TY - JOUR
T1 - Cyclical Migration in Alaska Native Elders and Its Impact on Elders' Identity and Later Life Well-Being
AU - Lewis, Jordan P.
AU - Kim, Steffi M.
AU - Asquith-Heinz, Zayla
AU - Thompson, Lena
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
PY - 2024/3/1
Y1 - 2024/3/1
N2 - OBJECTIVES: This paper outlines the unique culturally driven cyclical migration of Alaska Native (AN) Elders, distinct from previously described migration patterns in that Elders spend extended time in more than one community. We describe this Indigenous cyclical migration of AN Elders and its influence on their identity and later life health and well-being. METHODS: Interviews with 124 AN Elders were conducted across 5 regions of Alaska: Bristol Bay, Interior, Norton Sound, Aleutian Pribilof Islands, and Southcentral. Within this sample, 87 participants engaged in cyclical migration. Thematic analysis was employed to identify themes related to Elders' cyclical migration between rural and urban communities and the impact on their identity and later life health and well-being. RESULTS: We identified 2 distinct patterns of Indigenous cyclical migration-Elders living primarily in rural communities migrating to urban communities and Elders living primarily in urban communities migrating to rural communities. Elders engaged in these 2 patterns of cyclical migration to maintain cultural practices, access social, and health care services to maintain their physical health and well-being, and continue their community roles contributing to their AN Elder identity. DISCUSSION: This study builds upon existing migration theories by introducing a cyclical pattern uniquely driven by AN identity, culture, and traditional practices. Findings illustrate how AN communities can support Elders who experience cyclical migration patterns to ensure they age successfully in both locations. Future research should explore cyclical migration patterns among other Indigenous populations with migration histories.
AB - OBJECTIVES: This paper outlines the unique culturally driven cyclical migration of Alaska Native (AN) Elders, distinct from previously described migration patterns in that Elders spend extended time in more than one community. We describe this Indigenous cyclical migration of AN Elders and its influence on their identity and later life health and well-being. METHODS: Interviews with 124 AN Elders were conducted across 5 regions of Alaska: Bristol Bay, Interior, Norton Sound, Aleutian Pribilof Islands, and Southcentral. Within this sample, 87 participants engaged in cyclical migration. Thematic analysis was employed to identify themes related to Elders' cyclical migration between rural and urban communities and the impact on their identity and later life health and well-being. RESULTS: We identified 2 distinct patterns of Indigenous cyclical migration-Elders living primarily in rural communities migrating to urban communities and Elders living primarily in urban communities migrating to rural communities. Elders engaged in these 2 patterns of cyclical migration to maintain cultural practices, access social, and health care services to maintain their physical health and well-being, and continue their community roles contributing to their AN Elder identity. DISCUSSION: This study builds upon existing migration theories by introducing a cyclical pattern uniquely driven by AN identity, culture, and traditional practices. Findings illustrate how AN communities can support Elders who experience cyclical migration patterns to ensure they age successfully in both locations. Future research should explore cyclical migration patterns among other Indigenous populations with migration histories.
KW - Eldership
KW - Indigenous
KW - Late-life migration
KW - Older adults
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85175095353&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85175095353&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/geronb/gbad072
DO - 10.1093/geronb/gbad072
M3 - Article
C2 - 37167633
AN - SCOPUS:85175095353
SN - 1079-5014
VL - 79
JO - The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences
JF - The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences
IS - 3
ER -