N S Park
Biographic Data
| ID | 1707407 |
|---|---|
| NAME | N S Park |
| GIVEN NAMES | N S |
| FAMILY NAME | Park |
| SIGNATURE | PARK N S |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of South Florida |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-1751-182X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 42 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 122 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 42 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1996 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 7 |
The Role of Perceived Sleep Quality in Mental and Cognitive Health
This study examined the association between perceived sleep quality and mental and cognitive health among older Korean Americans residing in subsidized senior housing. Survey data from 318 participants (Mean age = 79.5, SD = 6.66) were analyzed. Sleep quality was measured using a single-item self-rating (excellent/very good/good vs. fair/poor). Both screening tools and self-ratings were used for outcomes: mental health with the Patient Health Que…
Relationship of Living and Eating Arrangements to Mental Distress Among Older Korean Immigrants
This study examined how different living/eating arrangements were associated with loneliness and depressive symptoms among older Korean immigrants. We examined gender differences considering: (1) patterns of living/eating arrangements and their relations with loneliness and mental distress and (2) indirect effect of living/eating arrangements on mental distress through feeling lonely. Data were drawn from the Study of Older Korean Americans that …
Dementia Care Decisions, Caregiving Situations, and Formal Service Use in Korean Immigrant Families
Given the significant role of culture and place in dementia caregiving, we conducted a qualitative study with Korean American family caregivers of persons with dementia. Guided by the sociocultural model of dementia caregivers’ service use, we explored the categories of care decisions, caregiving situations, and formal service use within the context of culture and place. Data from in-depth interviews with 16 Korean American dementia caregivers li…
Factors Associated With Dietary Risks in Older Korean Americans
Given the importance of healthy eating in the later years of life, the present study examined factors associated with dietary risks in older Korean Americans. We hypothesized that dietary risks would be associated with sociodemographic disadvantages, adverse health conditions, and limited sociocultural resources. Dietary risks were assessed with a scale covering five behavioral and situational risk factors (eating alone, skipping meals, functiona…
The Relations of Social Network Types With Mental Distress Among Older Korean Americans
The purpose of this study is to identify social network types in older Korean Americans and to examine their direct associations, as well as interactions with living arrangement, on mental distress. Drawn from the Study of Older Korean Americans (SOKA), participants were aged 60 or over and lived in five states. Analyses included 2,140 cases surveyed during 2017−2018. To identify social network types, latent profile analyses were conducted using …
Older Korean Americans’ Perceived Burdensomeness to Their Healthcare Partners
Objectives: The objective is to examine how older Korean Americans' perceived burdensomeness to their healthcare partners is associated with the characteristics of older adult participants ( egos ) and their healthcare partners ( alters ). Methods: Surveys of 2150 participants in the Study of Older Korean Americans provided ego data. Participants were also asked to list up to three individuals whom they usually asked for help on health-related ma…
The Mental Health Benefit of Friend Networks in Older Korean Americans
We not only confirmed the health-promoting role of friend networks and the value of a close-knit family but also found that the benefit of friend networks was pronounced when quality of the family relationship was impaired. Our findings called renewed attention to older immigrants' social convoys of family and friends, suggesting that the enhancement of friend networks could be particularly advantageous for older immigrants with dysfunctional fam…
Relationship of social isolation with mental distress among older Korean Americans
Social isolation has been associated with poor mental health outcomes, particularly for older immigrants who do not have a protective social environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of social isolation (living alone, marginal family ties and marginal friend ties) with mental distress and to examine the moderating role of social cohesion (family cohesion and community cohesion). We hypothesised that social isolati…
The Role of Social Networks on Depressive Symptoms
The purpose of this study was to examine the correlates of depressive symptoms among older Korean adults in three geographic locations with varying densities of the Korean population: mainland Korea (mostly Koreans), New York metropolitan area (high Korean density), and west central Florida (low Korean density). The study focused on the role of family and friend networks. Data were drawn from three sources: (1) a multistage national sample of Kor…
WHO’s Global Age-Friendly Cities Guide
This study analyzed the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Age-Friendly Cities Guide to observe its role in embodying social inclusion of older adults in attempts to prevent social exclusion. Social exclusion refers to the marginalization of individuals and groups from important economic and social opportunities in the society. Many aging societies are implementing social inclusion of older adults as one of their key policy agendas to creat…
