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Age Cohort, Ancestry, and Immigrant Generation Influences in Family Relations and Psychological Well‐Being among Black Caribbean Family Members
Author(s) -
Jackson James S.,
ForsytheBrown Ivy,
Govia Ishtar O.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4560.2007.00533.x
Subject(s) - immigration , solidarity , population , family ties , extended family , demographic economics , sociology , gender studies , demography , geography , political science , genealogy , history , politics , law , economics , archaeology , anthropology
Immigration is contributing to the U.S. population becoming increasingly ethnically diverse. This article examines the role of family relations and well‐being among different generations of Black Caribbean immigrants. Family disruptions, such as migration, can have complex effects on the support networks and emotional well‐being of family members. Data from a recently completed national study of American Blacks in the United States, however, reveal significant similarities across ancestry and immigrant status in family contact, solidarity and well‐being. It is concluded that intrafamilial relations may serve to overcome barriers of geographical distance in providing comparable levels of contact, solidarity, and well‐being for both U.S.‐born and immigrant Black Caribbean family members of different generations. Because of the increasing numbers of immigrant elders, these sources of family support will become increasingly more important in bridging the gaps between government resources and needed assistance in an aging society.