This qualitative grounded theory study explored stress-coping mechanisms in 14 Korean immigrant women (age ≥40) in the USA, by analyzing existing focus group data about relevant concepts that had been collected in a parent study. Using content analysis, stressors related primarily to socioenvironmental changes following immigration: language barriers, lack of trusting human relationships, and role changes were identified. Both healthy (activities, church, staying busy) and unhealthy (being alone and keeping negative feelings inside) coping strategies were reported by participants. The findings reveal unique aspects of stress-coping among Korean women who had immigrated after being culturally engrained with Confucian influences. © 2015 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

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South Korea Republic of Korea human middle aged Stress, Psychological mental stress Aged Adaptation, Psychological ethnology qualitative research United States Humans migrant psychology Asian Americans Emigrants and Immigrants Asian American female adaptive behavior adult