Factors Influencing Depression in Married Immigrant Women in Korea

Ha, Ju Young; Kim, Yoon Ji

doi:2013.19.4.254

Korean J Women Health Nurs > Volume 19(4); 2013 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2013;19(4):254-264.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2013.19.4.254 Published online December 31, 2013.

Factors Influencing Depression in Married Immigrant Women in Korea

Ju Young Ha, Yoon Ji Kim

College of Nursing, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea. gadget-@hanmail.net

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing depression of married immigrant women in Korea.
METHODS
Participants included 127 married immigrant women who met eligibility criteria and agreed to participate in the study. Participants were evaluated for subjective assessment of married immigrant-related constructs using a self-report questionnaire, for depression, acculturation stress, and social support. The analysis was done using SPSS for Windows, version 18.0, and included stepwise regression.
RESULTS
The major findings were as follows; 1) Depression significantly differed according to native country, length of residence in Korea, education, family monthly income, household and primary support. 2) There were significant relationships between marital life satisfaction (r=-.80, p<.001), acculturative stress (r=.78, p<.001), and social support (r=-.20, p = .025). 3) Marital life satisfaction, family monthly income, acculturative stress, primary support and social support were significant factors, which explained 84.6% of the variance in depression (F=138.04, p<.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that a powerful predictor of depression for married immigrant women was marital life satisfaction.
CONCLUSION
Based upon the findings, this study provides useful information that could assist in reducing depression among married immigrant women, and indicates that nursing interventions are needed.

Key Words: Immigrants; Depression; Stress; Social support; Acculturation; Marriage; Personal satisfaction