Korean-American Mothers Research Articles

Navigating Home Language Practice for Children With Disabilities: Insights From Korean-American Mothers' Online Communications

Navigating Home Language Practice for Children With Disabilities: Insights From Korean-American Mothers' Online Communications

Korean Immigrant Mothers and the Journey to Autism Diagnosis and Services for Their Child in the United States

Since autism diagnosis is directly linked to the availability of supportive services, identifying best practices for early diagnosis of autism has long been a concern of professionals and families. Meanwhile, studies show persistent racial disparities in autism diagnosis. Although numerous clinical diagnostic guidelines have been published, there is not enough discussion of diagnostic procedures through the lens of culturally diverse families. Purpose. This study focuses on the autism diagnostic experiences that Korean immigrant mothers had with their children. Methods. Eleven first-generation Korean-American mothers of children with autism were included in the study. The data was collected using semi-structured interviews in Korean. Results. The main five factors (i.e., cultural beliefs and values, language barriers, complex emotions, immigration and navigating systems, and facilitators and assets) that mainly influence the diagnosis process were identified through thematic analysis. Conclusion. Dynamics are interactive within and between the factors, influencing the entire diagnostic process by either delaying or facilitating the identification of a child’s autism and the provision of treatment.

Korean American Mothers’ Experiences of the Transition from School into Adulthood for Their Child with Disabilities

In order to better understand how Korean American students with disabilities go through transitions and how education and services can more effectively target them, this study was designed to examine Korean American parents’ perceptions of transition experiences for their child with disabilities through collecting qualitative data. To achieve the purposes of the research, 9 mothers of Korean American young adults with disabilities aged 18–25 were interviewed. Overall, five themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: the importance and shortcomings of a transition program for students with disabilities aged 18–21, use of an ethnic informal organization, mothers’ readiness for the future, professionals’ negative attitudes, and transition planning. The findings were discussed to enhance the involvement of Korean American parents in the development of a long-range plan that will affect the postschool outcomes of their children with disabilities.

Digital storytelling intervention to promote HPV vaccination among at-risk Asian immigrant populations: Pilot intervention study.

The high morbidity, mortality, and economic burden attributed to cancer-causing HPV call for researchers to address this public health concern through human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Despite disparities in HPV-associated cancers in Korean and Vietnamese Americans (KAs, VAs) their vaccination rates remain low. Evidence points to the importance of developing culturally and linguistically congruent interventions to improve HPV vaccination rates. Digital storytelling (DST; a specific form of cultural narrative) shows promise as an effective culture-centric health promotion strategy. Study aims were to assess the preliminary effects of an innovative remotely delivered culturally and linguistically congruent DST intervention consisting of stories of personal lived experiences on KA and VA mothers' attitudes and intention in vaccinating their children against HPV. We also examined if the association between attitudes and intention differed by child's sex (boy vs. girl) and by ethnicity (KA vs. KA). Participants were recruited from via multiple outlets (e.g., ethnic minority community organizations, social media, flyers posted in local Asian supermarkets and nail salons). Valid and reliable measures were administered online to collect data pre- and post-intervention. Statistical analysis including descriptive statistics, paired and independent sample t-tests, chi-square, and McNemar's test were used to describe the distributions of variables and to examine differences between subgroups and changes in key variables over time. We estimated logistic regression models to examine associations between mother's HPV- and vaccine-related attitudes and vaccination intention, and to explore if the association between attitudes and vaccination intention differed by the target child's sex or ethnicity. In our sample of 50 KA mothers (mean age = 42.8 years; SD = 4.8) and 114 VA mothers (mean age = 41.5 years; SD = 5.4), 36% of KA and 51% of VA mothers reported children receiving free or reduced-price lunch at school. Mother's attitudes toward HPV and the vaccine (t [163] = 2.49, P = .014) and intention to vaccinate their children improved significantly (2 1 = 18.38, P < .001). The measure of mother's positive attitudes toward HPV and the vaccine was significantly associated with the higher vaccination intention (OR = 0.246, p < .001), adjusting for background variables (sociodemographic characteristics) and other HPV-related variables (family cancer history, prior HPV education, HPV communication with healthcare providers). Findings did not suggest that child's sex or ethnicity moderated association between attitudes and vaccination intention. This brief intervention using digital stories was feasible and showed preliminary effects on promoting KA and VA mothers' intention to vaccinate their children against HPV.

