How Gender and Religion Influence Alcohol Use in Elderly Korean Immigrants

Abstract

This study examined the effects of religion and gender on drinking behaviors among a sample of 148 older Korean immigrants living in a metropolitan area in Canada. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using standardized questions. The mean age of the participants was 74 years (range: 60-97 years). Logistic regression models were used to assess the effects of religion on drinking and heavier drinking and gender differences in correlates of current drinking and heavier drinking. Results revealed that being married and having lower religiosity were significant correlates that increased the odds of being a current drinker. Older Korean men tend to engage in heavier drinking behavior. Higher religiosity, not mere affiliation to Protestant churches, decreased the odds of heavier drinking for both men and women. The odds of heavier drinking increased for depressed men. Study limitations and implications are presented in a cultural context.

The Social Determinants of Depression in Elderly Korean Immigrants in Canada: Does Acculturation Matter?

“…Meanwhile, a higher educational level may produce something other than income. For example, high school graduates may have more memberships to alumni associations, which in turn minimize social isolation (Kim, 2010).…”

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

“…Although there was no systematic comparative study of these two subgroups, it seems that the first group of immigrant elders is more likely to reside within an ethnic enclave in large metropolitan cities, such as New York City or Toronto. They seldom interact with those outside of their own community: having limited English skills, they shop at Korean grocery stores, dine at ethnically-owned Korean restaurants, and attend worship services in ethnic Korean churches (W. Kim, 2012;Mui, Nguyen, Kang, & Domanski, 2007). The second group of Korean immigrant elders tends to be found in smaller cities, where ethnic amenities cannot be found in nearby areas.…”

“…In the history of Korean immigration, Korean ethnic churches, especially Protestant churches, have functioned as both religious and ethnic centers of the Korean community once immigrants arrive in North America, and often provide the social support these immigrants need (Hurh & Kim, 1990;J. H. Kim, 2002;W. Kim, 2012).…”

“…The detailed survey procedures can be found in prior studies (S.-Y. Kang, Domanski, & Moon, 2009;W. Kim, 2012).…”

Religiosity and Alcohol Use: Is Religiosity Important for Abstention and Consumption Levels in the Second Half of Life?

“…conservatism), was related to less alcohol consumption in the second half of life. Further, in a small-scale study conducted among 148 older Korean immigrants (aged 60-97 years) in Canada, it was reported that low levels of religiosity were related to more alcohol consumption (Kim, 2012).…”