Correlates of Korean Immigrants?? Mental Health

Abstract

The main objectives of this paper are an empirical investigation of major structural and situational variables related to Korean immigrants'' mental health and a theoretical exploration of the meaning of the empirical findings. As part of a larger epidemiological research, the data for this paper derive from diagnostic interviews of 622 Korean immigrants (20 years and older) residing in the Chicago area. Data analyses reveal that, among the respondents in general, those who are married, highly educated, and currently employed in a high-status occupation indicate better subjective mental health (less demoralized and more satisfied with life) than others. Of other variables examined, however, significant gender differences in the correlates of mental health are observed. For the male immigrants, a set of work-related variables is clearly the strongest correlate of their mental health, whereas no such distinctive set of variables accounts for the female immigrants'' mental health. Nevertheless, the family life satisfaction and several ethnic attachment variables are moderately related to the female immigrants'' mental health. Theoretical implications of these findings are discussed in light of the confluence of ethnic attachment and acculturation on immigrants'' mental health.