Korean American Immigrants Research Articles

Examining the Potential Effect of a Salt Sensitivity Biomarker in Korean American Immigrants: A Pilot Study.

The genetic factors involved with salt sensitivity (SS) have been studied using a genetic approach to identify individuals at high risk for developing hypertension and could benefit from a low sodium diet intervention, but this has not been well-studied in Korean American immigrants (KAIs). The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the influence of SS that moderates blood pressure (BP) in KAIs (n = 34). KAIs were recruited from local communities and completed a blood draw, a 8-day food log, and BP testing. The dietary sodium intake was measured using the Fitbit mobile app, and an SS biomarker was assessed using targeted genotyping. out of five GNAI2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tested, rs4547694 significantly moderated the relationship of dietary sodium intake on BP in KAIs. Conclusions: Further studies are warranted to test the effect of a reduced sodium diet on BP while accounting for the moderating influence of an SS genotype.

The central role of social support in the health of Chinese and Korean American immigrants

Prior research contends that social support positively influences health by optimizing individuals’ psychological processes such as appraisals, emotions, and sense of control—known as stress-buffering effects. This study tests this theoretical concept by examining whether the association between social support and health can be explained by the psychological processes of perceived stress and distress among Chinese and Korean American immigrants. Furthermore, we examine what predicts social support in this population, with a particular focus on factors related to immigration. Using a total sample of 400 Chinese and Korean American immigrants, we examine the association between social support and self-rated health (SRH), accounting for demographic factors, socioeconomic status, perceived stress, and perceived distress using multivariable logistic regression models. We conducted a mediation analysis using the Karlson, Holm, and Breen (KHB) method to determine whether perceived stress and distress partly explained the association between social support and SRH. Findings showed a strong total effect of higher social support on better SRH. Furthermore, mediation was detected, with perceived stress and distress explaining 42.98% of the total effect of social support on SRH. Multivariable linear regression models revealed that social support among Chinese and Korean American immigrants was associated with marital status, employment, ethnic identity, and acculturative stress. This study highlights the centrality of social support for Chinese and Korean American immigrants, which lowers perceived stress and distress, leading to better overall health. By confirming these stress-buffering effects, our findings suggest that bolstering social support among vulnerable Chinese and Korean American immigrant populations can have a positive effect on health by optimizing stress appraisals.

The effects of spiritual experience and church commitment among South Korean young adult immigrants in the United States: a mixed-methods study

Background Korean American immigrants have become one of the largest Asian American ethnic group in the United States, and Christianity have been preserving their ethnic identities. However, little is known if church commitment is associated with developing emotional well-being and work capacity. The study aims to understand the attachment to church and its effect on level of emotional well-being and work (or school) performance among South Korean young adult immigrants who have a strong faith in Christianity. Methods A sequential, mixed-methods study examined two dimensions of church attachment, level of religious belief and involvement in church activities. A total of 23 participants was initially recruited through purposive and snowball sampling, and then 22 of them were divided into two high-belief groups—high-active church members and low-active church members – for further analysis. A screening questionnaire, a quantitative component, was used to exclude a low-level believer. Consecutively, an in-depth interview, a qualitative component, was conducted to further investigate the emotional well-being and work (or school) performance. Results Although a small sample was collected, it generated initial insights into the effects of time commitment for church among immigrants. Regardless of leadership roles and level of activity at church, strong beliefs appeared to improve emotional well-being and support motivation to improve the performance of major activity of daily living. Conclusions The major significance was to support further research on religious belief and practice and its potential association with emotional well-being and social adjustment for Koreans, as well as other immigrants. The study applied a culturally specific lens to focus on a particular minority immigrant population.

