Acculturative stress and coping among Korean immigrant elders residing in non-Korean ethnic enclaves

Abstract

Few studies that have been conducted on Korean immigrant elders have been carried out in areas without Korean ethnic enclaves due to their small numbers and proportion. This nonprobability cross-sectional study utilized a structured survey to examine the relationships of acculturative stress, coping, and depressive symptoms among 108 non-institutionalized Korean immigrant elders residing in areas without Korean ethnic enclaves. Multivariate analysis results indicated that acculturative stress might be the most significant risk factor for depressive symptoms, which could decrease coping efficacy of social support and increase somatic symptoms of Korean immigrant elders residing in non-Korean ethnic enclaves. Implications for future research, practice, and policy are discussed.