Perceptions of Depression in Korean American Immigrants

Abstract

Despite its high prevalence, depression is often unrecognized and untreated in minority immigrants. Culture and environment influence perceptions of depression. The purpose of this study was to understand perceptions of depression (knowledge and coping mechanisms) in Korean American immigrants using focus group discussions. A convenience sample (n = 28) was recruited from Korean communities in the Puget Sound region of Washington State. Participants lacked an understanding of depression. Difficulties from immigration-related environmental changes were the main sources of stress. Immigration-related environmental changes resulted in changes in coping resources. Culture-friendly education and coping resources might benefit this minority group.

A Qualitative Analysis of Stress and Coping in Korean Immigrant Women in Middle-age and Older-adulthood

“…Our finding that most participants considered going to church and having faith as essential to re-establishing life in America is also supported in other studies (Sin, Jordan, & Park, 2011;Sin, Fitzpatrick, & Lee, 2010). The Korean church in America plays an important role in meeting social, educational, and support needs more than the practice of 'religion'.…”

“…Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to explore the sources of stress and coping strategies of Korean immigrant women in middle-age and older-adulthood, using focus group data available from a parent study on depression (Sin, Jordan, & Park, 2011). Middle-age is an important transitional stage, in which one takes on greater responsibility.…”

Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms in Four Ethnic Groups of Midlife Women

“…With hormonal changes during menopausal transition, midlife women experience multiple personal, social, and cultural changes that are frequently linked to negative attitudes such as worries about getting ill and getting old and to feeling less feminine, loneliness, and meaninglessness, subsequently making them at risk of depression (Judd et al, 2012). However, depression is often unknown and untreated in midlife women, especially in those from ethnic minority groups (Sin, Jordan, & Park, 2011). Furthermore, ethnic minority midlife women have been reported to hide their symptoms because of their cultural stigma attached to depression (Sin et al, 2011).…”

The effect of a culturally tailored web-based physical activity promotion program on Asian American midlife women’s depressive symptoms

“…Racial/ethnic minorities often tend not to recognize and/or treat depression (Lagomasino et al, 2005;Sin, Jordan, & Park, 2011). Furthermore, racial/ethnic minority immigrants are less likely to be diagnosed compared with non-immigrants, even with those from the same race/ethnicity (Gwynn et al, 2008).…”

“…Furthermore, racial/ethnic minority immigrants are less likely to be diagnosed compared with non-immigrants, even with those from the same race/ethnicity (Gwynn et al, 2008). Immigrants hardly seek treatment or management of their depression and prematurely quit treatment or management of their depression (Lagomasino et al, 2005;Sin et al, 2011). Furthermore, midlife with hormonal changes is the stage of life with various…”