A person-centred approach to ethnic and national identity and its relation to subjective well-being among Korean New Zealanders

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper examined 1,270 Korean New Zealanders in terms of the patterns of their Korean ethnic and New Zealand national identities and how these orientations relate to their subjective well-being. This study revealed the four profiles of identity orientations: (1) strong levels of both ethnic and national identity (Integrated Identity); (2) strong ethnic and weak national identity (Separated Identity); (3) weak ethnic and strong national identity (Assimilated Identity); and (4) weak ethnic and weak national identity (Marginalised Identity). The separated identity orientation was slightly more prevalent among the Korean New Zealander sample, followed by integrated and marginalised identity orientations, with assimilation being the least common. Korean New Zealanders in the integrated identity profile reported the highest levels of subjective well-being, while those in the marginalised identity profile reported the lowest. The levels of subjective well-being between the separated and the assimilated identity profiles were similar. These findings underscore the importance of fostering a sense of belonging to the ethnic group and/or the host society as a booster to enhance life satisfaction and positive affect and also as a buffer against negative affect. This paper also discussed implications for New Zealand immigration policies, and future research directions.