Discordance Between Subjective and Objective Cognitive Function in Older Korean Americans
Objectives: To examine predictors of membership in discordant groups identified by subjective and objective measures of cognitive function. Methods: Participants in the Study of Older Korean Americans ( N = 2046) were classified according to their subjective cognitive ratings ( excellent / very good / good vs. fair / poor ) and Mini-Mental State Examination scores (normal cognition vs. cognitive impairment), yielding two discordant groups: (1) po…
Bridging Potential in Friend Networks and Cognitive Function in Older Korean Americans
Findings underscore the interconnectedness of older immigrants' social and cognitive function and shed light on interventions
Social isolation in Asian Americans
The study findings expand our understanding of the multiple domains of social isolation in an understudied population and emphasize the importance of developing prevention and intervention programs to foster social connectedness among Asian Americans. Our findings on risk factors and ethnic variations help identify the groups to be prioritized in intervention efforts and suggest ways to approach them
Perceived racial discrimination and mental distress in older Korean Americans
Ethnic resources are a benefit in coping with experiences of discrimination. The moderating role of sense of community suggests the value of fostering social capital in ethnic communities to protect and promote older immigrants' mental health
The Effect of Social Capital and Family Support on Loneliness among Korean Adults
The purpose of this study was to investigate intergenerational differences in the associations of social capital attributes (family network, friend network, community cohesion) and perceived family support (instrumental, informational, emotional) with loneliness among Korean adults. Interview data were collected from participants aged 18+ in South Korea during 2017 (Ng= 1,017), classified by three age groups (18–44, 45–64, 65+). In regression mod…
Profiles of Social Engagement and Their Association With Loneliness and Self-Rated Health Among Older Korean Immigrants
The purposes of this study were to (1) develop a typology of social engagement in older Korean immigrants in the United States and (2) compare the groups in the typology regarding their level of loneliness and self-rated health. Data were drawn from the Study of Older Korean Americans covering the five geographic locations ( N = 2,149). Using eight criterion variables concerning the type and frequency of activities, latent profile analysis identi…
Self-rated Physical, Mental, Oral, and Cognitive Health in Older Korean Immigrants
Latent profile analysis of cultural and racial socialization among White adoptive mothers of Chinese girls
Measurement equivalence of English versus native language versions of the Kessler 6 (K6) Scale
The use of languages other than English in population-based surveys is necessitated by the linguistic diversities in the United States. However, inclusion of multiple languages in survey data collection raises concerns about whether an instrument administered in different languages functions equivalently across groups. Using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale 6 (K6), the present study examined differential item functioning (DIF) between sur…
Preference for patient–provider ethnic concordance in Asian Americans
Objectives: The present study examined factors associated with the preference for patient-provider ethnic concordance in Asian Americans. Design: With data drawn from the 2015 Asian American Quality of Life Survey ( N = 2535), a logistic regression model of the preference for patient-provider ethnic concordance was tested with demographic (age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education), health and access (chronic medical conditions, self-rate…
Loneliness as a mediator in the relationship between social engagement and depressive symptoms
The purpose of this study was to examine whether loneliness mediates the relationship between social engagement and depressive symptoms and to determine how age moderates the mediation effect. Data for this study came from the survey with community-dwelling adults aged 18 and older in South Korea, from March to April 2017. The total of 1,017 respondents were drawn from three age groups (18-44, 45-64, or 65 and older). The mediating effect of lone…
Mental Health Service Use and Perceived Unmet Needs for Mental Health Care in Asian Americans
Asian Americans’ concerns and plans about Alzheimer's disease
Responding to the increase of the Asian American population and the growing imperative to address issues on Alzheimer's disease (AD) in diverse populations, this study examined Asian Americans' concerns about AD (both concerns about one's own development of AD and about becoming an AD caregiver) and plans for AD. Focus was given on exploring the role of AD exposure, AD literacy and cultural beliefs about AD in predicting AD-related concerns and p…
The risk typology of healthcare access and its association with unmet healthcare needs in Asian Americans
Using data from the 2015 Asian American Quality of Life Survey (N = 2,609), latent profile analysis was conducted on general (health insurance, usual place for care and income) and immigrant-specific (nativity, length of stay in the U.S., English proficiency and acculturation) risk factors of healthcare access. Latent profile analysis identified a three-cluster model (low-risk, moderate-risk and high-risk groups). Compared with the low-risk group…
Latent profiles of acculturation and their implications for health
