International Journal of Aging and Human Development
Volume 42, Issue 4, 1996, Pages 313-327

Social support and depression among elderly Korean immigrants in the United States (Article)

Lee M.S.* , Crittenden K.S. , Yu E.
  • a Pai-Chai University, South Korea, Dept. of Home Economics Education, Pai-Chai University, Seo-gu Doma 2 Dong, Taejon, 302-735, South Korea
  • b University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, United States
  • c San Diego State University, CA, United States

Abstract

Based on the integrative concept of social support, we investigated the effects of quantitative, structural, and functional aspects of social relationships on the level of depressive symptoms among elderly Korean immigrants, taking into account their level of acculturation and life stress. Korean elders having more close persons and more frequent contacts with them exhibited fewer depressive symptoms. Networks providing instrumental support consisted mainly of family ties; networks for emotional support included diverse relationships as well as family members. Emotional support was found to moderate the harmful effect of life stress, and thus to be more relevant than instrumental support to the mental health of Korean elderly.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

immigrant depression mental health human wellbeing controlled study Aged social support human relation United States family maladjustment male female stress high risk population cultural factor Article emotion major clinical study adult Korea
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-9344225753&doi=10.2190%2f2VHH-JLXY-EBVG-Y8JB&partnerID=40&md5=aab2af9c356ba280ac15c9f617be47af
DOI: 10.2190/2VHH-JLXY-EBVG-Y8JB
ISSN: 00914150
Cited by: 91
Original Language: English