Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 20, Issue 5, 2018, Pages 1103-1108

Acculturation, Acculturative Stress, and Depressive Symptoms in International Migrants: A Study with Vietnamese Women in South Korea (Article)

Cho Y.J. , Jang Y. , Ko J.E.* , Lee S.H. , Moon S.K.
  • a Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
  • b Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
  • c Department of Counseling, Kyung Hee Cyber University, 26 Kyunghee-daero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
  • d Department of Social Welfare, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
  • e Department of Social Welfare, Daejin University, Pocheon, South Korea

Abstract

Globally, there have been increasing numbers of migrant women; these women are at an increased risk for depressive symptoms. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations among acculturation, acculturative stress and depressive symptoms in Vietnamese women who migrated to South Korea through marriages. We hypothesized that acculturative stress would serve as a mediator in the relationship between acculturation and depressive symptoms. Our findings from surveys with 217 Vietnamese immigrant women showed that the indirect effect of acculturation on depressive symptoms, mediated through acculturative stress [−.15 (.04)], was significant (bias corrected 95% confidence interval for the indirect effect = −.25, −.08). Low levels of acculturation increased acculturative stress, which in turn led to the elevated symptoms of depression. Our findings not only illuminate the adaptation processes of international, female migrants but also suggest avenues to protect and promote their mental well-being. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Author Keywords

International migrants Mental health Acculturative stress Acculturation Depressive symptoms

Index Keywords

Vietnam South Korea depression Republic of Korea mental health human epidemiology middle aged statistics and numerical data Stress, Psychological mental stress coping behavior health status Adaptation, Psychological ethnology income Young Adult Humans migrant psychology Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation Viet Nam female cultural factor adult
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85030842761&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-017-0661-x&partnerID=40&md5=114a5f093070e04bb60643fbc10188d7
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-017-0661-x
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English