The present study identified profiles of acculturation in Asian Americans and explored their implications for health. Pointing out the upward selection bias of Asian Americans in English-only surveys, the study calls attention to the importance of obtaining Asian American samples that reflect the group's cultural and linguistic diversities. Data were drawn from 2,602 participants (age range = 18-98) in the 2015 Asian American Quality of Life (AAQ…
An Empirical Typology of Social Networks and Its Association With Physical and Mental Health
Notably, no distinct network solely composed of friends was identified in the present sample of older immigrants; this may reflect the disruptions in social convoys caused by immigration. The findings of this study promote our understanding of the unique patterns of social connectedness in older immigrants
The Mediating Role of Loneliness in the Relation Between Social Engagement and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Korean Americans
Our findings suggest that loneliness may explain the mechanism by which deficits in social engagement exerts its effect on depressive symptoms and that gender differences should be considered in interventions targeting social engagement for mental health promotion
Mental Health Service Use and Perceived Unmet Needs for Mental Health Care in Asian Americans
Latent profiles of acculturation and their implications for health
The present study identified profiles of acculturation in Asian Americans and explored their implications for health. Pointing out the upward selection bias of Asian Americans in English-only surveys, the study calls attention to the importance of obtaining Asian American samples that reflect the group's cultural and linguistic diversities. Data were drawn from 2,602 participants (age range = 18-98) in the 2015 Asian American Quality of Life (AAQ…
Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Association Between Symptoms of Depression and Self-rated Mental Health Among Older Adults
Preference for patient–provider ethnic concordance in Asian Americans
Objectives: The present study examined factors associated with the preference for patient-provider ethnic concordance in Asian Americans. Design: With data drawn from the 2015 Asian American Quality of Life Survey ( N = 2535), a logistic regression model of the preference for patient-provider ethnic concordance was tested with demographic (age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education), health and access (chronic medical conditions, self-rate…
Loneliness as a mediator in the relationship between social engagement and depressive symptoms
The purpose of this study was to examine whether loneliness mediates the relationship between social engagement and depressive symptoms and to determine how age moderates the mediation effect. Data for this study came from the survey with community-dwelling adults aged 18 and older in South Korea, from March to April 2017. The total of 1,017 respondents were drawn from three age groups (18-44, 45-64, or 65 and older). The mediating effect of lone…
Social Capital in Ethnic Communities and Mental Health
Willingness to use mental health counseling and antidepressants in older Korean Americans
In addressing mental health problems and promoting the use of mental health services, cultural beliefs and stigma shared within an ethnic community should be considered. Given that disbelief in the medical model of depression and family shame reduced willingness to use mental health counseling and antidepressants, promoting mental health literacy for older immigrants could be beneficial
Risk Factors for Social Isolation in Older Korean Americans
The common and specific risk factors should be incorporated in programs to reduce social isolation in older immigrant populations
Early Adolescent Pathways of Antisocial Behaviors in Poor, Inner-City Neighborhoods
The change and stability of antisocial behavior during adolescence has triggered interest in a number of social scientific disciplines. This article longitudinally examines pathways of antisocial behavior among predominantly African American adolescents residing in inner-city, poor neighborhoods. Data were collected from 354 youth (ages 12 through 15) in an ongoing longitudinal study designed to identify the life-course trajectories of behaviors …
Social isolation in Asian Americans
The study findings expand our understanding of the multiple domains of social isolation in an understudied population and emphasize the importance of developing prevention and intervention programs to foster social connectedness among Asian Americans. Our findings on risk factors and ethnic variations help identify the groups to be prioritized in intervention efforts and suggest ways to approach them
Asian Americans’ concerns and plans about Alzheimer's disease
Responding to the increase of the Asian American population and the growing imperative to address issues on Alzheimer's disease (AD) in diverse populations, this study examined Asian Americans' concerns about AD (both concerns about one's own development of AD and about becoming an AD caregiver) and plans for AD. Focus was given on exploring the role of AD exposure, AD literacy and cultural beliefs about AD in predicting AD-related concerns and p…
Pathways and predictors of antisocial behaviors in African American adolescents from poor neighborhoods
Social engagement and its relationship to service provision in residential care and assisted living
