Depression Among Korean Immigrant Elders Living in Canada and the United States: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Korean immigrant elders in North America experience a high level of depression. This study explored the correlates of depression among a sample of 245 Korean immigrant elders living in metropolitan cities in Canada (n = 128) and a southwestern state in the United States (n = 117), using a stress-coping framework. Results revealed discrepancies between the 2 subgroups. Years since immigration and number of health concerns were positively associated, and English proficiency was negatively associated with depressive symptoms among Korean immigrant elders in the United States; only health status was significant among Korean immigrant elders in Canada. Implications of the study are presented.

The Relationship between Neuroticism, Hopelessness, and Depression in Older Korean Immigrants

“…Older Korean immigrants with severe neuroticism are more likely to experience higher levels of depression. This result is consistent with previous studies [ 26 , 6 , 7 ]. It is defined that neuroticism is a fundamental personality trait characterized by anxiety, worry, and excessive stress [ 5 ].…”

“…Neuroticism is a personality trait characterized by worry, moodiness, and nervousness [ 5 ]. Higher levels of neuroticism have been positively associated with depressive symptoms among the general population of older adults in the U.S. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]. Hayward and colleagues [ 4 ] found that decreasing neuroticism can result in an improvement of depression in their study of 112 older adults with major depression.…”

Association Between Perceived Social Support and Depressive Symptoms Among Community-Dwelling Older Chinese Americans

“…Immigrants who migrate in mid-adulthood or later may be particularly slow to adapt to a new society ( W. Kim, Kang, & Kim, 2015 ). Older immigrants are more likely to have depression due to limited English proficiency, cultural adjustment difficulties, stresses from changes in social status, and intergenerational differences in acculturation, breakdown of traditional support systems, financial strain, racial prejudice and discrimination ( G. Kim, Jang, Chiriboga, Ma, & Schonfeld, 2010 ; Park & Roh, 2013 ; Zhang, Fang, Wu, & Wieczorek, 2013 ).…”

“…Older immigrants are more likely to have depression due to limited English proficiency, cultural adjustment difficulties, stresses from changes in social status, and intergenerational differences in acculturation, breakdown of traditional support systems, financial strain, racial prejudice and discrimination ( G. Kim, Jang, Chiriboga, Ma, & Schonfeld, 2010 ; Park & Roh, 2013 ; Zhang, Fang, Wu, & Wieczorek, 2013 ). In addition, older adults are more likely to encounter significant life changes, such as deteriorating health, reduced financial ability, or the loss of a loved partner, resulting in a higher risk of depression ( W. Kim et al, 2015 ). Late-life depression may reduce the quality of life, worsen physical functioning and cognition, and increase health care costs ( Cotrena, Branco, Kochhann, Shansis, & Fonseca, 2016 ; Steensma et al, 2016 ).…”

“…According to the stress process framework, disadvantaged individuals, such as immigrants and the elderly, are particularly vulnerable to social stressors ( Pearlin, 1989 ). Social support is an important factor known to moderate the deleterious effects of acculturation stress ( W. Kim et al, 2015 ; B. J. Kim, Sangalang, & Kihl, 2012 ). The concept of perceived social support (PSS) refers to an individual’s sense that others will provide help when they are in need ( Cohen, 2004 ).…”