Korean-Chinese Migrant Workers Research Articles

Living labs for a mobile app-based health program: effectiveness of a 24-week walking intervention for cardiovascular disease risk reduction among female Korean-Chinese migrant workers: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe risk of Cardiovascular disease (CVDs) among adult populations is influenced by environmental factors, and immigrant populations tend to be more vulnerable. This study examined the effectiveness of a 24-week walking program based on social-cognitive determinants through mobile app for CVD risk reduction among female Korean-Chinese middle-aged workers.MethodsThis study used a parallel randomized controlled trial. Participants were recruited by distributing posters and flyers and randomly assigned to either the standard treatment (ST, n = 22) or enhanced treatment group (ET, n = 28). Participants were provided with a mobile app linked to Fitbit Alta for 24 weeks and instructed to walk at least 30 minutes five times a week and moderate-intensity physical activity. The ET group had additional interventions that enhanced social-cognitive determinants such as self-efficacy, social support. All participants were guided to voluntary physical activity during the 12-week maintenance period. Data were analyzed by the Mann Whitney U-test and a generalized estimating equation.ResultsThere were significant between-group differences regarding the number of steps (B = 1.295, P < .001) and moderate physical activity time (OR = 6.396, P = .030) at week 12. ET group had significant changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (B = 10.522, P = .007), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (B = -16.178, P = .024), total cholesterol (B = -20.325, P = .039), fasting blood sugar (B = − 8.138, P = -.046). In addition, there was a significant reduction of 10-year CVD risk for the ET group over 12 weeks compared to the ST group (B = -0.521, P<. 001).ConclusionsLong-term studies are needed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in large-scale migrant workers and to confirm the direct and insdirect effects of social-cognitive determinants on health outcomes.Trial registrationThe trial was retrospectively registered in WHO ICTRP (KCT0006467) August 19th, 2021. (https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=KCT0006467,

“We Are Not Foreigners”: Constructing Migrant Subjects through Korean Chinese Migrants’ Claims-Making in South Korea

In this paper, we approach citizenship as a claims-making process consisting of social construction practices that emerge from ongoing negotiations and contestations. We examine the migrant subject-making process of Korean Chinese migrants in South Korea. We draw on the voices of migrants to discuss how Korean Chinese construct their migrant subjectivity by mobilizing a collective understanding of ethnonational belonging and thereby deploy distinctive strategies to support their claims. Our analysis of the data gathered from ethnographic observations and interviews with Korean Chinese migrant workers, activists, South Korean bureaucrats, and policymakers show that Korean Chinese migrants have called upon blood ties and ethnic affinity, continued allegiance, economic contributions, and human rights to construct themselves as legitimate candidates for citizenship in South Korea. By shifting our analytical focus from the state to the migrant subjectivity that emerges through day-to-day negotiations, we aim to unpack the complicated dynamics of social constructions of citizenship.

Prohibition on Changing Workplaces and Fatal Occupational Injuries among Chinese Migrant Workers in South Korea.

We assessed the risk of fatal occupational injuries among migrant workers with two different types of employment permits in South Korea. This observational study used national data from January 2007 to September 2018 and analyzed 42,089 cases of occupationally injured migrant workers of Chinese nationality. Fatality rates were analyzed according to year, sex, age, occupation, industry, and type of employment permit. Chinese workers were permitted to work for one employer and prohibited from changing employers, whereas Korean-Chinese workers were permitted to change their employer. The adjusted fatality rate of occupational injuries of Chinese migrant workers was significantly higher (1.80-fold, 95% confidence interval 1.31–2.46) than that of Korean-Chinese migrant workers. The prohibition on changing workplaces; male sex; age ≥ 45 years; machine operator; construction industry; and agriculture, livestock, and fisheries industry were risk factors for fatal occupational injuries. The results imply a need for revision of the migrant-worker employment permit systems and implementation of occupational safety and health policies for all workers to promote health equity.

A Study on Elderly Care Labor Market and Korean-Chinese Migrant Workers in Korea: Focused on Regulatory Policy

A Study on Elderly Care Labor Market and Korean-Chinese Migrant Workers in Korea: Focused on Regulatory Policy

Culturally Adaptive Walking Intervention for Korean-Chinese Female Migrant Workers.