The purpose of this study was to categorize the underlying constructs of social activity participation in a residential care and assisted-living population, determine the extent of social engagement and how it varies by facility type, and relate social engagement to service provision. Data were collected for 2,078 residents of 193 facilities in Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, and North Carolina participating in the Collaborative Studies of Long-Te…
Bridging Potential in Friend Networks and Cognitive Function in Older Korean Americans
Findings underscore the interconnectedness of older immigrants' social and cognitive function and shed light on interventions
The risk typology of healthcare access and its association with unmet healthcare needs in Asian Americans
Using data from the 2015 Asian American Quality of Life Survey (N = 2,609), latent profile analysis was conducted on general (health insurance, usual place for care and income) and immigrant-specific (nativity, length of stay in the U.S., English proficiency and acculturation) risk factors of healthcare access. Latent profile analysis identified a three-cluster model (low-risk, moderate-risk and high-risk groups). Compared with the low-risk group…
Dental Care Utilization and Unmet Dental Needs in Older Korean Americans
Our findings underscore the vulnerability of individuals who are culturally and linguistically isolated and lack family resources, and they highlight the importance of incorporating social and cultural factors in intervention efforts
Perceived racial discrimination and mental distress in older Korean Americans
Ethnic resources are a benefit in coping with experiences of discrimination. The moderating role of sense of community suggests the value of fostering social capital in ethnic communities to protect and promote older immigrants' mental health
Mental health literacy in religious leaders
Although religious leaders in ethnic minority communities are often the first point of contact for mental health needs, little is known about their mental health literacy. The aim of the current study was to explore the knowledge and beliefs about depression held by Korean American clergy, using a qualitative approach. The Gateway Provider Model (GPM) and Jorm's conceptualisation of mental health literacy served as a framework for the enquiry. Se…
Attitudes Towards Reclassifying Academic Titles in New Zealand Universities
This paper presents the results of a survey of academic staff at New Zealand universities to determine their attitudes towards the current British system of academic titles compared with the US system. A questionnaire was developed and sent to a stratified random sample of 1340 academic staff selected from the 7 universities in New Zealand. A total of 671 valid responses was received. The responses were analysed statistically by university, facul…
Social engagement and its relationship to service provision in residential care and assisted living
The purpose of this study was to categorize the underlying constructs of social activity participation in a residential care and assisted-living population, determine the extent of social engagement and how it varies by facility type, and relate social engagement to service provision. Data were collected for 2,078 residents of 193 facilities in Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, and North Carolina participating in the Collaborative Studies of Long-Te…
Early Adolescent Pathways of Antisocial Behaviors in Poor, Inner-City Neighborhoods
The change and stability of antisocial behavior during adolescence has triggered interest in a number of social scientific disciplines. This article longitudinally examines pathways of antisocial behavior among predominantly African American adolescents residing in inner-city, poor neighborhoods. Data were collected from 354 youth (ages 12 through 15) in an ongoing longitudinal study designed to identify the life-course trajectories of behaviors …
Religiousness and Social Integration in Assisted Living
The positive effects of religiousness on coping with transitions and other challenges in life are well documented. However, little is known about specific roles that religious beliefs and activities provide for residents who are becoming integrated into assisted living (AL) settings. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and meanings associated with religiousness among AL residents. Qualitative data were collected via semi-stru…
Pathways and predictors of antisocial behaviors in African American adolescents from poor neighborhoods
The Mediating Role of Loneliness in the Relation Between Social Engagement and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Korean Americans
Our findings suggest that loneliness may explain the mechanism by which deficits in social engagement exerts its effect on depressive symptoms and that gender differences should be considered in interventions targeting social engagement for mental health promotion
Typologies of Religiousness/Spirituality
An Empirical Typology of Social Networks and Its Association With Physical and Mental Health
Notably, no distinct network solely composed of friends was identified in the present sample of older immigrants; this may reflect the disruptions in social convoys caused by immigration. The findings of this study promote our understanding of the unique patterns of social connectedness in older immigrants
Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Association Between Symptoms of Depression and Self-rated Mental Health Among Older Adults
Dental Care Utilization and Unmet Dental Needs in Older Korean Americans
Our findings underscore the vulnerability of individuals who are culturally and linguistically isolated and lack family resources, and they highlight the importance of incorporating social and cultural factors in intervention efforts
