Health Promoting Lifestyle, Anxiety and Self-Esteem : Korean Immigrants in New York

Song, Hyo Jeong; Baek, Hee Chong; Kim, Myung Ja

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To examine the relationships among health promoting lifestyle, anxiety, and self-esteem for korean immigrants in New York.
METHODS
The study included 425 adults aged 18 and over, who were chosen from Korean church and social organizations located in New York. The data were collected from April to July, 1996 using self-administered questionnaires. Data analyses were conducted using stepwise multiple regression, Pearson s correlation coefficients, t-test, and ANOVA.
RESULTS
Health promoting lifestyle was significantly different by age, religion, occupation, and the length of residence. Those insured and those with no current medial diagnosis revealed significantly higher score in health promoting lifestyle than their counterparts. As for the level of anxiety, significant differences were found by educational level, marital status, occupation, income, and the length of residence. Self-esteem varied significantly by education, marital status, occupation, income, and the length of residence. Those with no current medical diagnosis and those insured experienced significantly higher level of self-esteem than their counterparts. Negative correlations were observed between health promoting lifestyle and anxiety. Perceived health status at present was positively correlated to perceived health status in the future. Health promoting lifestyle was significantly predicted by anxiety, age, and insurance.
CONCLUSIONS
The above findings suggested that it is necessary to develop programs improving the perceived health status and lowering the level of anxiety. In this context, further researches on the relation between health promoting lifestyle and anxiety is required.