Abstract

Acculturation has been characterized as an important variable in the mental health of ethnic migrant groups. Multidimensional measures of acculturation and ethnic attachment for Korean Americans were developed and assessed based on the secondary data analyses from a random sample of first-generation immigrants from Chicago (N=622). The results obtained provided evidence supporting the associations between acculturation, ethnic attachment, and depressive symptoms.
Acculturation was a significant predictor of depressive symptoms: English familiarity was found to have a negative effect on depressive symptoms, while adoption of American appearances and having individualistic values was positively related. Ethnic attachment appeared beneficial -- preserving Korean heritage and interacting with Korean friends were negatively associated with depressive symptoms. The control variable, length of residency in the U.S. showed an expected negative correlation with depressive symptoms (p < 0.001). Thus, the longer the U.S. residency, the lower the CES-D scores. Additionally, acculturation and ethnic attachment measures showed similar effects for men and women.
“Bicultural (integration)” mode of adaptation had the lowest predicted CES-D score (10.6) significantly lower than assimilation, separation, and marginal mode of adaptation. Future research should be conducted in more heterogeneous samples of Korean immigrants and various geographic locations to explore the relationship between multidimensional measures of acculturation and ethnic attachment and their effects on depressive symptoms among Korean immigrants. It will help our understanding for the mental health implications of international migration.