Relationship between perceived neighborhood environment and depressive symptoms in older Korean Americans
Risk Factors for Social Isolation in Older Korean Americans
The common and specific risk factors should be incorporated in programs to reduce social isolation in older immigrant populations
Emotional Confidants in Ethnic Communities
Our findings suggest the value of SNA as a means of identifying the key emotional confidants in the community and utilizing them in community-based interventions
Social Capital in Ethnic Communities and Mental Health
Job-Seeking Behavior in Young Adults
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the association between extended unemployment insurance (UI) benefits and young adults’ job-seeking behavior. In particular, the study evaluated if the extension of UI benefits to 99 weeks in 2008 had direct effects on job search efforts. Three waves (2007–2009) of data (N = 915) from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth were analyzed using multiple regression models to assess the association …
Willingness to use mental health counseling and antidepressants in older Korean Americans
In addressing mental health problems and promoting the use of mental health services, cultural beliefs and stigma shared within an ethnic community should be considered. Given that disbelief in the medical model of depression and family shame reduced willingness to use mental health counseling and antidepressants, promoting mental health literacy for older immigrants could be beneficial
Mental health literacy in religious leaders
Although religious leaders in ethnic minority communities are often the first point of contact for mental health needs, little is known about their mental health literacy. The aim of the current study was to explore the knowledge and beliefs about depression held by Korean American clergy, using a qualitative approach. The Gateway Provider Model (GPM) and Jorm's conceptualisation of mental health literacy served as a framework for the enquiry. Se…
Asian Americans’ concerns and plans about Alzheimer's disease
Responding to the increase of the Asian American population and the growing imperative to address issues on Alzheimer's disease (AD) in diverse populations, this study examined Asian Americans' concerns about AD (both concerns about one's own development of AD and about becoming an AD caregiver) and plans for AD. Focus was given on exploring the role of AD exposure, AD literacy and cultural beliefs about AD in predicting AD-related concerns and p…
The risk typology of healthcare access and its association with unmet healthcare needs in Asian Americans
Using data from the 2015 Asian American Quality of Life Survey (N = 2,609), latent profile analysis was conducted on general (health insurance, usual place for care and income) and immigrant-specific (nativity, length of stay in the U.S., English proficiency and acculturation) risk factors of healthcare access. Latent profile analysis identified a three-cluster model (low-risk, moderate-risk and high-risk groups). Compared with the low-risk group…
Latent profiles of acculturation and their implications for health
The present study identified profiles of acculturation in Asian Americans and explored their implications for health. Pointing out the upward selection bias of Asian Americans in English-only surveys, the study calls attention to the importance of obtaining Asian American samples that reflect the group's cultural and linguistic diversities. Data were drawn from 2,602 participants (age range = 18-98) in the 2015 Asian American Quality of Life (AAQ…
Measurement equivalence of English versus native language versions of the Kessler 6 (K6) Scale
The use of languages other than English in population-based surveys is necessitated by the linguistic diversities in the United States. However, inclusion of multiple languages in survey data collection raises concerns about whether an instrument administered in different languages functions equivalently across groups. Using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale 6 (K6), the present study examined differential item functioning (DIF) between sur…
Preference for patient–provider ethnic concordance in Asian Americans
Objectives: The present study examined factors associated with the preference for patient-provider ethnic concordance in Asian Americans. Design: With data drawn from the 2015 Asian American Quality of Life Survey ( N = 2535), a logistic regression model of the preference for patient-provider ethnic concordance was tested with demographic (age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education), health and access (chronic medical conditions, self-rate…
Loneliness as a mediator in the relationship between social engagement and depressive symptoms
The purpose of this study was to examine whether loneliness mediates the relationship between social engagement and depressive symptoms and to determine how age moderates the mediation effect. Data for this study came from the survey with community-dwelling adults aged 18 and older in South Korea, from March to April 2017. The total of 1,017 respondents were drawn from three age groups (18-44, 45-64, or 65 and older). The mediating effect of lone…
Mental Health Service Use and Perceived Unmet Needs for Mental Health Care in Asian Americans
Latent profile analysis of cultural and racial socialization among White adoptive mothers of Chinese girls
Psychology (37 works) · Medicine (33 works) · Gerontology (26 works) · Health disparities and outcomes (26 works) · Sociology (25 works) · Psychiatry (23 works) · Clinical Psychology (15 works) · Mental health (15 works) · Social Psychology (15 works) · Ethnic group (14 works)