Korean Immigrant Adults Research Articles

Migratory grief and mental health in first-generation Korean American immigrants.

The purpose of this study was to examine first-generation Korean immigrants' migratory grief in relation to cultural, social, and mental health variables. We examined (a) how behavioral and value acculturation and enculturation as well as mainstream and ethnic connectedness predicted migratory grief and (b) how mainstream and ethnic connectedness moderated the relationships of migratory grief and mental health outcomes (i.e., depression, life satisfaction, positive and negative affect). Data were collected from 188 self-identified first-generation Korean immigrant adults (N = 188, Mage = 43.63, SD = 12.18) and were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression. Age and behavioral enculturation positively predicted migratory grief, while European American values and mainstream connectedness negatively predicted migratory grief. Migratory grief and mainstream and ethnic connectedness had significant main effects on mental health, but social connectedness did not moderate the relationships between migratory grief and mental health. Acculturation, enculturation, and social connectedness were significant predictors of first-generation Korean immigrants' migratory grief. Additionally, migratory grief and social connectedness significantly predicted mental health. We discussed implications for research and practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Language maintenance and ethnic identity among Korean heritage speakers in the Pacific region (Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii)

ABSTRACT This study investigated heritage language (HL) maintenance and ethnic identity among Korean heritage speakers in the Pacific region (Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii), an understudied population in the field. It focused on patterns of language use and factors (i.e. age at immigration (AI), self-rated language proficiency, and frequency of language use) influencing Korean heritage speakers’ self-defined identity. A total of 167 Korean immigrant adults aged 18–40 completed an online survey regarding their HL (i.e. Korean) and majority language (ML) (i.e. English) use in everyday contexts (e.g. with family members and at work), their self-rated HL and ML proficiency, and their sense of identity. The survey results showed high HL use with parents/grandparents at home, high self-rated HL proficiency, and a strong sense of identity as Korean, among participants across the three locations. However, as with other ethnic minority communities, they tended to use ML more than HL in most of their daily activities, and with their siblings and friends, indicating a perceptible shift towards ML. This supports the findings of previous studies conducted in North America. Notably, this study found that AI was significantly correlated to the participants’ self-identification. Regional differences were discussed, along with recommendations for future research.

Exploring Acculturation Experiences of Korean Immigrant Older Adults Through Expressive Writing

Korean immigrant older adults residing in areas without well-established Korean ethnic enclaves experience acculturative stress and depressive symptoms due to their lingual and cultural barriers. Expressive writing can be used as a culturally sensitive intervention to help those immigrants disclose their deepest thoughts and feelings related to their immigration and acculturation experiences. This study gathered qualitative data from the author’s experimental study using expressive writing for first-generation Korean immigrant adults 60 to 88 years of age residing in Midwestern cities. Participants were instructed to write for 15-20 minutes per day in three consecutive days at their convenience in a comfortable and private setting and asked to return their writings by mail. A total of 22 participants returned their writings: 14 wrote about their past and current stressful experiences related to their immigration and acculturation, while eight wrote about their daily lives. Eight themes emerged from thematic coding processes guided by the grounded theory approach: (1) survival, resilience, hardiness, tenacity, pride; (2) lingual barriers; (3) religious faith; (4) gender difference in roles and values; (5) racial discrimination; (6) traditional strategies of acculturation; (7) family and intergenerational gap; and (8) aging. The themes illustrate the participants’ lifelong efforts to shape their unique voices through heart-wrenching struggles, haunting wounds, and ethnic pride and resilience. The study findings suggest that culturally relevant programs and services are needed to facilitate social relationships and reduce lingual and cultural barriers for Korean immigrant older adults residing in non-ethnic enclaves.