Developing a Culturally and Linguistically Congruent Digital Storytelling Intervention in Vietnamese and Korean American Mothers of Human Papillomavirus-Vaccinated Children: Feasibility and Acceptability Study.

The high morbidity, mortality, and economic burden attributed to cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV) call for researchers to address this public health concern through HPV vaccination. Disparities of HPV-associated cancers in Vietnamese and Korean Americans exist, yet their vaccination rates remain low. Evidence points to the importance of developing culturally and linguistically congruent interventions to improve their HPV vaccination rates. We adopted digital storytelling (DST) that combines oral storytelling with computer-based technology (digital images, audio recording, and music) as a promising approach for facilitating the communication of culturally relevant health messages. This study aimed to (1) assess the feasibility and acceptability of intervention development through DST workshops, (2) conduct an in-depth analysis of the cultural experience that shapes HPV attitudes, and (3) explore aspects of the DST workshop experience that could inform future formative and intervention work. Through community partners, social media, and snowball sampling, we recruited 2 Vietnamese American and 6 Korean American mothers (mean age 41.4, SD 5.8 years) who had children vaccinated against HPV. Three virtual DST workshops were conducted between July 2021 and January 2022. Our team supported mothers to develop their own stories. Mothers completed web-based surveys before and after the workshop and provided feedback on each other's story ideas and the workshop experience. We used descriptive statistics to summarize quantitative data and constant comparative analysis to analyze qualitative data collected in the workshop and field notes. Eight digital stories were developed in the DST workshops. They were well accepted, and the mothers showed overall satisfaction and relevant indicators (eg, would recommend it to others, would attend a similar workshop, it was worth their time; mean 4.2-5, range 1-5). Mothers found the process rewarding and appreciated the opportunity to share their stories in group settings and learn from each other. The 6 major themes that emerged from the data reflect the mothers' rich personal experiences, attitudes, and perceptions about their child's HPV vaccination, which included (1) showing parents' love and responsibility; (2) HPV and related knowledge, awareness, and attitudes; (3) factors influencing vaccine decision-making; (4) source of information and information sharing; (5) response to children's being vaccinated; and (6) cultural perspectives on health care and HPV vaccination. Our findings suggest that a virtual DST workshop is a highly feasible and acceptable approach to engaging Vietnamese American and Korean American immigrant mothers in developing culturally and linguistically congruent DST interventions. Further research is needed to test the efficacy and effectiveness of digital stories as an intervention for Vietnamese American and Korean American mothers of unvaccinated children. This process of developing an easy-to-deliver, culturally and linguistically aligned, and holistic web-based DST intervention can be implemented with other populations in other languages.

“It Is Not the End of Parenting”: Extended Parenthood and Child Launching Experiences Among Middle-Aged Korean American Mothers

This study explored how middle-aged Korean American mothers perceive their children’s transition to adulthood and make sense of their changing parenting experience. Guided by a phenomenological approach, the analysis of semi-structured interviews with first-generation Korean immigrant mothers ( N = 10) of young adult children revealed their culturally unique perceptions of children’s independence and parenting approach during child launching. Specifically, to the mothers, the current child launching period meant extended parenthood until a child’s marriage which was viewed as the completion of full launching. While welcoming their children’s independence and autonomy, they believed that their children still needed parental support due to prolonged education and financial instability. These mothers actively engaged in their children’s decision-making process representing their reluctance to fully allow their children’s autonomy and felt ambivalent with the uncertainty of their children’s independence. The study findings have implications for providing Korean immigrant families with useful assistance and support in practical settings.

