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English Language Skills, Ethnic Concentration, and Household Composition: Older Mexican Immigrants

Gerontology Institute, University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Address correspondence to Jeffrey A. Burr, Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125-3393. E-mail: jeffrey.burr{at}umb.edu

Objectives. The authors examine the living arrangements of older Mexican immigrants to demonstrate how the formation of complex households is related to English language proficiency. Specifically, they examine whether the ability to use the English language is a determinant of an older Mexican immigrant persons' capacity to maintain residential independence. They also examine how living in communities with a relatively high proportion of Hispanic persons impacts household structure.

Methods. Data from the 1990 U.S. Census of Population are used to evaluate multilevel multinomial logistic regression models of living arrangements among older Mexican immigrants.

Results. The authors found that strong English language skills increase the likelihood of living independently and increase the likelihood of being the head of a household. They also found that living in an area with a relatively high proportion of Hispanic persons increases the likelihood that older Mexican immigrants will live independently as compared with living with others without headship. Finally, interaction models were examined, demonstrating that living in a community with a relatively high proportion of Hispanics reduces the strength of the relationship between English language proficiency and living arrangement outcomes for older Mexican immigrants.

Discussion. The authors discuss the implications of their findings and point out possible avenues for further research.