Korean immigrants don't buy health insurance: The influences of culture on self-employed Korean immigrants focusing on structure and functions of social networks

Culture has been pinpointed as a culprit of disparities in health insurance coverage between Korean immigrants and other ethnic groups. This study explored specific mechanisms by which culture influences a decision to buy health insurance among self-employed Korean immigrants living in ethnic enclaves by focusing on the structure and functions of social networks. Between March and June 2015, we recruited 24 Korean immigrant adults (aged 18 or older) who identified as self-employed and being uninsured for substantial periods before 2014 in Southern California. Interviews were conducted in Korean, and Korean transcripts were translated into English by two bilingual interpreters. Using constant comparative analysis, we explored why participants didn't purchase health insurance after migrating to the United States and how their social networks influenced their decisions whether to purchase health insurance. Results indicate Korean immigrants sought health information from dense and homogeneous social networks whose members are mostly Korean immigrants embedded in similar social contexts. Social learning was frequently observed when people sought health care while uninsured. However, respondents often noted social ties do not provide helpful information about benefits, costs, and ways to use health insurance. “Koreans don't buy health insurance” was a dominant social norm reported by most respondents. Findings indicate that social learning and normative influence occur inside social networks and these mechanisms seemingly prevent purchasing of health insurance. In addition to the individual mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, more targeted approaches that consider the structure and functions of social networks could improve the public health of Korean immigrants.

Attitudes toward Domestic Violence among Korean Immigrants

This study examined various demographic characteristics, the attitudes toward partner abuse, and the relationship between the attitudes toward partner abuse and the incidence of partner abuse among first generation Korean Americans. The study employed a correlational explanatory design using a cross-sectional survey technique utilizing a total of 223 Korean immigrant adults currently residing in Louisiana. A three-part instrument was used for data collection. The use of domestic violence among Korean immigrants was highly prevalent. Korean Americans generally did not approve the use of interpersonal violence against spouses/partners. The relationship between the attitudes toward partner abuse and the incidence of partner abuse as perpetrator was significantly correlated.

Negative emotions and risk for type 2 diabetes among Korean immigrants.

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between negative emotions and bio-behavioral risk factors among Korean immigrants at risk for type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Data were collected from 148 Korean immigrant adults who are "at risk" for T2DM as defined by having family history of T2DM in first-degree relatives, body mass index greater than 23, or history of gestational diabetes in women. Participants completed questionnaires and underwent biological measures. Negative emotions included feeling nervous, hopeless, restless, anxious, and stressed as well as depressive symptoms. High percentages of participants had T2DM risk factors including overweight, greater than normal waist to hip ratio, and blood glucose readings that are indicative of T2DM. Feeling stressed was the most commonly reported negative emotion (66%), followed by feeling anxious (51%), restless (38%), nervous (30%), and hopeless (13%). Experience of negative emotions was significantly related to behavioral risk factors; higher levels of experiencing negative emotions were related to increased soda intake and a decreased likelihood of doing at least 10 minutes of moderate exercise. Stress and anxiety were each negatively related to moderate exercise, and depressive symptoms were negatively related to both moderate and vigorous exercise. No significant relationship was found between negative emotions and biological risk factors. Findings suggest that negative emotions, individually and taken together, may be related to T2DM risk behaviors in high-risk Korean immigrants. Behavioral interventions to prevent T2DM in this population should consider assessing and addressing negative emotions.

Contributors to Depressive Symptoms Among Korean Immigrants With Type 2 Diabetes

Patients with diabetes have a higher prevalence of depression than the general population. Korean immigrants with type 2 diabetes are understudied. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in Korean immigrants. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, a community sample of 164 Korean immigrant adults with type 2 diabetes were assessed for depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. Predictors of depression were grouped into three categories: demographic (age, gender, education, English proficiency), clinical (duration of diabetes, comorbidities, insulin use), and psychosocial (general health, diabetes-related quality of life [QOL], family support). Approximately 56% of participants had Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale scores of ≥16. Higher levels of depression were associated with greater impact of diabetes on QOL (b = 5.68, p = .001), worse overall health (b = -0.09, p = .012), and less family support (b = -4.02, p = .042). The relationship between depression and diabetes impact on QOL was stronger for men than women (b = 6.67, p = .020). Depressive symptoms are common among Korean immigrants with type 2 diabetes. Assessing diabetes-related QOL, general health, and family support may be of value in better understanding depressive symptoms among this population. Among Korean immigrant men with type 2 diabetes, specific attention should be paid to diabetes-related QOL.