Korean-American Mothers’ Perceptions of Self-Determination of Primary School Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ABSTRACT While the literature in the area of self-determination for youth and adolescents is well-developed, research on the acquisition of self-determination behaviours in childhood has been relatively scarce. Given that culturally and linguistically diverse families may have different understandings or definitions of self-determination behaviours, we qualitatively investigated five Korean American mothers’ perceptions and definitions of self-determination education for their children with autism spectrum disorder. Using a phenomenological approach, we analysed data using the constant comparative analysis method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Three main themes were identified: (1) emerging perceptions of self-determination, (2) value conflicts of self-determination, and (3) mothers’ cultural influence on children’s development of self-determination. Implications for research and practices are discussed.

Experiences and Impact of Having Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder on the Lives of Their Korean-American Mothers

ABSTRACT A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) changes family dynamics and impacts family members’ lives. Knowing family perceptions of ASD and understanding their experiences and challenges with children’s ASD provides more important context for socially valid intervention approaches. In particular, given the increased need for culturally responsive interventions, investigating the impact of ASD diagnosis on a particular cultural group offers meaningful preliminary evidence for efficient approaches for educators who seek to serve that population. In this study, the authors used naturalistic inquiry to explore how Korean American mothers experience their children’s ASD and how their cultural values and perceptions of ASD relate to their lives and their children’s education. Five Korean American mothers participated in this study. Using constant comparative analysis, four key themes were identified: (a) chains of emotional distress, (b) impact of ASD on family relationships, (c) lifestyle impact, and (d) cultural differences in navigating educational systems. These findings are discussed for future research and practice.

Comparative and Individual Perspectives on Mother-Infant Interactions with People and Objects among South Koreans, Korean Americans, and European Americans.

Comparative and individual acculturation of mother and infant person-directed and object-directed behaviors and interactions were investigated among 183 South Korean, Korean American, and European American mothers and their 5½-month-old infants. We analyzed and compared mean levels in mothers' and infants' person- and object-directed behaviors and partner responsiveness and initiation of these behaviors in dyads in the three cultural groups. Among Korean American dyads, we also analyzed individual-level variation in the acculturation of these behaviors and interactions. This study reveals how contrasting South Korean and European American cultural values are embedded and manifested in early mother-infant interactions and how cultural values from South Korean origin and European American destination cultures are interwoven in Korean American mother-infant interactions.

Culturally Specific Parent Mental Distress, Parent–Child Relations and Youth Depression among Korean American Families

The study examined the interrelationships between parental distress, family processes, and child depressive symptoms among Korean American families. Path analyses was used to examine the effects of parents’ culturally specific and somatic symptoms of mental distress on parent–child relationships and child mental health outcomes among a sample of Korean American youth (N = 220), mothers (N = 272), and fathers (N = 164). Independent analyses for fathers and mothers revealed that for Korean American fathers, both cultural symptoms and somatic symptoms were directly related to youth-reported dimensions of family process and indirectly with youth depression. For mothers, direct and indirect pathways between parental distress (i.e., culturally specific and somatic symptoms) and youth depression were non-significant. Our findings suggest that family interventions with Korean immigrant families should consider cultural and gender-specific factors in both parental mental health and family relationships.

Validation of the Korean Parental Depression Literacy Scale.

