Korean American Women Research Articles

Cross-Cultural Assessment of Eating Disorders: Psychometric Characteristics of a Korean Version of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 and the Bulimia Test-Revised

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric characteristics of a Korean version of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2; D. M. Garner, 1990) and the Bulimia Test-Revised (BULIT-R; M. H. Theien, J. Farmer, S. Wonderlich, & M. Smith, 1991). Internal consistency and content validity were examined by administering the Korean EDI-2 and BULIT-R to 224 Korean, bilingual, college women. Construct validity was examined by administering the English and Korean tests to a subset of 145 women 1 week apart. Convergent by wod examined by comparing results of the Korean BUIT-R with the 601-2 Bulimia subscde. High levels of internal comhtency-, and high content, construct, and convergent validity, were obaervedfir the Korean tests. Thu, the Korean EDI-2 and BULIT-R are apprvpriate screening tests for Korean American and Korean women.

Mammography Utilization and Related Attitudes Among Korean-American Women

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess mammography utilization among Korean-American women and to identify their knowledge, attitudes and barriers related to screening. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in the Korean language with a convenience sample of 229 predominantly low-income Korean women 50 years and older residing in Los Angeles. Forty-nine percent had ever had a mammogram, 24% had had a screening mammogram in the past 12 months, and 36% had had one in the past two years. Variables positively related to “ever had a screening mammogram” included: having health insurance; income ≥ $25,000; having received a physician's recommendation to obtain a mammogram; holding positive group norms; longer duration of residency in the U.S.; and greater acculturation. Variables negatively related to screening included: concerns about finding cancer; taking time to get a mammogram; transportation; embarrassment; and discomfort requesting the procedure from the physician. Strategies to increase mammography utilization among Korean-American women are discussed.

Rates and independent correlates of Pap smear testing among Korean-American women.

This study reports population estimates of Pap smear testing among Korean-American women and evaluates correlates of testing. Korean Americans in 2 California counties were surveyed by telephone. Frequencies were age-adjusted to the 1990 census to produce population estimates of testing. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate independent correlates of testing Only 50% of the Korean-American women surveyed had a Pap test in the previous 2 years. The strongest independent correlate was having had a regular check-up in the previous 2 years (odds ratio 7.2, 95% confidence interval 4.2, 12.1). Rates of Pap testing among Korean-American women are well below national objectives. Collaboration and community-sensitive research are essential to collect data and design programs to improve the health of ethnic minority communities.

Mammography and Clinical Breast Examination among Korean American Women in Two California Counties

Background.Mammography and clinical breast examination (CBE) are underutilized, especially by women from some racial/ethnic minorities. Few published studies of screening practices or correlates for these subgroups exist.Methods.A population-based telephone survey of 1,090 Korean Americans living in two California counties was conducted. To produce population estimates of mammography and CBE testing, we adjusted frequencies to account for different selection probabilities. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine independent correlates of testing.Results.Only 34% [95% confidence intervals (CI) 30%, 39%] of Korean American women age 50 and older were estimated to have had a mammogram in the past 2 years. Only 32% (95% CI 28%, 37%) had had a CBE in the past 2 years. The strongest independent correlate of testing was having a regular medical checkup [odds ratio (OR) for mammogram = 9.21, 95% CI 3.98, 21.35; OR for CBE = 11.58, 95% CI 4.71, 28.46].Conclusions.These estimates are lower than the Healthy People 2000 objectives as well as published estimates for other populations in the United States. Planning and implementing tailored programs to improve screening are best done using a community-sensitive approach, which, because racial/ethnic subgroups are growing, will assume increasing public health importance.

Contingent Nationalisms: Renegotiating Borders in Korean and Korean American Women's Oppositional Struggles

Contingent Nationalisms: Renegotiating Borders in Korean and Korean American Women's Oppositional Struggles

Immigration Patterns, Social Support, and Adaptation Among Korean Immigrant Women and Korean American Women.

There are little empirical data available on the mental health and social functioning of Korean American Women (both native U.S. born and foreign Korean-born U.S. residents, inclusive). State-of-the-art research used to inform social work practice is exploratory descriptive. With the goal of contributing to the social work knowledge base regarding this understudied population, this article uses an emic understanding and approach to examine immigration patterns, social support networks, and issues around adaptation experienced by Korean American women. Issues examined include gender role disruption, limited use of social services, and evidence of depressive symptoms in Korean American women and subsequent risk of substance abuse, suicide, battering, loss of employment, deficits in parenting, and mental health problems. Focus on these areas of functioning suggests the need for development of culturally competent community, family, individual, and organizational-level intervention strategies.

