Successful Ageing: The Novel Perspectives and Experiences of Vietnamese Migrants in Australia

Hien Thi Nguyen, Loretta Baldassar, Raelene Wilding

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paperChapterpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Existing studies on successful ageing have been criticised for their western-centric approach. To address this criticism, this study presents Vietnamese migrants’ perspectives and experiences of successful ageing in a transnational context. Using a grounded theory approach and featuring emic perspectives, data collected on 42 Vietnamese migrants in Australia through ethnographic interviews and participant observation were analysed to develop a model of successful ageing based on the socio-cultural values and economic and institutional contexts of the home and host countries. The findings indicate that, contrary to the western notions associated with individual successes, self-control, and independence, Vietnamese migrants’ successful ageing perceptions comprise three key dimensions: family fulfilments, individual achievements, and social engagement and protection, of which family fulfilments is the most crucial; the others, individual achievements and social engagement and protection, are relevant but rendered meaningless without the former. Accordingly, Vietnamese migrants’ conceptualisation of successful ageing is culturally driven and socially constructed, and must be understood subjectively by incorporating multiple self-defined and self-categorised dimensions. This is especially evident in transnational and migrant contexts, in which the Vietnamese people’s perceptions of successful ageing are influenced by cultural exchanges and transformation, but retain their dominant cultural meanings.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHousing and Ageing Policies in Chinese and Global Contexts
EditorsTerence Chun Tat Shum, Charles C. L. Kwong
PublisherSpringer
Chapter4
Pages53-77
Number of pages25
ISBN (Electronic)9789819953820
ISBN (Print)9789819953844, 9789819953813
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameQuality of Life in Asia
Volume15
ISSN (Print)2211-0550
ISSN (Electronic)2211-0569

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