The aim of the present study was to validate the Korean American Parental Depression Literacy Scale (Parental D-Lit Scale), which was modified from Griffith's Depression Literacy Scale based on expert reviews, individual and focus group interviews, and a cross-sectional, self-administered survey. Survey participants included Korean American mothers (n=107, 74.8%) and fathers (n=36, 25.2%) of adolescent children. We examined reliability and validity using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and correlational and comparison analyses. The scale showed moderate reliability and validity (α=0.72) and content validity (scale-level content validity index=0.875). EFA resulted in a three-factor model, and CFA showed a close fit to the data (root mean square error of approximation=0.056). Reliability indices indicated that total scale scores were more useful for examining depression literacy than subscale scores. Criterion validity was supported by statistically-significant correlations in the expected direction between depression literacy and other theoretically-related constructs, including attitudes towards mental health-care services (+), depression stigma (-), recognition of depression (+), and acculturation (+). The Parental D-Lit Scale scores showed statistically-significant mean differences between parents who identified depression in a vignette (mean=18.3, standard deviation (SD)=2.9) and those who did not (mean=16.8, SD=4.0), indicating the discriminant validity of the scale. The Parental D-Lit Scale shows promise for use by psychiatric/mental health nurses in assessing the effectiveness of educational and clinical interventions. Additional research should employ larger samples in various regions of the USA.

The Effects of Korean American Mothers’ Husband Support, Depression, Parenting Self-Efficacy, and Parenting Behavior on Children’s Self-Esteem

This study investigated the relationships between the husband`s support, depression, parenting self-efficacy, and parenting behavior of Korean American mothers and their children`s self-esteem. The participants were 113 Korean American child-mother dyads (grades 3-8) from Southern California, USA. The data, including the mothers` parenting behavior as assessed by their children, were collected from self-report questionnaires. A path analysis indicated that the effects of the above mentioned variables on the children`s self-esteem depended on the subscale model of the parenting behavior. In every subscale model of parenting behavior, the husband`s support was positively related to the parenting self-efficacy and the mother`s depression was negatively related to the parenting self-efficacy. Further, in the warmth-acceptance model, the husband`s support was positively related to the parenting behavior, the mother`s depression was negatively related to the parenting behavior, parenting self-efficacy was positively related to both the parenting behavior and the children`s self-esteem, and the parenting behavior was positively related to the children`s self-esteem. In the rejection-restriction model, the husband`s support was negatively related to the parenting behavior, the mother`s depression was positively related to the parenting behavior, the parenting self-efficacy was negatively related to the parenting behavior and was positively related to the children`s self-esteem, and the parenting behavior was negatively related to the children`s self-esteem. In the permissiveness-nonintervention model, the parenting behavior was negatively related to the children`s self-esteem. These results, particularly the dependence on the subscale model of parenting behavior, will be helpful in understanding the effects of parenting on Korean American children`s self-esteem.

An Analysis on the Raising Experience of Korean American Mothers with Children with Disabilities

An Analysis on the Raising Experience of Korean American Mothers with Children with Disabilities

Self-Construal as a Predictor of Korean American Women's Intention to Vaccinate Daughters against Human Papillomavirus.

Korean Americans represent one of the fastest growing Asian subpopulations in the United States. Despite a dramatic reduction in incidence nationwide, cervical cancer remains a major threat for Korean American women. By preventing the strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) known to cause cervical cancer, the HPV vaccines appear to be a promising solution to reduce the persistent disparities in cervical cancer among not only Korean Americans, but also other racial and ethnic minorities more generally. However, current literature lacks a better understanding of how cultural and behavioral factors influence Korean American women's intention to vaccinate their adolescent daughters against HPV. This manuscript presents the results of testing the mechanisms through which interdependent self-construal (an orientation of self in which individuals define themselves primarily through their relationships with others), attitudes, and subjective norms impact Korean American mothers' intention to vaccinate their daughters. Our findings suggest that self-construal holds promise for health communication research to not only uncover the rich variance of health-related beliefs among individuals of shared cultural descent, but also to understand the context in which these beliefs are embedded.

