Gender Differences in Social Embeddedness Determinants of Loneliness among Moroccan and Turkish Older Migrants

Objectives Moroccan and Turkish migrants residing in Northwestern Europe have high loneliness levels. This study examines gender differences in loneliness within this migrant population. The migrants have gender-segregated social roles at home and in public which might lead to gender differences in what aspects of social relationships can explain variation in loneliness. Methods Respondents are from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam with 446 first-generation Moroccan and Turkish migrants in the Netherlands, aged between 55 and 66 years. We use interaction effects to test for gender differences in determinants of loneliness. Results Men and women have a similar, moderate level of loneliness. Having a spouse and receiving care from children are more strongly related with lower loneliness levels in men than in women. Co-ethnic ties play an equally important role for men and women. In men, frequent mosque attendance is related with greater loneliness, but not in women. Discussion Family ties are more protective against loneliness for older men than for older women, possibly indicating that migrant women’s expectations regarding family go above and beyond having a spouse, receiving intergenerational care, or having frequent contact with children. In addition, migrant older men’s higher expectations regarding a public social life could make their social life in the Netherlands less fulfilling, resulting in greater loneliness.