Protective Factors and Processes Fostering Resilience and Buffering Psychosocial Distress among Later-Life Egyptian Immigrants.

This qualitative study explores and describes the protective factors and processes that foster resilience and buffer psychosocial distress among later-life Egyptian immigrants post immigration to the US. Open-ended structured interviews were conducted with (30) later-life Egyptian immigrants who came to the United States after turning 60 years of age. Thematic analysis was used to analyze patterns within the data. The findings of this study reveal that the availability and utilization of psychosocial resources - due to opportunities embedded in their sociocultural context and coping strategies embedded in their individual strengths and cultural or religious beliefs - play a pivotal role in buffering the losses and acculturative stressors triggered by transitioning to a new environment. The findings of this study can be used to inform psychosocial and therapeutic interventions and guide the development of appropriate social work programs and services for later-life Egyptian immigrants in particular and older Arabic-speaking immigrants in general.