Korean J Women Health Nurs.  2011 Jun;17(2):99-108. 10.4069/kjwhn.2011.17.2.99.

Comparison of Stress, Social Support, and Marital Satisfaction between Married Immigrant Women in Urban and Rural Areas

Affiliations
  • 1College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Korea. sukheeahn@cnu.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to compare the levels of stress, social support, and marital satisfaction between married immigrant women living in urban areas and women living in rural areas to identify ways to improve their mental health.
METHODS
Two hundred married immigrant women were recruited from multicultural family-support centers located in Daejeon City and Chungcheong Province. From July, 2009 to January, 2010, data were collected using self-administered questionnaire. Study instruments were scales for acculturative stress, housewives life stress, support from spouse, and marital satisfaction.
RESULTS
Urban married immigrant women had lower levels of acculturative stress and higher levels of support from spouse and more positive marital satisfaction compared to rural women. Both groups reported similar levels of stress in life as a housewife. Factors influencing marital satisfaction in both group were lower levels of acculturative and housewives life stress, higher levels of support from spouse, and living with parents-in-law.
CONCLUSION
Rural married immigrant women may have more problems in adjusting to Korean culture and marriage compared to urban women. Therefore, to improve the physical and psychological wellbeing and marital adjustment of married immigrant women, development of nursing strategies according to area of residence is needed.

Keyword

Immigrants; Women; Marriage; Personal satisfaction; Stress; Social support

MeSH Terms

Emigrants and Immigrants
Female
Humans
Marriage
Personal Satisfaction
Questionnaires
Spouses
Stress, Psychological
Weights and Measures

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Food adaptation and nutrient intake of female immigrants into Korea through marriage
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Life Stress and Coping Style for Stress of Vietnamese Married Immigrant Women
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