Older adults with functional limitations may be at higher risk for depression and suicidal ideation compared to their counterparts without such limits. This study examined the structural relationships between functional limitation, depression, suicidal ideation, and coping strategies in older Korean immigrants. Using data from 220 community dwelling Korean immigrants (age ≧ 65) in Los Angeles County, path analysis was conducted to test the study hypotheses. The resulting model accounted for 56 % of the variance in suicidal ideation, with functional limitation making significant contribution to suicidal ideation. Meanwhile, depression, which had the strongest direct effects on suicidal ideation, also played a significant role in mediating between functional limitation and suicidal ideation. Furthermore, adaptive coping was significantly associated with both functional limitation and suicidal ideation. Findings provide implications for implementing suicide-prevention programs for older Korean immigrants, especially those living with functional disability. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Suicidal ideation Older Korean immigrants Depression Coping Functional limitation

South Korea depression Republic of Korea human epidemiology sex difference daily life activity Activities of Daily Living Stress, Psychological mental stress time factor coping behavior Time Factors Aged Adaptation, Psychological ethnology Humans migrant psychology California Asian Americans male Emigrants and Immigrants Asian American Aged, 80 and over Socioeconomic Factors very elderly risk factor Risk Factors socioeconomics female age Sex Factors Age Factors Los Angeles suicidal ideation