Understanding the significance of bonding social capital for the well-being of first-generation labour migrants: A cross-sectional study in the Netherlands.

As cultural diversity within older populations in European countries increases, the present study aims to gain a better understanding of the importance of bonding social capital (BSC) for the well-being of older first-generation labour migrants, residing in the Netherlands, compared to their native peers. BSC is recognised as an important ingredient for well-being in old age and found to be associated with someone’s cultural background. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 119 Turkish first-generation labour migrants (64.7% male; age 65-87, M(SD)=71.13(5.04) and 124 Dutch non-migrants (32.3% male, age 65-94, M(SD)= 71.9(5.32). Both samples filled out either an online or printed questionnaire measuring BSC, psychological, social and emotional well-being, loneliness and relevant demographic confounders. Regression analyses showed positive associations between BSC and respectively emotional, social and psychological well-being and a negative association with loneliness in both samples. Moderation analyses indicated that these associations were significantly stronger for the Turkish older migrants than for the Dutch non-migrants. The observed differences between the migrants and non-migrants samples emphasise the importance of considering cultural diversity and migrant-related factors studying social relationships in later life.