PURPOSE: Many Koreans go abroad for work, study or permanent migration. As they adapt to their new environment, they can suffer from various health problems. This article aims to gain a greater understanding of the experiences of Korean immigrants in Canada. This study reports the findings of a grounded theory study. METHODS: In-depth unstructured interviews were conducted with 18 Korean immigrants in Vancouver. Data was audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using constant comparative analysis. RESULTS: Six main categories emerged: motivation, confronting, suffering, efforts to adapt, assimilation, and conflict. A basic social process model of adaptation to life in Canada was developed reflecting the inter-relationships between these categories. Data extracts was presented to illustrate the grounding of the model in participants accounts. CONCLUSION: Immigrants need empathetic support and cultural understanding; this study increases the understanding of the Korean immigrant population, which should help in the design of effective coping strategies that consider the particular characteristics and problems of immigrants.
Acculturation ; Canada* ; Emigrants and Immigrants* ; Emigration and Immigration ; Humans ; Life Change Events ; Motivation ; Qualitative Research ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based intervention program for depressive symptoms management among Korean adults. METHODS: After the first author developed a user-centered design website intended to manage the depressive symptoms of the general public, two hundred and seventy two participants were screened and randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. These subjects underwent a 12-week nonequivalent pretest and post.test evaluation program to determine changes in their depression scores, which were measured using the Korean Depression Scale. Subjects' unique IP addresses were used for monitoring their access periods on the website. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the baseline and outcome characteristics of both experimental and control groups. Moreover, findings revealed that the total depression score of the experimental group (who accessed the developed web-site three times a week with at least an hour per session) showed to have decreased immensely with a mean of 5.57. On the contrary, only a 0.09 point difference resulted between the pre and post tests of the control group (who accessed other depression management websites generally available). CONCLUSIONS: Web-based interventions could be an effective and inexpensive means of managing depressive symptoms of Koreans. Findings from this effectiveness study of an internet-based program could also be used by a variety of audiences including government agencies, educators, and health care professionals concerned with mental health promotion and prevention.
Adult ; Delivery of Health Care ; Depression ; Government Agencies ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Internet ; Management Information Systems ; Mental Health

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to construct a structural equation model that would further explain the continuously increasing substance use disorder in Korean adolescents. METHODS: Survey visits using a structured questionnaire were conducted with 3,885 students in 2 middle schools and 2 high schools in Busan. A total of 13 instruments were used in this model. The analysis of data was done with both SPSS 14.0 for descriptive statistics and AMOS 5.0 for covariance structure analysis. RESULTS: Based on the constructed model, belief on substance use was found to have a significantly direct effect in influencing adolescent substance use. In addition, other factors such as family environment, satisfaction with school life, self-concept, social support, and personality vulnerability indirectly affected substance use. The final modified model yielded Chi-square=2,987 (p<.001), df=121, 2/df=22.1, GFI=.96, AGFI=.93, NFI=.91, PNFI=.72, PGFI=.72, RMSEA=.07 and exhibited fit indices. CONCLUSION: This study constructed a model that addresses the factors related to adolescent substance use and explains the relationship of these factors in influencing substance use among Korean adolescents. Findings from this study can contribute to designing appropriate prevention strategies to reduce substance related disorders in adolescents.
Adolescent ; Adolescent Behavior ; Family Relations ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; *Models, Psychological ; Personality ; Questionnaires ; Self Concept ; Social Support ; Substance-Related Disorders/prevention & control/*psychology

PURPOSE: Purposes of this study were to explore the experiences of Filipinas living as foreign wives in Korea and to formulate a substantive theory that explains the basic social process of adjusting to life as a foreign wife in Korea. METHODS: This descriptive qualitative study utilized the grounded theory design. In-depth, semi-structured, audio-taped interviews were conducted with 10 Filipino immigrant wives in Korea. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Strauss and Corbin's constant comparative analysis. RESULTS: Six main categories emerged: aspiring, confronting, suffering, coping, assimilating, and regretting. Fundamental to these was the core category of embracing a new life. A theoretical model showing the basic social processes of adjusting to life as a foreign wife in Korea was developed to reflect the inter-relationships among these categories. Extracts of the data were presented to illustrate the grounding of the theoretical model in the participants' accounts. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study provide an increase in the understanding of Filipino immigrant wives, which should help in designing effective coping strategies that consider the particular characteristics and problems of Filipino immigrant wives. Programs under existing policies need to undergo continuous improvement in order to increase the well-being of these immigrant wives.
Acculturation ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Emigration and Immigration ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Change Events ; Models, Theoretical ; Qualitative Research ; Spouses ; Stress, Psychological