Depression Among Elderly Korean Immigrants

Exploring Socio-Cultural Factors

Bibliographic Data

ID12759684
AuthorsHee Y Lee (University of California, Los Angeles, corresponding author), Ailee Moon (University of California, Los Angeles), Bob G Knight (0000-0002-1092-1407, University of Southern California)
Year2004
Volume13
Issue4
Pages1-26
Publication date2004-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1531-3204 • E-ISSN: 1531-3212
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1300/j051v13n04_01
OpenAlexW1494341294
LanguageEN
Citations received27
References cited80

This study examined predictors of depression in a sample of 95 elderly Korean immigrants aged 60 or over. Depression among Korean immigrants was hypothesized to be associated with socio-demo-graphic and cultural factors, including health status, gender, education, financial status, acculturation level, familism, social support, especially from the family, and family relationships. A face-to-face interview was conducted in Korean using a structured questionnaire. Depression in this study was measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression (CES-D) Scale. A substantial percentage of the sample was experiencing a high level of depression. The mean score on the CES-D scale was 15.1, slightly below 16, a cut-off score for clinical depression, and almost 40% of the respondents scored 16 or above on the scale, indicating a high rate of clinical depression for the study sample. In multiple regression analyses, perceived health status and education were significant predictors among socio-demographic factors. Among cultural factors, acculturation status was not a significant predictor; however, positive support from the family and family relationships were significantly associated with depression. The role of family as a risk factor for depression in older Korean immigrants and implications for mental health policy, programs, and future research are discussed

Acculturation · Anxiety · Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale · Depression (economics · Depressive symptoms · Family support · Immigration · Mental health · Psychiatry · Scale (ratio · Social support · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Health and Wellbeing Research · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology · Epidemiology · Gerontology

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