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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to increase understanding of Korean immigrants as they transition into American society.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to guide the development of culturally proficient interventions for relocated immigrants.
Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design was used with the following inclusion criteria: (a) at least 18 years of age, (b) self-identify as a Korean immigrant, (c) able to read and write Korean, and (d) residing in the United States. Data collection took place from November to December 2012.
Findings: Thirty Korean immigrants completed this pilot study. The average participant was 43.8 years of age, ranging from 19 to 67 years. Korean immigrants’ mental well-being had a significant inverse relationship with age (r=-.40), family functioning (r=-.38), and social resourcefulness (r=-.42) but significant positive relationships with level of education (r=.38), length of stay in the U.S. (r=.41), self-control (r=.38), and personal lifestyle (r=.41). Hierarchical multiple regression was performed: Step 1, age, level of education, and length of stay in the U.S.; Step 2, behavioral and cultural value acculturation; Step 3, self-control, family functioning, and social resourcefulness; and Step 4, personal lifestyle. The overall model was statistically significant, F(9,20)=5.276, P=.001. Age, cultural value acculturation, and family functioning were significant predictors of mental well-being in Korean immigrants. The model accounted for 70.4% of the variance in mental well-being.
Conclusions: Although Korean immigrants’ mental well-being is not related to behavioral acculturation, cultural value acculturation and family functioning significantly impacted mental well-being. The results highlight the importance of family and culture in Koreans, and point to the need for future studies with larger samples that might address transition in this population.