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

Abstract

There are little empirical data available on the mental health and socialfunctioning of Korean American Women (both native US.-born andforeign Korean-born US. 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. © 1997John Wiley & Sons, Inc. * Korean immigrant women Korean American women social support * culturally competent social work practice • role of the ethnic church Korean women's mental healthThe first Korean immigration to the United were about 70,000 Korean Americans in the States began in 1903 and Korean immigrants United States, with approximately 30,000 Kohave been one of the most rapidly growing reans emigrating annually. Between 1980 ethnic groups in the United States since that and 1990, Korean American immigration intime. According to the 1970 Census, there creased 125.

Factors Influencing Attitudes Towards Seeking Professional Help Among East and Southeast Asian Immigrant and Refugee Women

“…Furthermore, Southeast Asian refugee women were reported to have higher psychological distress than their male counterparts (Chung & Bemak, 2002). Immigrant and refugee women face unique distress, including acculturation stress related to loss of family/social network, social isolation, shifting gender roles, racism, language barriers, loss of employment and socioeconomic status, and intergenerational conflicts (Aroian et al, 1998;Creese et al, 1999;Foss, 1996;Kim & Grant, 1997;Lazarus, 1997;Man, 1996;Pendakur & Pendakur, 1996;Schaafsma & Sweetman, 1999;Um, 1998). Being the caregiver of the family, many immigrant and refugee women also bear the extra burden of helping their family members adjust to the new country (Wong, 1999).…”

Hwabyungand Depressive Symptoms among Korean Immigrants

“…Korean immigrant women appear to be especially vulnerable to hwabyung due to their multiple role obligations as wage earners, mothers, and wives with limited resources (Min, 2001;Kim & Grant, 1997;Park, 2008;Park, Harrison, & Bailey, 2000;Shin & Shin, 1999;Um & Dancy, 1999). Because of racial and language barriers, they work as helpers at restaurants, drycleaners, and grocery stores in their ethnic community.…”

“…The church is an inclusive and accessible social institution regardless of sex, age, or socioeconomic status. It functions as a "reception center" for new immigrants by providing needed assistance for their resettlement, including information and counseling on employment, health care, and children's education (Kim & Grant, 1997). It also plays a role as an educational center where immigrants' children can learn the Korean language, history, and culture.…”

Suicide in Immigrants: An Overview

“…Hispanic Americans instead tended to ask for help from family members or primary care physician, rather than professionals of mental health [58]. Korean immigrants in the United States, despite high levels of depression, used very little local services and sought the support of parishes, friends and relatives [59].…”