Opioid Literacy in an Immigrant Group in Rural Area: Use of Social Determinant of Health Framework

Opioid overdose risk is particularly high in immigrant communities partly due to limited English proficiency (Guarino et al., 2015). Previous studies reported that social determinants of health (SDH) have been associated with risk for opioid overdose (Dasgupta et al., 2018). The current study examines the association between SDH and literacy of opioid overdose risk among the immigrant population living in a rural area. Specifically, we examine the association in various age groups including young adults (aged 20 to 34), middle-aged (aged 35 to 49), and older adults (ages 50 to 75). Data were drawn from a sample of Korean American immigrants residing in rural Alabama (N=225). The participants administered the Brief Opioid Knowledge (BOOK) Questionnaire (Dunn et al., 2016). Multiple regression analyses were conducted for three age groups to identify predictors of opioid literacy. Overall, older adults had lower levels of opioid literacy relative to their younger counterparts. Among young adults, low English proficiency, more chronic conditions, and greater depressive symptoms were significant predictors of limited opioid literacy. For the middle-aged adults, lower levels of health literacy and more pain symptoms were associated with limited opioid literacy. Among older adults, women, those with higher English proficiency, and lower health literacy had lower levels of opioid literacy. The findings demonstrated a greater vulnerability of older immigrants to limited opioid literacy. Different predictors based on SDH of limited opioid literacy across age groups have implications for tailored health promotion strategies to reduce opioid overdose risk.

Health Literacy in Korean Adults and Korean American Immigrants: Implications for Achieving Health Equity.

Health literacy is necessary to understand health information and make appropriate decisions regarding one's health. This study aims to investigate (1) the health literacy level of Korean citizens and Korean American (KA) immigrants in the United States and (2) factors that influence health literacy across three age groups. A quota sampling method was used to collect cross-sectional survey data from 404 Korean participants and 404 KA immigrants. Andersen's behavioral model was used as the theoretical framework for this study. Overall, Korean participants had a higher mean score on health literacy than did the KA immigrants. Only one of predisposing and enabling factors were significant variables influencing health literacy in KA immigrants, while several predisposing, enabling and need factors were significantly associated with health literacy in Korean adults. Our findings indicate that both countries need to have a community-based health literacy educational program that is tailored to each age group.

Coexistence of Everything that Exists—An Imagination about Love of Korean American Immigrant Nakchung THUN

Coexistence of Everything that Exists—An Imagination about Love of Korean American Immigrant Nakchung THUN

Adherence to Cervical Cancer Screening in Korean American Immigrant Women: Identifying Malleable Variables for Intervention Development.

Introduction. Despite Korean American women having a high incidence rate of cervical cancer, many are unaware of the significance of Pap test. The purpose of this research was to examine the rates of Pap test receipt and factors associated with the uptake. Method. The study was guided by Andersen's Model of Health Service Use and used a cross-sectional research design. A sample of 230 women residing in metro-Atlanta, Georgia, participated in this study. Results. Slightly more than half (55.7%) had lifetime Pap tests while less than half (45.7%) had it within the last 3 years. Binary logistic regression indicated that marital status, monthly income, and annual checkups were significantly correlated with receiving Pap tests. Discussion. Special attention is needed for women who are unmarried and have low income to increase Pap test receipt. Suggested intervention programs include better communication strategies, extended Medicare coverage, and outreach programs within Korean American community.

Older Korean Americans’ concern about Alzheimer’s disease: the role of immigration-related factors and objective and subjective cognitive status

Objectives: The present study examined the associations between immigration-related factors and objective and subjective cognitive status with older Korean Americans’ concern about developing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). It was hypothesized that (1) AD concern would be associated with immigration-related factors and (2) self-rated cognitive status would mediate the relationship between cognitive performance (Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores) and concern about AD.Method: Using data from the Study of Older Korean Americans (n = 2061, mean age = 73.2; 66.8% female), the direct and indirect effect models were tested.Results: Korean American immigrants with a higher level of acculturation had better cognitive performance, more positive self-ratings of cognitive status, and a lower level of concern about AD. Both poor cognitive performance and negative self-ratings of cognitive status were associated with increased concern about AD. Supporting the mediation hypothesis, the indirect effect of cognitive performance on AD concern through self-rated cognitive status was significant (bias corrected 95% confidence interval for the indirect effect = −.012, −.003).Conclusion: The mediation model not only helps us better understand the psychological mechanisms that underlie the link between cognitive status and AD concern but also highlights the potential importance of subjective perceptions about cognitive status as an avenue for interventions.