Negotiating old and new ways: contextualizing adapted health care-seeking behaviors of Korean immigrants in Hawaii

Objective. Korean immigrants have been identified as one of the most disadvantaged ethnic groups in terms of health insurance coverage and health care access in the USA. Korean immigrants enjoyed access to primary and preventive care services in their home country. This study explores how Korean immigrants' health-seeking behaviors are reconstructed by contextualizing their health care experience and adaptation process in Hawaii. Design. Face-to-face individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 recently arrived Korean immigrant adults in Hawaii, who were selected by a purposive sampling method. Results. A diminution of seeking professional health care services after immigration was the prominent change in their health care behaviors. They delayed seeking primary care, underused preventive care, extended self-diagnosis and self-treatment, and practiced more treatment- and emergency-oriented care. New immigrants also adopted ethnic enclave health care and transnational health care as alternative strategies to meet their health care needs given the structural and cultural constraints. Sociocultural contexts of both home and host countries shaped the behavioral changes and adoption of alternative health care strategies, interplaying with an individual's characteristics. Lack of health insurance and unfamiliarity with the health care system were the most important factors in the decision whether to and when to seek professional health care, while the lack of English proficiency and cultural concerns were the major determinants of where to get health care. Conclusions. The study suggested that efforts should be concentrated to minimize structural barriers to health insurance and to improve health care access through policy interventions. Ethnic networks and ethnic media could be used as an effective informational reservoir for introducing various health care resources, disseminating information, and navigating new immigrants to the health system and services. Utilizing ethnic health care facilities and professionals would foster the promotion of immigrant health care without language and cultural challenges.

Hepatitis B and liver cancer beliefs among Korean immigrants in Western Washington

Hepatocellular cancer occurs more frequently among Koreans, Vietnamese, and Chinese than other racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. This excess risk can be attributed to high rates of chronic hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection and low rates of HBV vaccination among Asian immigrants. However, there is little available information regarding the hepatitis B knowledge, beliefs, and practices among Koreans, the fifth-largest Asian population in the U.S. This brief report summarizes results from 30 qualitative interviews and two focus groups investigating hepatitis and liver cancer prevention, behavior, and beliefs among first-generation Korean immigrant adults ages 18-64 years residing in the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area of Washington State. The report concludes with suggestions for future investigations to address the high rates of chronic HBV infection and hepatocellular cancer in this vulnerable population.

ATTITUDES TOWARD PARTNER ABUSE AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE INCIDENCE OF PARTNER ABUSE AMONG FIRST GENERATION KOREAN-AMERICANS

This study examined various demographic characteristics, the attitudes toward partner abuse, and the relationship between the attitudes toward partner abuse and the incidence of partner abuse among first generation Korean-Americans. The study employed a correlational explanatory design using a cross-sectional survey technique utilising a total of 223 Korean immigrant adults currently residing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. A three-part instrument was used for data collection. The use of domestic violence among Korean immigrants was highly prevalent. Korean-Americans generally did not approve the use of interpersonal violence against spouses/partners. The relationship between the attitudes toward partner abuse and the incidence of partner abuse as perpetrator was significantly correlated.

The Korean American Dream: Immigrants and Small Business in New York City.

Korean immigrants to the United States establish their own small businesses at a rate exceeding that of immigrants from any other nation, with more than one third of all Korean immigrant adults involved in small businesses. Kyeyoung Park examines this phenomenon in Queens, New York, tracing its historical bases and exploring the transformation of Korean cultural identity prompted by participation in an enterprise. Park documents the ways in which Korean immigrants use entrepreneurship to improve the quality of their lives, focusing on their concerns and anxieties, as well as their joys. The concept of anjong is crucial to the lives of first-generation Korean Americans in Queens, Park explains. The word may be translated as establishment, stability, or security, and it identifies a particular concept of success through which Koreans make sense of the American ideology of opportunity. What they seek is not great wealth or social position but rather the creation of their own small businesses as a way of realizing the American dream. The pursuit of anjong is important enough to justify changes in gender and kinship relations, resulting in the rise of a Korean American women-centered and sister-initiated kinship structure. Commitment to the concept has also inspired a different understanding of class, ethnicity, and race, and stimulated new religious ideas and practices.