Table 2 Thwarted Belongingness from Qualitative Interviews with US Chinese Older Adults with Past-month Suicidal Ideation

Social isolation

Lack of social connections and feel loneliness

Linguistic and cultural barriers of being integrated to the receiving communities^a

Linguistic barriers and cultural gaps

I’m lonely so that it’s easy for me to have this thought (suicidal). Because I have nothing, I’m lonely here, especially at night. I don’t speak the language here.

Low social support^b

Perceived low social support from family and friends

Because people who are closest to me have to work, they don’t come often. I can’t cook and can’t walk. My daughter is busy. She has her own family. Nobody can help me. All of my friends are old. How can they help?

Self-reported loneliness^b

Feeling lonely and disconnected to others

I feel very lonely...My son and daughter live far from me. When they didn’t come to see me, I feel lonely.

Restricted social networks^b

The absence of marriage or small numbers of children and friends.

I don’t like Chicago since I moved from New York one or two years ago. In New York, I had many friends who get along well and all speak Cantonese. I have to start over and adapt to the new environment. I don’t want to make friends here, because I only understand 2–3 out of 10 sentences they talk.

Seasonal reductions in social interactions^b

Season-caused reduction in social interactions

I can’t go outside for activities when it’s cold. I’m bored staying home.

Absence of reciprocal care

Not a supporter of others and have few to no support

Conflict in family norms^b

You can hardly expect someone filial enough to persist care of long-ill parent (“jiu bing chuang qian wu xiao zi”). My children expect me to die soon; then they can get the money. I lost the hope to rely on the children. I often think why not to die soon. I’m in poor health. I cause trouble for children.

Acculturation gaps in intergenerational support^a

A sense of imbalance in the relationship and the violation of social expectations due to acculturation gaps

My daughter-in-law looks down upon me. What is your (my) worth? You (I) can only clean and take care of the grandchildren. Initially, they ask us to go there, and we take care of grandchildren. They seem to take it for granted. In the US, American grandparents do not have to take care of their grandchildren. If you want them to, you must pay them money.

Loss through death^b

I have been suffering since my wife was gone. My daughter has two kids and her husband. It doesn’t matter. But for me, I don’t have anyone. When I feel painful and bored, I leave the senior apartment and I took the train, from the beginning to the very end, and from the end back to the beginning.