Age Differences in Stressors,Coping Resources,and General Well-Being Among Korean Immigrants

ABSTRACT

 This study explored 346 Korean immigrants living in California to examine: a) differences in stressors, coping resources, and general well-being (anxiety, depression, positive well-being, self-control, vitality, and general health) between younger (18–64 years old) and older (65–96 years old) Korean immigrants; and b) differences in associations of stressors and coping resources with general well-being in the 2 groups. Results revealed that the older immigrants experienced higher levels of socioeconomic stressors and psychological/physical problems. In addition, English-language problems, low education, and financial difficulties were more consistently associated with lower levels of general well-being in the older immigrants than in the younger immigrants. Social support, religious practice, and spiritual coping were more likely to alleviate the detrimental consequences of stressors on general well-being in the older immigrants than in the younger immigrants. To improve the general well-being of older Korean immigrants, the results suggest: a) emphasis of social and health care services with bilingual capability; b) improved social support systems; and c) utilization of spiritual assessments and interventions. Future research should extend the current study with longitudinal data of a more generalizable sample of Korean immigrants.     

Tolerance of Elder Abuse and Attitudes Toward Third-Party Intervention Among African American,Korean American,and White Elderly

SUMMARY

Studies have found that professionals and the lay public differ consistently from one another in the ways in which they perceive elder abuse. A potential variable that may explain this observed difference is cultural norms among ethnic groups. Using 18 statements, this study examined similarities and differences among elderly from three ethnic groups in their tolerance for potential elder abuse, perceptions regarding perpetrators and the causes of elder abuse, and attitudes toward third-party intervention and reporting of elder abuse to the authorities. Results suggest that while African American and White elderly are remarkably similar in their responses to most statements, Korean American elderly differed significantly from the other two groups in their tolerance for medical mistreatment, financial exploitation and neglect, perceptions of causes, and attitudes toward reporting elder abuse. These findings have implications for understanding potential barriers to preventive outreach efforts, investigation, and intervention in cases of elder abuse in a culturally diverse community.     

Social Service Outreach Programs Using Elderly Korean Immigrants' Church Ties

ABSTRACT

This study examined how Protestant Korean-American churches and their pastors can serve as ties between Korean seniors and agencies that offer social services. Working in partnership with the North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging (NCTAAA) and 2-1-1 services at United Way, the researcher asked 53 Korean pastors in two counties in North Central Texas to participate in the study. Each was asked about his willingness to host an outreach program. Thirty telephone surveys and 11 face-to-face interviews inquired about current services and pastor willingness to serve as gatekeepers for seniors. Translation and transportation were the top social service needs. All pastors in the study agreed that their churches should be a vehicle to provide social service information to seniors. Indeed, five churches accommodated program outreach offered by the NCTAAA and 2-1-1 services. The host churches tended to have highly structured, regularly scheduled programs (e.g., ethnic senior schools) already in place. A total of 405 Korean seniors participated in the outreach events, and 28 seniors were assisted in benefit counseling by telephone. Altogether, the results suggest that social service agencies can use the church ties of Korean seniors for program outreach.     

Korean American Dementia Family Caregivers’ Experience of a Psychoeducational Support Group: Investigation of Role of Culture

Seven Korean American dementia family caregivers participated in a psychoeducational group. A focus group was conducted to explore the effectiveness of the group work model. Analysis of the focus group presented four themes: (1) importance of education about dementia, (2) social support from other Korean caregivers, (3) role of language and Korean culture, and (4) heterogeneity of caregivers' needs. Implications for social work practice, policy, and research are provided.     

Assessment of Alzheimer’s Disease Symptom Recognition in Korean Americans and Psychometric Analysis of Alzheimer’s Disease Symptom Recognition Scale (ADSRS)

This study examined recognition of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms among Korean Americans (KAs) and assessed psychometric properties of the Alzheimer’s Disease Symptom Recognition Scale (ADSRS). A cross-sectional survey collected data from 209 KAs, using a self-administered questionnaire. Results show that KAs recognized symptoms related to memory and cognitive functioning well, but had very limited recognition of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Psychometric analysis of ADSRS identified 4 factors in their symptom recognition. Findings suggest a need to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s symptoms over the course of the disease. Assessment using ADSRS can be incorporated in communication in the practice context and public outreach.     

世界城市建设中移民聚居区的出现及其特征体现——基于北京市望京“韩国城”的调研

随着北京世界城市建设步伐的加快,越来越多的外国籍人口来北京定居。迁移者为适应当地社会而展开的行动将对城市的社会结构和制度设置形成挑战。通过对号称＂韩国城＂的望京社区的实地调研,分析了望京＂韩国城＂的形成过程及其作为移民聚居区所具有的性质、特征及意义体现,一定程度上有助于理解北京世界城市建设过程中所展现的一些社会问题。     

风水视阈下的中国东北朝鲜族传统村落环境的选择

风水文化起源于中国,在古代就开始在朝鲜半岛传播和发展,对朝鲜民族居住环境的选择产生了深刻影响。从17世纪至20世纪中叶,陆续有朝鲜族人从朝鲜半岛迁移到中国东北地区聚居,作为一种民族文化意识,风水观念持续顽强地发挥作用,指导他们进行居住环境的选择设计,进一步丰富了中国东北地域建筑文化的内涵。因此,探讨风水观念在中国东北地区朝鲜族传统村落环境选择中发挥的作用和影响,对今后更好地进行朝鲜族村落的规划和建设具有十分重要的借鉴意义。     

延边朝鲜族自治州统筹城乡协调发展之我见

城市带动乡村是世界经济发展、社会进步的共同规律。我国经历了30多年的改革与发展,城市先发优势越来越明显,发展能量越来越大,有义务也有能力加大对农村经济社会发展的带动力度。延边朝鲜族自治州作为边境少数民族地区,在统筹城乡协调发展和构筑城乡发展一体化方面有其自身的特征,因此只有结合延边实际,进行制度创新、统筹规划、合理布局,才能统筹城乡协调发展。     

片刻言情尽有真——程伟元与朝鲜友人往来纪事

朝鲜文人李海应《蓟山纪程》记录其在沈阳拜访程伟元的全过程,并保存有程伟元一首诗,该诗也是迄今所见程伟元惟一诗作。李海应日记具有非常重要的学术价值,极大地丰富了程伟元的家世生平资料。朝鲜李朝时代流传下来了大量用汉文记录的"燕行日记",从中可寻觅与《红楼梦》相关的资料,并取得突破性的新发现,为新世纪中国红学研究作出可贵的贡献。     

汉韩语拟声词意义特征对比

拟声词是模拟事物动作、变化等声音的词,即拟声词表达的意义就是表示某种声音。但是不同语言中的拟声词不是对客观声音的简单模仿,而是对客观声音的概括模拟,因此概括程度的不同,拟声词所负荷的意义也有区别,不同语言的拟声词的语音形式和意义之间的关系也不同。本文试图从汉韩语拟声词的语音形式,即拟声词音节中的辅音和元音两方面入手,对比分析汉韩语拟声词的语言形式和意义之间的关系,在此基础上分析汉韩语拟声词的意义特征。