The Acculturation and the Mental Health Status of the Immigrants in South Korea

Abstract

Abstract

The Acculturation and the Mental Health Status of the Immigrants in South Korea

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of acculturation on the mental health trajectory of the permanent residents and naturalized citizens. Methods: A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data was conducted using the Survey Data of Foreign Residents in Korea 2012. Independent variable was the acculturation level, measured by the duration of life spent in Korea and the level of Korean proficiency. The duration of life spent in Korea was categorized into five groups (0-3 years, 4-5 years, 6-7 years, 8-9 years, and greater than 10 years). The level of Korean proficiency was categorized into high level, medium level and low level. Dependent variable was the mental health outcome, adjusting for sex, age, nation, type of visa, marital status, education level, income level, and the experience of discrimination. Results: For residents and citizens, the probabilities of having poor mental health was the greatest at 4-5 years, but the health status improved afterwards. The high level of Korean proficiency appeared to have the health protective effect. For residents, predictors for poor mental health include female and highest age group whereas the origin of nation from Japan and high income level predicted for good health. For citizens, female and the origin of nation from Vietnam predicted for poor mental health whereas high income level and married status predicted for good health. The experience of discrimination predicted for poor health for both residents and citizens. Conclusion: The results show that the immigrants in South Korea follow a different health trajectory from the traditional destination countries. Controlling the experience of discrimination resulted in the health protective effect of the language proficiency. The results will be contributing to the new but growing literature of the acculturation and the immigrants health in emerging destination countries. Keywords : Acculturation

Immigrant Health

Permanent Resident

Naturalized Citizen

South Korea