Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Volume 37, Issue 3, 2011, Pages 43-52

Perceived health, life satisfaction, and cardiovascular risk factors: Among elderly Korean immigrants and elderly Koreans (Article)

Sin M.-K.* , Chae Y.-R. , Choe M.-A. , Murphy P. , Kim J. , Jeon M.-Y.
  • a College of Nursing, Seattle University, Seattle, WA, United States
  • b Department of Nursing, Kangwon National University, Kangwon, South Korea
  • c College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
  • d College of Nursing, Seattle University, Seattle, WA, United States
  • e School of Nursing, Soon Chun Hyang University, South Korea
  • f Department of Nursing, Keukdong College, Buk-Do, South Korea

Abstract

Acknowledging that changes in socio-cultural environment influence health status, the purpose of this study was to compare perceived health, life satisfaction, and cardiovascular health in elderly Korean immigrants and elderly Koreans. In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 88 elderly Korean immigrants and 295 elderly Koreans 65 and older were recruited from Korean communities in the United States and Korea. Respondents' perceived health was measured by self-assessment; life satisfaction was self-assessed using a dichotomous scale of general satisfaction with life; and cardiovascular health status was surveyed by self-report of major diagnosed cardiovascular risk factors (i.e., hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus) and body mass index measurement for obesity. Despite having better perceived health and life satisfaction, elderly Korean immigrants also had higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. The findings provide health care providers with useful information for effective health assessment of minority immigrants. © SLACK Incorporated.

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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79953057857&doi=10.3928%2f00989134-20100930-02&partnerID=40&md5=4cd04661da63fcb3d6aaa363fa10c1cb
DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20100930-02
ISSN: 00989134
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English