Leisure is an important quality of life factor for older Korean immigrants. The purpose of this study was to explore leisure benefits associated with health among older Korean immigrants. A total of 18 individuals participated in the study. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), three themes emerged from participants’ personal statements and experiences: (a) experiencing psychological benefits, (b) strengthening social connections, and (c) coping with acculturative stress. The findings indicate that leisure provided a context in which older Korean immigrants created an emotional and social support system that helped them to experience psychological and social benefits. This research suggested that older Korean immigrants used leisure as a coping mechanism that results in health and well-being. © 2016 J. Kim et al.

Social support Psychological wellbeing leisure Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Coping

immigrant leisure Emotions human Stress, Psychological mental stress Aged Adaptation, Psychological social support ethnology qualitative research quality of life United States Humans migrant psychology male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation Aged, 80 and over female very elderly stress adaptive behavior clinical article cultural factor emotion migration Leisure Activities psychological well-being Emigration and Immigration Korea