Immigration Patterns, Social Support, and Adaptation Among Korean Immigrant Women and Korean American Women.

Immigration Patterns, Social Support, and Adaptation Among Korean Immigrant Women and Korean American Women.

Cervical Cancer Screening: American College of Preventive Medicine Practice Policy Statement

Many Korean-American women (KAW) are unaware of the importance of regular cancer screening. This research estimates rates and examines predictors of regular cervical cancer screening among KAW.Face-to-face surveys were conducted with 459 KAW residing in Maryland. Study participants were recruited through Korean churches and senior housing.Thirty-nine percent of women had regular Pap smears. Regular Pap smear rates varied with age, with women 65 years and older least likely to have regular Pap smears. In multiple logistic regression, the strongest correlate of regular Pap smear was knowledge of guidelines. Physician recommendation, having health insurance, and having friends or family members receiving Pap smears were also important facilitators. Spoken English proficiency interacted with education for an outcome; women with a low level of education and low English proficiency had lower rates of Pap smears than those who had a high level of education and high proficiency. The most frequently given reason for lack of a regular Pap smear was a belief that screening was unnecessary if a woman had no symptoms of cervical cancer.Strategies for education on screening guidelines, along with physician referrals, should be implemented. Culturally appropriate educational programs about cervical cancer screening should be developed for less educated and less acculturated immigrant women.

The Labor of Compassion: Voices of “Churched” Korean American Women

(1996). The Labor of Compassion: Voices of “Churched” Korean American Women. Amerasia Journal: Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 91-106.

Ethnic identity, role integration, quality of life, and depression in Korean-American women

Little is known about how living between two cultures affects the mental health of immigrant women. This study examined the relationships between ethnic identity, role integration, quality of life, and depression in 76 Korean-American women. Quality of life was positively associated with role integration ( r = .68, p < .01). Role integration and quality of life were negatively and significantly associated with depression ( r = −.59 and r = −.72, p < .01, respectively). An exploratory path analysis was performed to examine the relationships between demographic and conceptual variables. Only quality of life and length of residence in the United States were strongly associated with depression. Findings have implications for psychiatric nursing practice.

Psychosocial predictors of depressive symptoms in Korean-American women in New York City.

The purpose of this study was to identify psychosocial predictors of depressive symptoms among Korean-American immigrant women in New York. A sample of 262 women between the ages of 35 and 55 who had resided in the U.S. for 10 years or less completed a survey instrument including measures of depression, acculturative stress, utilization of social support, self-esteem, and socio-economic status. Depressive symptoms were related positively to acculturative stress and negatively to self-esteem and socio-economic status explained significant proportions of variability in depression. Findings suggest a need to implement policies aimed at mitigating the acculturative stresses associated with immigration.

After theSa-i-gu (April 29) Los Angeles riots: Correlates of subjective well-being in the Korean-American community

Using 498 randomly selected Korean residents in Los Angeles from a recent epidemiological health telephone survey, correlates of subjective well-being in the Korean-American community were investigated including riot victim status, perceived riot effects, demographic variables (age, gender, and income), acculturation, and social support and social integration variables, approximately 6 months after the Sa-i-gu (April 29) Los Angeles Riots. Multiple regression analyses indicated that two indices of subjective well-being, general happiness and perceived physical health status, though significantly correlated, appeared to be influenced by different psychological processes. Moreover, significant gender differences were found in various types of correlates in accounting for the two indices of subjective well-being. Overall, of the correlates investigated, demographic (age and income) factors, perceived riot effects, acculturation indices, and social support/social integration contributed to both Korean-American men and women's subjective well-being. Certain effects of social support and social integration were not consistent with past research. Implications for future research and limitations were discussed in terms of community psychology's focus on extraindividual, as opposed to micro-level individual approaches.

Factors predicting depression among Korean-American women in New York

A survey was administered to 262 women aged 35–55 years who had migrated to the U.S. within the last 10 years. The survey included measures of depression, acculturative stress, social support, self-esteem, education, income, age, and length of residence in the U.S. Hierarchical regression analyses in which demographic variables were introduced first indicated that age, education, and income were all significant predictors of depression, with age positively related to depression and education and income negatively related to depression. When acculturative stress, social support, and self-esteem were introduced on subsequent steps, only self-esteem explained significant additional variability in depression. Implications for prevention and treatment programs are discussed.

Food beliefs and diets of pregnant Korean-American women

Food beliefs and diets of pregnant Korean-American women