Factors predicting the use of different coping strategies among Korean immigrant women in the United States

Abstract

Although most Korean immigrant women experience stress during the acculturation process, few studies have explored how this population copes with stressful events when adjusting to a new society. This study aimed to identify the types of coping strategies these women use, as well as the predictive factors for the same. Data were collected from 136 Korean immigrant women residing in Texas, using a self-report questionnaire written in Korean. The results showed that the participants most frequently used task-oriented coping strategies, followed in order by emotion-oriented and avoidance-oriented strategies. There were no significant predictive factors for task-oriented or avoidance-oriented coping strategies. However, age, English proficiency, length of residence, immigration stress, alcohol consumption, and at-risk drinking by a male partner significantly predicted the use of emotion-oriented coping strategies among participants. To increase access to professional services for Korean immigrant women in the United States, culturally sensitive social services and bilingual providers would be beneficial. Because emotion-oriented coping methods were the most common in Korean immigrant women, Korean churches could form partnerships and cooperate with social service agencies. Drinking by a male partner is an important issue that significantly affects the coping methods of Korean immigrant communities. Finally, limitations and suggestions for further research are discussed.