September 11-12, 2025 - Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padua
Miaci, E., Cela, E., Barbiano di Belgiojoso. E. (2025) “Health and Well-being among Older Refugees: A Textual Analysis from Italy"
Abstract: Population ageing and international migration represent critical global demographic trends with profound implications for health and social policies. Older refugees represent an especially vulnerable population, situated at the intersection of ageing, migration, and forced displacement. Nevertheless, their specific needs remain largely invisible in contemporary policy discussions on sustainable ageing. This study explores how forced migration shapes the experiences of ageing, health, and well-being among older refugees in Italy, providing critical insights for sustainable ageing policy and practice. Drawing from 100 in-depth interviews conducted within the AVRAI project -Assessing the Vulnerability of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Italy, we adopt a textual analysis approach—combining co-occurrence analysis and Latent Dirichlet Allocation —to systematically identify and interpret key themes emerging from interview narratives. Findings highlight factors related to health and well-being, such as social isolation, access to healthcare and services for older people, active ageing activities, cultural adaptation challenges and intergenerational support. By focusing on the narratives of older refugees, this research contributes to the interdisciplinary debate on sustainable ageing, emphasizing the urgent need for inclusive and culturally sensitive policies that enhance resilience, social equity, and the long-term well-being of forcibly displaced older adults.