Health Literacy and Outcomes of a Community-Based Self-Help Intervention: A Case of Korean Americans With Type 2 Diabetes.

Although scientific reports increasingly document the negative impact of inadequate health literacy on health-seeking behaviors, health literacy's effect on health outcomes in patients with diabetes is not entirely clear, owing to insufficient empirical studies, mixed findings, and insufficient longitudinal research. The aim of this study was to empirically examine underlying mechanisms of health literacy's role in diabetes management among a group of Korean Americans with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Data from a randomized clinical trial of a health literacy-focused Type 2 diabetes self-management intervention conducted during 2012-2016 in the Korean American community were collected at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. A total of 250 Korean Americans with Type 2 diabetes participated (intervention, 120; control, 130). Participants were first-generation Korean American immigrants. Health literacy knowledge was measured with the original Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine and the diabetes mellitus-specific Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine. Functional health literacy was measured with the numeracy subscale of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults and the Newest Vital Sign screening instrument, which also uses numeracy. Primary outcomes included glucose control and diabetes quality of life. Multivariate analyses included latent variable modeling. A series of path analyses identified self-efficacy and self-care skills as significant mediators between health literacy and glucose control and quality of life. Education and acculturation were the most significant correlates of health literacy. Despite inconsistent findings in the literature, this study indicates that health literacy may indirectly influence health outcomes through mediators such as self-care skills and self-efficacy. The study highlights the importance of health literacy, as well as underlying mechanisms with which health literacy influences processes and outcomes of diabetes self-management.

Factors Associated with Mammogram Use in Korean American Immigrant Women.

Objectives: In this study, we assessed breast cancer screening in Korean American immigrant women and identified factors associated with adherence to American Cancer Society mammography screening guidelines. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional survey with 182 Korean American immigrant women in Los Angeles County, California. Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use guided this study's design and analysis. We used hierarchical logistic regression to identify predisposing, enabling, and need factors associated with mammography adherence. Results: Nearly all respondents (95.1%) had a mammogram at some point in their lifetime. Mammography adherence based on age was 22.2% (45-49 years), 29.0% (50-54 years), and 67.7% (55 years and older). The strongest correlates of mammogram adherence were having a regular primary care check-up and hearing about a mammogram experience from family members, friends, or neighbors. Awareness of free or low-cost mammogram service, family cancer history, and having fatalistic beliefs also were associated with mammogram adherence. Conclusions: The findings highlight the primacy of health education messages that emphasize the importance of regular check-ups and personal screening experiences to promote mammography use in this population. Additional research is needed to understand Korean American immigrant women's perspectives on breast cancer and breast cancer screening in relation to fatalism.

Gender Differences in Acculturative Stress and Habitual Sleep Duration in Korean American Immigrants.

Korean American immigrants (KAIs) face diverse sociocultural stressors in the acculturation process. While stress is known to cause short sleep, little is known about how acculturative stress affects sleep differently for KAI men and women. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine gender differences in the association between diverse domains of acculturative stress and sleep duration among KAIs. Middle-aged KAIs were recruited in community settings and online. KAIs completed validated measures of acculturative stress (homesickness, social isolation, employment barriers, discrimination, civic disengagement, and family problems) and sleep duration. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed and stratified by gender. 343 KAIs participated (mean age = 41 ± 10years, 47% female, 11% short sleepers [< 6h]). After adjustment for covariates, higher homesickness (β = - 23.19, p < 0.05) and lower civic disengagement (β = 17.75, p < 0.05) were associated with shorter sleep duration in women, while higher isolation was associated with shorter sleep duration in men (β = - 13.73, p < 0.05). Discussion: Results suggest gender-specific associations between acculturative stress and sleep duration. Future research should take into account gender differences in the experience and effects of acculturative stress when developing interventions to improve sleep health in KAIs.

Acculturative Stress, Social Problem Solving, and Depressive Symptoms among Korean American Immigrants.

