A Comparative Study on Spiritual Well-being and Perceived Health Status between Korean and Korean-American

Park, Jeong Sook; Jang, Hee Jung

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to compare spiritual well-being and perceived health status between Korean and Korean-American and to provide basic data that might develop comprehensive health care program including spiritual dimension. METHOD: The subject of the study were 411 adults chosen from religious organization located in Gyeongsang Province, Korea and Chicago, U.S.A.. The instruments used in the study were Spiritual Well-being Scale by Paloutizian and Ellison and Health Self Rating Scale by North Illinois University. Analysis of data was done by using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, ANCOVA, ANOVA and Duncan test with SPSS program. RESULT: 1) The mean score of spiritual well-being of Korean was 3.17 and Korean-American was 2.63, there was significant difference between two groups. 2) Perceived health status of Korean was 2.37 and perceived health status of Korean-American was 2.54, there was significant difference between two groups.
CONCLUSION
According to this study, it is important to take into considerations spiritual aspects and cultural and environmental elements in developing the comprehensive health care program.