An Examination of the Health Status, Subjective Age Perception, Meaning of Life, Life Satisfaction, and Sociodemographic Characteristics of Individuals Older 60 Who Migrated to Germany and Live in Türkiye

Year 2024, Volume: 7 Issue: 3, 214 - 227, 31.12.2024

Bahtım Kütük

https://doi.org/10.47141/geriatrik.1545513

Abstract

Aim: Migration is not merely a geographical movement but also encompasses cultural changes and psychological effects. This study compares the physical and mental health, subjective age perception, meaning in life, life satisfaction, and some socioeconomic levels of individuals aged 60 and above who migrated to Germany and are currently living in Türkiye.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 49 participants aged 60 and older, including those living in Germany (n = 24) and Türkiye (n = 25). Data were collected using a demographic information form, SF-12 Health Survey, Meaning in Life Scale, Life Satisfaction Scale, a subjective age perception question, and socioeconomic status assessment.
Results: Significant differences were found between the two countries in terms of physical health, subjective age perception, and education level. Participants living in Germany reported better physical health, a younger subjective age perception, and lower education levels. They also scored higher on the search for meaning in life. Correlation analyses revealed a negative relationship between subjective age, life satisfaction, and education level in Germany. In Türkiye, negative correlations were observed between physical health, subjective age, and life satisfaction, while mental health showed a positive relationship. In both countries, a strong positive relationship was found between income level and socioeconomic status.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that migration impacts various aspects such as physical and mental health, life satisfaction, and education level. The findings provide guidance not only for academic research but also for policymakers and practitioners, serving as a basis for developing intervention programs for this age group.

Keywords

Immigration, Health Status, Subjective Age Perception, Meaning in Life, Social Status

Project Number

Yoktur.

Almanya’ya Göç Eden ve Türkiye’de Yaşayan 60 Yaş Üstü Bireylerin Sağlık Durumları, Öznel Yaş Algısı, Yaşamın Anlamı, Yaşam Doyumları ve Sosyodemografik Özelliklerinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Amaç: öç, yalnızca coğrafi bir hareket değil, aynı zamanda kültürel değişim ve psikolojik etkiler barındırır. Bu araştırmada, Almanya’ya göç etmiş ve Türkiye’de yaşayan 60 yaş üzeri bireylerin fiziksel ve mental sağlık durumları, öznel yaş algıları, yaşamın anlamı, yaşam doyumu ve bazı sosyoekonomik düzeyleri karşılaştırılmıştır.
Gereç ve Yöntemler: Araştırma, Almanya’da (n = 24) ve Türkiye’de (n = 25) yaşayan 60 yaş üzeri 49 katılımcı ile yürütülmüştür. Veriler, demografik bilgi formu, SF-12 Yaşam Kalitesi Ölçeği, Yaşamın Anlamı ve Yaşam Doyumu Ölçekleri ile öznel yaş algısı sorusu ve sosyoekonomik durum değerlendirmesiyle toplanmıştır.
Bulgular: İki ülke arasında fiziksel sağlık, öznel yaş algısı ve eğitim düzeyi bakımından anlamlı farklılıklar bulunmuştur. Almanya’daki katılımcılar daha iyi fiziksel sağlığa, daha genç bir yaş algısına ve daha düşük eğitim düzeyine sahiptir. Ayrıca yaşamın aranan anlamı açısından daha yüksek puan almışlardır. Korelasyon analizleri, Almanya’da öznel yaş ile yaşam doyumu ve eğitim düzeyi arasında negatif bir ilişki olduğunu; Türkiye’de ise fiziksel sağlık, öznel yaş ve yaşam doyumu arasında negatif, mental sağlıkla ise pozitif ilişkiler olduğunu göstermiştir. Her iki ülkede de gelir durumu ile sosyoekonomik düzey arasında güçlü bir pozitif ilişki saptanmıştır.
Sonuç: Araştırma, göçün fiziksel ve mental sağlık, yaşam doyumu ve eğitim düzeyi gibi çeşitli alanlarda etkili olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Elde edilen bulgular, akademik çalışmaların yanı sıra politika yapıcılar ve uygulayıcılar için de yol gösterici olabilir ve bu yaş grubuna yönelik müdahale programlarının geliştirilmesine temel oluşturabilir.

Keywords

Göç, Sağlık Durumu, Öznel Yaş Algısı, Yaşamın anlamı, Sosyal Düzey

Ethical Statement

ETİK kurul raporu eklenmiştir.

Supporting Institution

Yoktur.

Project Number

Yoktur.

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