What Does Depression Mean for Korean American Elderly?: A Qualitative Follow-Up Study

OBJECTIVE: Korean American Elderly (KAE) have high rates of depression but underuse mental health services. The purpose of this study was to assess the meaning of depression and help seeking among KAE residing in the United States who have clinically significant depressive symptoms. METHODS: As a follow up to the Memory and Aging Study of Koreans (MASK; n=1,118), a descriptive epidemiological study which showed that only one in four of KAE with clinically significant depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9≥10) used mental health services, we conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with participants with clinically significant depressive symptoms regarding the meaning of depression and beliefs about help seeking. Ten participants with clinically significant depressive symptoms were approached and 8 were recruited for semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: KAE did not identify themselves as depressed though experiencing clinically significant depressive symptoms. They associated depression with social discrimination, social isolation, and suicide in the extreme circumstance. They attributed depression to not achieving social and material success in America and strained relationships with their children. Participants attempted to self-manage distress without telling others in their social network. However, KAE were willing to consult with mental health professionals if the services were bilingual, affordable, and confidential. CONCLUSION: KAE with clinically significant depressive symptoms are a vulnerable group with need and desire for linguistically and culturally relevant mental health services who are isolated due to a complex array of psychological and social factors.

The Predictors of Subjective Well-Being among Older Adults / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to explore the predictors of subjective well-being of Korean older adults. METHOD: Data were collected through the structured interview using questionnaire with 199 older adults over 60 years. To identify the most effective predictor of the SWB, a stepwise regression analysis was conducted on each subscale of SWB measure. RESULTS: The results showed that receiving support from family was the effective factor of life satisfaction. Receiving support from family, health, optimism, economy, positive reappraisal, and giving support to family were the effective factors of emotional well-being. CONCLUSION: This study found that family support was the most important predictor on SWB among Korean older adults.