The present study examined the relationship among acculturative stress, social problem solving, and depressive symptoms among 107 Korean American immigrants. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that acculturative stress significantly predicted depressive symptoms controlling for different domains of acculturation. With regard to the role of social problem solving, among the five dimensions of social problem solving (i.e., positive problem orientation, negative problem orientation, rational problem solving, impulsive/careless style, and avoidant style), negative problem orientation and impulsive/careless style significantly predicted depressive symptoms. Avoidant style significantly interacted with acculturative stress, indicating that avoidant style is associated with depressive symptoms when acculturative stress is high. The study underscores the impact of culture as well as severity of stress on the relationship among acculturative stress, coping, and depressive symptoms among Korean American immigrants.

HPV Literacy: The Role of English Proficiency in Korean American Immigrant Women.

Although Korean American women have one of the highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates among all Asian American and non-Hispanic White women, they are less likely to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. This study aimed to examine Korean American women's HPV literacy and factors related to HPV literacy to identify targeted intervention strategies. A quota sampling strategy was used to recruit 243 Korean American women aged 19-85 years in the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted using Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use to examine factors associated with HPV literacy. HPV literacy of Korean American immigrant women was moderate, and knowledge about HPV detection items was particularly low. Age was the only predisposing factor that had a significantly negative association with HPV literacy, whereas education level and English proficiency had a significant positive relationship with HPV literacy. Health status as a need factor was significantly positively associated with HPV literacy.

1910∼1920년대 김장연 일가 자료의 일고찰 : 국립한글박물관 소장 레슬리 송(Lesile Song) 기증 자료를 중심으로

In this study, I will attempt to examine the data of the Kim Jang-yeon family’s hangeul materials. This material was donated to the National Hangeul Museum, and consists of Hangul letters, letter envelopes, and documents.BR 41 letters were exchanged between Kim Jang-yeon in the United States and members of his family in Korea. These letters give us insight into the social phenomena of the time. Moreover, the influence of early Christianity can be confirmed through the letters.BR Materials other than the Hangul letters and envelopes, include passports, independent pension receipts, and identification cards. These documents are valuable data on the first generation of Korean-American immigrants, and have an important historical significance in terms of sociology and immigration history.BR

The Meaning of Literary Magazines, The Horizon and The New Continent in the Literary History

The Horizon and The New Continent are the Korean literary magazines published in the United States from 1970’s to 1980’s. The former is a prominent magazine of the Western area of the US while the latter is the one of the Eastern area. The Horizon is specialized in poetry, and The New Continent is a rather comprehensive magazine that includes novels, essays, fairy tales and literary reviews as well as poems. There is no significant difference of both magazines in terms of contents of poems. Their common themes are desire for identification(favor and hope) with the American society, non-identification or desire for non-identification(isolation and critical mentality). However, The New Continent shows more critical aspects toward the American society, and has more lyrical aspects than The Horizon. Meanwhile, The Horizon expresses a favorable attitude toward American civilization and nature. Generally, poems published in both magazines are lyrics. They are mainly written in Korean, but some of the poems are written in both Korean and English. Using Korean and English words is one of the characteristics of Korean American poetry. The meaning of The Horizon and The New Continent in the literary history are as follows: First, both magazines embrace sentiments such as pain, hope, and homesickness of Korean American immigrants in 1970’s and 1980’s. Second, both has contributed to developing Korean American poetry which was inherited to Korean American Literature, and New York Literature. Third, both expends the history of Korean American poetry as well as the history of Korean poetry. Thoroughly compared and closely analyzed with Korean domestic poetry literature, literary values of both magazines should be objectively evaluated. In addition, studies on both magazines by being compared with Korean literature in other foreign countries can be used to expand the boundary of modern Korean literature. It must be hurried because the number of poets who have lived in foreign countries drastically decreases.

