abstract: 'Background. Traditional municipal services are not successful at

  reaching Turkish seniors. Compared to native Germans Turkish seniors

  have a lower social participation.

  Objective. Do native language groups hosted by aGerman organization

  promote the social participation of Turkish seniors? How does social

  participation take place in the ZWAR networks (between work and

  retirement; aproject to strengthen social participation of seniors) and

  which factors promote or reduce social participation?

  Material and methods. Qualitative structuring content analysis of two

  group discussions, which were based on guided interviews.

  Results. The social participation of Turkish-speaking seniors was

  strengthened on three levels: (1)through regular meetings of the Turkish

  ethnic group social relationships were promoted and German language

  skills and other skills were improved. Through mutual sharing and

  understanding of the stressors specific to migration, emotional support

  was provided. The sharing of mutual cultural and linguistic backgrounds

  created asense of community and meetings were perceived as an antidote

  to migrants'' exhausting lives in German society. (2)At the

  organizational level, participation was promoted through extensive group

  events. Regardless of their cultural background all participants

  identified as equal ZWAR members. The ZWAR project functioned as an

  umbrella organization for participation in the intercultural context.

  (3)Participation in community events created contacts with community

  stakeholders and fostered volunteer work. Hence, participants were able

  to use their skills, and therefore broaden their horizons.

  Conclusion. Turkish ZWAR networks promoted the social participation of

  members because integration with their ethnic group reduced access

  barriers, broadened members'' scopes of action, and created new

  opportunities for participation.'
affiliation: 'Fietz, J (Corresponding Author), Tech Univ Dortmund, Fak Erziehungs
  Wissensch Psychol \& Soziol 12, Emil Figge Str 50, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany.

  Fietz, Jennifer, Tech Univ Dortmund, Fak Erziehungs Wissensch Psychol \& Soziol
  12, Emil Figge Str 50, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany.

  Stupp, Barbara, Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Senioren Org eV BAGSO, Bonn, Germany.'
author: Fietz, Jennifer and Stupp, Barbara
author-email: Jennifer.Fietz@tu-dortmund.de
author_list:
- family: Fietz
  given: Jennifer
- family: Stupp
  given: Barbara
da: '2023-09-28'
doi: 10.1007/s00391-018-1400-1
eissn: 1435-1269
files: []
issn: 0948-6704
journal: ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GERONTOLOGIE UND GERIATRIE
keywords: 'Turkish migrants; Retirement; Social relationships; Community

  participation; Social support'
language: German
month: JUL
number: '4'
number-of-cited-references: '39'
pages: 336-341
papis_id: d1098767b635a66f12b41bf841a59ee0
ref: Fietz2019strengtheningsocial
times-cited: '1'
title: Strengthening of social participation of Turkish seniors
type: Article
unique-id: WOS:000473099400006
usage-count-last-180-days: '2'
usage-count-since-2013: '10'
volume: '52'
web-of-science-categories: Geriatrics \& Gerontology; Gerontology
year: '2019'