Gender Differences in Factors Contributing to Depressive Symptoms Among Korean Immigrants

Background and Purpose:

The primary purpose of this study is to examine the gender variations in depressive symptoms among Korean immigrants. Immigration requires changes in the lifestyle and behaviors of individuals. While adjusting to a new environment, Korean immigrants undergo multiple changes that may increase their vulnerability to psychopathology such as depression. Previous findings identified relevant variables affecting the changes in depressive symptoms among this group. In addition to the individual characteristics, the depressive symptoms of Korean immigrants are associated with English proficiency, economic status, and coping resources. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the gender difference in depressive symptoms among these immigrants. The following questions guided this study: (1) Is there a gender difference in the level of depressive symptoms among Korean immigrants?  (2) What are the factors contributing to depressive symptoms among Korean immigrant men and women?                                                                                   

Methods:

This cross-sectional study employed a non-probability sampling procedure. The participants were adult Korean immigrants who immigrated to the United States at the age of 18 or older. In addition to individual characteristics, the data collection procedure involved a self-administered anonymous survey consisting of five standardized Korean language instruments. Data collected from 242 voluntary participants were analyzed using t-test and hierarchical multiple regression (R²).

Results:

The findings suggest no significance differences in depressive symptoms between Korean immigrant men (M= 9.85, SD=7.81) and women (M= 11.13, SD=7.41) ; t (235) = 1.28, p = .20. The hierarchical multiple regression (R²) analyses demonstrated that coping resources, economic hardship, family cohesion, and individual characteristics explained approximately 24 percent of the variance in depressive symptoms among men (F (9, 86) = 3.02; p <.001) and 35.3 percent of the variance in depressive symptoms among women (F (9, 120) = 7.28; p <.01). Of all factors included in the analysis, length of stay in the United States (5.2%) and sense of self-esteem (4.5%) were found to be related to the depressive symptoms among men. In contrast, sense of self-esteem (10.96%) and social support (9.49%) were found to be significantly related to depressive symptoms among women.

Conclusions and Implications:

This study addresses a number of cross-cultural practice and research implications. Although the difference in depressive symptoms between Korean immigrant men and women are not statistically significant, the findings suggest the gender variations in factors contributing to the changes in depressive symptoms. For women, coping resources play significant roles in alleviating their depressive symptoms. In contrast, the length of stay in the United States appears to be associated with alleviating depressive symptoms among men. As their length of residency extends, Korean immigrant men can find opportunities to improve their social and economic conditions. Such experiences can positively affect the mental health of Korean immigrant men.  Future studies should examine the impacts of social interactions and economic circumstance on the changes in depressive symptoms among Korean immigrant men and women.