The Impact of Economic Stress and Coping Resources in Predicting Hwabyung Symptoms

Background and Purpose:

The primary goal of this study is to examine the impact of economic stress on the changes in hwabyung symptoms among Koreans in the United States. Hwabyung is an indigenous psychiatric illness commonly found in Korean culture and its literal meaning is fire illness. Almost 12% of Korean immigrants suffer from hwabyung. This means that the prevalence of hwabyung among Koreans in the United States is higher than we find in Korea, which is estimated to be 4.1% among its general population. However, little is known about the role of economic stress and coping resources in predicting hwabyung symptoms. The following question guided the current study: What is the relative importance of economic stress, coping resources, and the differences in individual characteristics on hwabyung symptoms?

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 four standardized Korean language instruments. Data collected from 242 voluntary participants were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression (R²)

Results:

The hierarchical multiple regression (R²) analyses demonstrated that individual characteristics, economic stress, self-esteem, and social support explained 37% of the variance in hwabyung symptoms (F (10, 212) = 12.44; p <.001). When assessed separately from other variables, economic stress alone explained 2.25% of the variance in hwabyung symptoms. However, of all the factors included in the analysis, social support (14.44%) and sense of self-esteem (4.84%) were found to be the strongest predictors in explaining hwabyung symptoms along with having a graduate school education in the United States (1.69%), and being a woman (1.21%).

Conclusion and Implications

The findings of the current study address a number of cross-cultural practice and research implications. Social workers should be familiar with specific symptom features of hwabyung in order to provide culturally appropriate mental health services to Korean immigrants. For many Korean immigrants, their ethnic communities become a wonderful source of social support and enhanced self-esteem by providing economic opportunities and a sense of ethnic solidarity. Through accessible, affordable and flexible educational programs, Korean immigrants will find opportunities for advancing their professional credentials and English proficiency. They can promote the positive social integration of Korean immigrants and their economic stability. Such positive experiences can ensure the psychological well-being of Korean immigrants. When working with Korean immigrant women, social workers need to assess their experiences of economic hardship and family conflicts, which may contribute to the increased levels of hwabyung symptoms. The findings of this study suggest the significant role that coping resources play in reducing hwabyung symptoms. Future studies should identify factors affecting changes in the level of social support and self-esteem among Koreans in the United States.