J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2013 Dec;24(4):438-450. 10.12799/jkachn.2013.24.4.438.

Acculturation, Social Network, and Health-related Quality of Life in Korean-Chinese Immigrants

• Lee M
• Lee H
• Kim S
• Jang Y

• KMID: 2292736
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2013.24.4.438

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to identify relationships between acculturation, social network, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Korean-Chinese immigrants.
METHODS
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 147 Korean-Chinese immigrants who were residing more than 1 year in Korea. Physical and mental dimensions of HRQOL were assessed by Short Form-12 Health Survey that consisted of a physical component summary (PCS) and a mental component summary (MCS). Data were analyzed with Pearson's correlation and multiple regression.
RESULTS
The mean PCS score was 41.14+/-10.72 and the mean MCS score was 49.09+/-11.31 (possible range 10-70). Depression (beta=-6.43) and Social network frequency (beta=2.44) explained 28.4% of the variance in PCS while depression (beta=-11.54) and visiting clinic/hospital (beta=-4.00) explained 34.3% of the variance in MCS. Acculturation was not significantly associated with HRQOL.
CONCLUSION
This study confirmed that the social network frequency influences HRQOL among Korean-Chinese Immigrants. The findings suggest that social network analysis should be considered in the process of developing health intervention strategies for Korean-Chinese immigrants.

Keyword

Immigrants; Acculturation; Social network; Quality of life

MeSH Terms

Acculturation*
Depression
Emigrants and Immigrants*
Health Surveys
Humans
Korea
Quality of Life*

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