Although the literature has commonly cited that development of culturally adaptive interventions is key to improving the health outcomes of culturally and linguistically diverse populations, there have been limited culturally adaptive walking interventions specific to Korean-Chinese (KC) migrants. The objective of this study is to describe the process in development of culturally adaptive walking interventions for KC female migrant workers, using the intervention mapping (IM) method. The culturally adaptive walking intervention was developed using the IM method, which is a stepwise theory and evidence-based approach for planning interventions. The IM method process has six steps, including needs assessment, formulation of change objectives, selection of theory-based methods and practical strategies, development of an intervention program, development of an adoption and implementation plan, and development of an evaluation design. The determinants of walking behavior, including knowledge, self-efficacy, social support, and acculturation, were identified through an extensive literature review, community leader interviews, and a survey of female KC migrant workers. Appropriate intervention methods and strategies were identified based on relevant theories. Acculturation was a determinant of exercise behavior, and various methods to improve cultural adaptation were identified in the context of the lifestyles and working environments of the target population. The IM method provided a foundation for creating a health intervention for KC female migrant workers. This method could easily be useful for health care providers working with other groups.

Multiple risk factors for work-related injuries and illnesses in korean-chinese migrant workers.

Korean-Chinese currently represent the largest group of migrant workers in Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of risk factors on the occurrence of work-related injuries and illnesses (WII). Data for 486 Korean-Chinese migrant workers were drawn from the 2010 Migrant Workers' Health and Safety Survey in Korea. Logistic regression was used to identify the association between WII and multiple risk factors. Individual health status (OR = 3.83, 95% CI [2.01, 7.30]), safety training (OR = 0.39, 95% CI [0.18, 0.85]), job satisfaction (OR = 1.90, 95% CI [1.07, 3.38]), physical and chemical hazard exposure (OR = 1.05, 95% CI [1.02, 1.08]), and length of stay (OR = 1.01, 95% CI [1.00, 1.01]) were identified as risk factors for WII. The findings suggest the need for a comprehensive approach to assess WII risk factors, including personal, work organization and psychosocial demands, and acculturation in Korean-Chinese migrant workers.

Application of Community-Based Participatory Research Principles

The primary purpose of this study was to describe the intervention development process using the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) research framework. The intervention was then implemented to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders among female Korean-Chinese migrant workers living in Korea. The secondary purpose was to determine how community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles could be applied to the intervention development process. A literature review, a focus group of the target population, key informant interviews, and community committee meetings with the researchers were conducted. Several CBPR principles, including developing community resources and promoting an equitable partnership between the researchers and the migrant community, ensured the appropriateness of the stretching intervention program for the ethnic migrant group, promoting program participation. It is suggested that occupational health nurses consider the CBPR approach in program development for underserved migrant workers.

Application of Community-Based Participatory Research Principles: Preventing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Female Korean–Chinese Migrant Workers in Korea

Application of Community-Based Participatory Research Principles: Preventing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Female Korean–Chinese Migrant Workers in Korea

Acculturative Stress, Work‐related Psychosocial Factors and Depression in Korean‐Chinese Migrant Workers in Korea

The purposes of this study were to identify the relationships among acculturative stress, work-related psychosocial factors and depression in Korean-Chinese migrant workers living in Korea and to determine whether work-related psychosocial factors mediate the relationship between acculturative stress and depression. A descriptive correlational cross-sectional design was used. A convenience sample of 200 Korean-Chinese full-time migrant workers was recruited, and 170 completed questionnaires were included in the analysis. Acculturative stress was assessed by Sandh and Asrabadi's Acculturative Stress Scale. Work-related psychosocial factors were assessed by job demand, insufficient job control and interpersonal conflict measures from the Korean Occupational Stress Scale. Depression was assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Self-administered or face-to-face surveys were conducted by trained data collectors. Multiple regression and path analysis were used. Roughly 30% of the sample met the criteria for depression. Female workers had significantly higher depression scores than male workers. Acculturative stress and work-related psychosocial factors significantly predicted 26.3% of the variance in depression. A path model revealed the mediating effect of job demand on the relationship between acculturative stress and depression. Our results indicate that work-related psychosocial factors are salient factors that lead to depression among Korean-Chinese migrant workers living in Korea. The results suggest that occupational health-care professionals should promote the prevention and management of depression in this population and highlight the importance of acculturation context in the development of interventions designed to reduce work-related stress.

An Exploratory Study on Death Anxiety among the Aged Migrant Workers -Focused on Korean-Chinese migrant workers-

An Exploratory Study on Death Anxiety among the Aged Migrant Workers -Focused on Korean-Chinese migrant workers-