Post-War Immigration Experiences of Survivors of the Korean War

ABSTRACTThe current study examined personal experiences of Korean American survivors of the Korean War who immigrated to the United States post-war. Seventeen Korean American immigrants ages 55–84 years old shared their experiences before, during, and after the Korean War, as well as their immigration experiences. All participants were residents of California, which is home to the second highest number of Korean immigrants in the United States. Through the use of consensual qualitative analysis (Hill, Thompson, & Williams, 1997), themes emerged from participant interviews that included the loss of identity, the American dream and unmet expectations, survival, and parenting issues (including intergenerational conflicts). This study provides key information about this population for clinical settings and suggests the importance in future research to understand the post-war effects on successive generations of Korean American immigrants.

Decision-making about prenatal genetic testing among pregnant Korean-American women

Objectiveto understand the prenatal genetic testing decision-making processes among pregnant Korean-American women. Designa qualitative, descriptive research design. Participantsreferrals and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit 10 Korean-American women who had been recommended for amniocentesis during pregnancy in the United States (U.S.). All participants were born in Korea and had immigrated to the U.S. The number of years living in the U.S. ranged from 4 to 11 (M=5.7). Settingvarious regional areas of the U.S. Measurements and Findingsthe researchers conducted face-to-face or phone interviews using semi-structured interview guides. The interviews were conducted in the Korean language and lasted approximately 50–100minutes. The interview guides focused on the decision-making process and experiences with prenatal genetic testing, as well as reflections on the decisions. Four core themes emerged related to the participants’ decision-making processes, according to their descriptions. These themes are (1) facing the challenges of decision-making, (2) seeking support, (3) determining one's preferred role in the decision-making process, and (4) feeling uncomfortable with the degree of patient autonomy in U.S. health care. Key conclusionresearchers concluded that many distinctive factors influence the decision-making processes used by pregnant Korean-American women. The results have the potential to improve shared decision-making practices regarding prenatal genetic testing. Implications for Practiceclinicians need to understand the sociocultural underpinnings of pregnant Korean-American immigrants regarding prenatal genetic screening and testing as an initial step to engage these patients in shared decision-making.

미국이주 한인가계의 재무적 과제와 극복 경험 연구

미국이주 한인가계의 재무적 과제와 극복 경험 연구

Family Harmony: Reconciling Individual and Collective Responsibility in the Care of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Korean Middle-Aged Americans

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has disproportionately affected Korean American immigrants (KAI) in the United States. Biomedical, more individualistic, management models have focused primarily on individual responsibility for the prevention of costly complications. Traditionally, collectivism has been an important attribute of the KAI community. We conducted a qualitative study to explore the individual and collective values within the context of family while caring for DM in middle-aged (40-64 years) KAI. The following themes emerged from individual in-depth interviews: (1) Personal accountability for family harmony: I do it on my own; (2) Preserving appearance of family harmony at all costs: personal sacrifice for the good of the whole; and (3) Family harmony through mutuality: we take care of each other. The process of reconciliation of the individual and collective ethic requires one to find coping strategies, while considering social roles, gender and intergenerational interactions, in order to maintain harmony in KAI families.

Breast Cancer Screening Disparity among Korean American Immigrant Women in Midwest

Purpose:Using three breast cancer screening methods such as mammogram, Clinical Breast Examination (CBE), and Breast Self-Examination (BSE), this study investigated breast cancer screening rates and its associated factors in Korean American immigrant women.Method:Cross-sectional data were obtained from 168 Korean immigrant women aged 40 and older in Midwest. The Andersen’s Behavioral Model (1995) theoretically guided this study and logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with screening receipt and performance.Results:Study participants reported low screening rates, specifically mammography and CBE uptake. About 71% of the women had a mammography at least once in their lifetime, while about 36% indicating receipt of a mammogram in the last three years. About 59% of the women received a CBE at least once in their lifetime, while about 32% had CBE in the past three years. About 74% of study participants have performed BSE at least once in their life time, while about 68% have done it in the past three years. Knowledge of screening method was consistently correlated with participant’s three breast cancer screening uptake. Additional factors that were positively associated with screening included older age, low barriers to mammograms, and lower educational attainment.Conclusions:Overall, study participants reported low rates of breast cancer screening receipt and performance. It is required to promote screening uptake among Korean immigrant women, especially women with young age, a lower level of education, and lack of health accessibility. A community-based language-appropriate health education program should be developed to increase health care access.