahmen der sozialen Distanzierung zur Eindämmung der Corona Pandemie wurde vielfach von einem vermehrten Gebrauch digitaler Medien zur Aufrechterhaltung sozialer ... [more ▼]

In Folge der Kontaktbeschränkungen und Maßnahmen der sozialen Distanzierung zur Eindämmung der Corona Pandemie wurde vielfach von einem vermehrten Gebrauch digitaler Medien zur Aufrechterhaltung sozialer Kontakte berichtet. Die vorliegende Studie liefert erste Hinweise darauf, inwiefern sich das Kommunikationsverhalten älterer Menschen während der COVID-19 Krise verändert hat, wie der Gebrauch verschiedener Kommunikationsmittel mit der Reduktion von Einsamkeit und sozialer Isolation zusammenhängt und ob digitale Medien traditionelle Formen der Kommunikation verdrängen oder ergänzen. Im Juni 2020 wurden im Rahmen des vom FNR Luxemburg geförderten CRISIS-Projekts N = 611 in Privathaushalten lebende Personen im Alter zwischen 60 und 98 Jahren zu ihrem Erleben während der COVID-19 Krise befragt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das Telefon insgesamt zwar weiterhin das wichtigste Kommunikationsmittel älterer Menschen bleibt, jedoch nehmen digitale Medien insbesondere in der Gruppe der 60-69-jährigen einen wichtigen Stellenwert ein, um mit anderen in Kontakt zu bleiben. Dabei reduzierte ein gestiegener Gebrauch digitaler Medien (wie auch traditioneller Medien) das Gefühl, nicht genug Gesellschaft zu haben. Außerdem scheinen neue Arten der Kommunikation traditionelle Arten in unserer Zielgruppe nicht zu ersetzen, sondern sie ergänzen sich gegenseitig. Die Ergebnisse werden mit Bezug auf Maßnahmen zur Reduktion sozialer Isolation und Einsamkeit im Alter und im Kontext von COVID-19 diskutiert. [less ▲]

Views on Aging and Well-Being in the Covid Crisis – A Longitudinal Study in Luxembourg

in Innovation in Aging (2020), 4(Supplement_1), 961-961

During the Covid-Crisis, stereotypes of older adults as helpless and vulnerable were spread, and intergenerational conflict was stirred more or less openly. We thus focused on perceived ageism during the ... [more ▼]

During the Covid-Crisis, stereotypes of older adults as helpless and vulnerable were spread, and intergenerational conflict was stirred more or less openly. We thus focused on perceived ageism during the crisis and its effects on well-being and health of older adults. Since views on aging are multifaceted and can be both, risk and resource for individual development, we assessed people’s self-perceptions of aging (SPA) as social loss, continued growth and physical decline and subjective age (SA). We hypothesized that people with SPA of social loss and physical decline would be more susceptible to negative effects of perceived ageism, whereas those with SPA of continued growth and younger SA would be less affected. NT1 = 611 community-dwelling adults aged 60 – 98 (Mage = 69.92 years) were recruited in June 2020 online and via phone in Luxembourg. In September 2020, participants will be contacted again for a follow-up. Analyses with cross-sectional data show that participants who felt more discriminated reported lower life satisfaction after the onset of the crisis (r = -.35) and worse subjective health (r = -.14). SPA of social loss and higher SA increased the negative effect of ageism on well-being (beta = -.57) and subjective health (beta = -.53), respectively. Our results point to mid- and long-term consequences of age discriminatory and stereotype-based crisis communication for the well-being of older adults and the importance of individual SPA in critical situations. [less ▲]

Multiculturalism in Luxembourg: Challenges and opportunities.

Scientific Conference (2017, July 14)

An unprecedented number of first generation immigrants will approach retirement age. Two projects from Luxembourg are presented: the FNR-funded project on "Intergenerational Relations in the light of ... [more ▼]

An unprecedented number of first generation immigrants will approach retirement age. Two projects from Luxembourg are presented: the FNR-funded project on "Intergenerational Relations in the light of Migration and Ageing” with focus on the ageing Portuguese migrants, and a pilot field project focusing on bringing together elderly people with different social and cultural background by an Intercultural walking group. [less ▲]

Is less really more? Involving or not involving tumor patients in medical decisions: A patients’ perspective.

in Psychology and Health (2011), 26 (2)

Is less really more? Involving or not involving tumour patients in medical decisions: A patients’ perspective Martine Hoffmann, Sophie Recchia and Dieter Ferring Throughout the western industrialised ... [more ▼]

Is less really more? Involving or not involving tumour patients in medical decisions: A patients’ perspective Martine Hoffmann, Sophie Recchia and Dieter Ferring Throughout the western industrialised countries, shared decision-making is gaining increasing attention in the area of health policy as well as in the field of oncology. However, little is known about the current practice in Siberia and its impact on patient outcomes so far. This study thus aimed at (a) exploring patients’ level of satisfaction with information giving and treatment involvement and (b) identifying key psychosocial and disease-related determinants interrelated with the decision-making process. The sample comprised 172 in-patients treated for different types of cancer. Cross-tap analyses showed that in 70% of the reported cases, medical decision-making was in line with patients’ wishes: thereof 40% of the respondents preferred a paternalistic style and 30% opted for a shared-decision-making approach. Of those patients who were dissatisfied with medical decision-making, 80% wished a higher degree of involvement. Implications of these findings for the development and use of decision support tools are discussed. [less ▲]