Changes in Perceived Health and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Analysis with Older Korean Americans

Abstract

The present study examined changes in the perceived health of older Korean Americans (n = 141) over a 2-year period: 2003 (T1) and 2005 (T2). A hierarchical regression model of changes in perceived health was estimated with the following array of predictors: (1) background variables (age, gender, marital status, education, and length of stay in the United States), (2) initial perceived health (T1), (3) physical and mental health conditions at T1 (chronic conditions, functional disability, and depressive symptoms), and (4) changes in physical and mental health conditions (T2 -T1). When the effects of background variables and baseline perceived health were controlled, baseline chronic conditions and changes in both chronic conditions and depressive symptoms were found to predict changes in perceived health. Older individuals who initially had more chronic conditions and those who had experienced an increasing number of chronic conditions and depressive symptoms over 2 years viewed their health more negatively at follow-up. Findings highlight the importance of interventions for disease management and mental health promotion to enhance subjective health among older Korean immigrants.

Social networks, health promoting‐behavior, and health‐related quality of life in older Korean adults

“…In this study, we compared several sociodemographic characteristics, (Jang et al, 2009;Yoo & Zippay, 2012). Interestingly, in the current study, Korean older adult immigrants living in the USA demonstrated a higher HRQOL, regardless of whether or not they lived with others (spouses and/or adult child), compared to Korean older adults.…”

“…These cohabitation statistics are similar to those found in Park and Park’s () study. In both groups, those living with a spouse had the highest level of HRQOL, which supports the findings from a study of Korean older adults (Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, ) and older Korean adult immigrants in the USA (Jang et al ., ; Yoo & Zippay, ). Interestingly, in the current study, Korean older adult immigrants living in the USA demonstrated a higher HRQOL, regardless of whether or not they lived with others (spouses and/or adult child), compared to Korean older adults.…”

“…In addition, we found that having at least some education beyond high school was related to a higher HRQOL in both groups. Most of the immigrant participants in this study had graduated from high school, which was similar to the findings of other immigrant studies (Jang et al ., ; Kim & Lee, ; Park et al, 2013). According to Chung and Cho’s () study, education level positively influenced an older adult’s HRQOL during the latter half of the golden years (i.e.…”

“…In addition to robust and engaging social networks, older adults can improve their health and well‐being through health‐promoting behaviors, such as physical activity, good nutrition, and stress management, which can lead to successful aging (Kim & Sohn, ). To date, studies of older adult immigrants in the USA have primarily examined their physical and mental health, along with QOL, to describe the immigrants’ health status and cultural adaptation (Jang, Chiriboga, Kim, & Cho, ; Roh, Lee, Lee, & Martin, ). Although a few studies have identified the relationship between some aspects of older immigrants’ social determinants of health and QOL (Kim, ; Park, Roh, & Yeo, ), to date, no studies have tried to specifically compare the associations between the social networks, health‐promoting behaviors, and HRQOL of South Korean older adults and Korean immigrants living in the USA.…”

“…In addition to robust and engaging social networks, older adults can improve their health and well-being through health-promoting behaviors, such as physical activity, good nutrition, and stress management, which can lead to successful aging (Kim & Sohn, 2012). To date, studies of older adult immigrants in the USA have primarily examined their physical and mental health, along with QOL, to describe the immigrants' health status and cultural adaptation (Jang, Chiriboga, Kim, & Cho, 2009;Roh, Lee, Lee, & Martin, 2014).…”