For Asian immigrants, immigration has the potential to disrupt all familiar routines. That is a threat to their health and well-being. This grounded theory study explored how immigrants adjust to a new environment by analyzing the experiences of 25 Korean immigrants in New Zealand. The findings suggest that immigration is a stress-inducing phenomenon that requires adjustment of valued activities and adversely affects their health. In response, participants worked on regaining control over disrupted activities by opting for two world perspectives. The study helps social workers to develop effective interventions and services for immigrants to better handle health problems. © 2016 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Occupation health disparities Grounded theory Korean activities Immigration

South Korea immigrant Republic of Korea methodology human wellbeing immigration daily life activity middle aged health status Global perspective ethnology social worker Social Work qualitative research interview Humans migrant health impact psychology Interviews as Topic male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation female human activity occupation stress cultural factor adult grounded theory human experiment New Zealand public health Korea