Helena Ng

Defense Date

6-25-2012

Graduation Date

Summer 2012

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

dissertation

Degree Name

PhD

Department

Counselor Education and Supervision (ExCES)

School

School of Education

Committee Chair

Lisa Lopez Levers

Committee Member

Launcelot Brown

Committee Member

Jered Kolbert

Keywords

Aging, Hong Kong baby boomers

Abstract

Rapid aging of the majority and minority populations is occurring in the United States. Diverse aspects of aging, concerns of the aging of the baby boomer generation, and the heterogeneities among aging persons from diverse races and ethnicities have been examined in detail; however, there is a void in the literature that offers information about the aging of Chinese baby boomers. This qualitative study used a hermeneutic-phenomenological method to investigate the aging experiences of Hong Kong Chinese baby boomers who are residing in the United States. The findings of this study will possibly enhance the literature about the cultural parameters that relate to these persons' aging. The information can benefit counselors whose work involves this population. The results of this study are consistent, highlighting Hong Kong baby boomers' sensitivities to health issues, their perceived physiological changes and change in personality attributes, their desires to strengthen relationships with families and friends and to practice preventive healthcare, their concerns about losing independence, and persons that are important to their aging journeys such as children, spouses, and friends. From an existential perspective based on lived experiences (specifically corporal, temporal, spatial, and relational), the participants' subjective somatic experiences reflected some negative changes such as decline in memory and a lower level of energy. Their temporal sensibilities motivated them to do things that are desirable and meaningful. Their subjective sense of space would be the settings where they nurture their relationships and maintain their active lifestyles. Their relationships seemed to be marked by their longing to see their children often and to grow old with their spouses and friends. The findings indicate that these participants are negotiating their aging identities, autonomy, generativity, and integrity. The factors that protect these baby boomers, such as positive attitudes and sound health, are consistent with the adaptive means that relate to their aging. The importance of this investigation culminates in the cultural meanings of these findings, as they can enrich the counselor education knowledge base. Counselors must develop awareness and understanding of these meanings and integrate them into their work with baby boomer clients of Chinese descent.

Format

PDF

Language

English

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