Toward Relationship‐Directed Parenting: An Example of North American Born Second‐Generation Korean‐American Mothers and their Partners

Historically, parenting has been constructed hierarchically; however, contemporary parenting models frequently emphasize parenting as relationship (Siegel & Hartzell [2004] Parenting from the inside out: How a deeper self-understanding can help you raise children who thrive; Tuttle, Knudson-Martin, & Kim [2012] Family Process, 51, 73-89). Drawing on interviews with 20 North American born second-generation Korean-American mothers and their partners, and sensitized by TP-CRO, a social constructionist framework for conceptualizing parent-child relational orientations, this grounded theory analysis identified three main processes that facilitate relational connection as a parenting orientation rather than the rule-directed approach historically associated with first-generation immigrant Asian families. These include: (a) emphasizing dominant culture values; (b) inviting open communication; and (c) promoting mutuality. Results also show how parents integrate collectivist cultural values of their first generation immigrant parents' traditional culture into North American parenting ideals with which they primarily identify. The study demonstrates the usefulness of the TP-CRO for understanding parent-child relationships within multicultural parenting contexts and offers suggestions for working with second-generation Korean families.

The Self-Sufficiency Experience of Korean-American Single Mothers with the History of Domestic Violence in Poverty

The Self-Sufficiency Experience of Korean-American Single Mothers with the History of Domestic Violence in Poverty

Helping our Children with Homework: Homework as an Activity of Anxiety for First Generation Bilingual Korean American Mothers

This study aimed to understand communicative and socialization practices of immigrant bilingual families in everyday learning situations by examining interactions between parents and children in the United States. Drawn on language socialization theory and socio-cultural factors influencing immigrants, this study explored how three Korean American mothers struggled as they helped their children with homework by interviewing the mothers and observing mother-child interaction during homework time. The study paid attention to the emotional values of immigrant parents that they tried to teach their children who are members in two distinctive communities, such as Korean American and mainstream American. The findings showed that parental socialization practices had effects on children`s emotional and social competence and at the same time the socialization process was bidirectional. Mothers started with Korean values, but they faced challenges with the English language, different demands for American homework, and children`s rejection of their attempts. Mothers needed to change their strategy and borrow American ways of keeping emotional distance from their children by acknowledging their independence. Their struggles are discussed with attention to their language choice and culture.

Korean American Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities Reveal Their Experiences Communicating with European American Rehabilitation Counsellors

This study explored the consumer-reported communication patterns between rehabilitation professionals and ethnically diverse clients who are parents of children with developmental disabilities. Informants were Korean American mothers (n= 10) of children with developmental disabilities (n= 10) who were receiving services from a community rehabilitation agency. Interview data were collected and thematically analysed. The findings suggest that Korean American mothers were not likely to openly discuss possible options for their children with their rehabilitation counsellor. About 60% of participants stated that they worked with at least one counsellor whose communication they felt was ineffective. The findings of this study are congruent with the previous research findings that Koreans emphasize e harmonious relationships. Multicultural competences are important for counsellors with culturally and linguistically diverse clients.

성인 애착 표상의 세대간 전이 : 미주 한인 1세대 어머니와 대학생 자녀를 중심으로

성인 애착 표상의 세대간 전이 : 미주 한인 1세대 어머니와 대학생 자녀를 중심으로

The preliminary effect of a parenting program for Korean American mothers: A randomized controlled experimental study

Background Traditional Korean American discipline is characterized by a lack of expression of affection and use of harsh discipline. Objective The purpose of this study was to pilot test the effect of the Incredible Years Parenting Program among Korean American mothers. Methods A randomized controlled experimental study design was used; 29 first-generation Korean American mothers of young children (3–8 years old) were randomly assigned to intervention ( n=20) and control ( n=9) groups. Intervention group mothers received a 12-week parenting program. Control group mothers did not receive the intervention. Mothers reported on discipline styles (positive, appropriate, and harsh), level of acculturation, and their child's outcomes (behavioral problems and social competence) at pre-, post-, and 1-year follow-up intervals. Results After completing the program, intervention group mothers significantly increased use of positive discipline as compared to control group mothers. Among intervention group mothers, high-acculturated mothers significantly increased appropriate discipline whereas low-acculturated mothers significantly decreased harsh discipline. In the 1-year follow-up, intervention group mothers maintained the significant effect for positive discipline. Conclusions Providing this program appears to be a promising way of promoting positive discipline among Korean American mothers.