J Korean Acad Nurs.  2014 Feb;44(1):1-12. 10.4040/jkan.2014.44.1.1.

Maternal Acculturation Process of Married Immigrant Women in Korea

• Kim KS
• Kim MK

• KMID: 1730901
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2014.44.1.1

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was done to explore and understand acculturation focusing on reproductive health of immigrant women.
METHODS
For the research sixteen immigrant women were selected by snowball sampling. Qualitative data were accumulated by in-depth interviews and private document collection. Raw data was analyzed following Mandelbaum's conceptual framework.
RESULTS
The dimensions of immigrant women consisted of existence: emerging from the new environment in which it was hard to communicate and to get acquainted with others, reproduction: in the absence of learning and experience, reproductive health crisis, parenting: unmanageable burden. Turnings of life involved 'Inconvenience in one's eyes, vent for conflict and tension: pregnancy', 'strange medical care: accoucheur, rapid medical service', 'pain of morning sickness: poor maternal nutrition', 'manifestation of protective instinct for life'. In adaptations, content was as follows. 1) Standing alone as a Korean housewife, 2) Becoming aware of Korean maternal instinct: thirst for education supporting, 3) Rediscovery of family: growing maternal sense of existence.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study show the acculturation process and the meaning of events related to reproductive health in current lives and can contribute to an integrated understanding of married immigrant women in Korean culture.

Keyword

Migrants women; Reproductive health; Qualitative research; Acculturation

MeSH Terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Emigrants and Immigrants/*psychology
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Marriage
Parenting
Pregnancy
Quality of Life
Republic of Korea
Women/*psychology
Young Adult