J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2014 Dec;23(4):217-225. 10.12934/jkpmhn.2014.23.4.217.

Korean Housewives Living through Depression: A Grounded Theory Study

• Lee JS
• Shin DS
• Choi SH
• Kim HN
• Bernstein

• KMID: 2322750
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2014.23.4.217

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to generate theoretical constructs on depression from the study data by examining and interpreting Korean housewives' experience with depression to elicit its meaning, understand it better, and develop empirical knowledge on it.
METHODS
The data were collected in a community public mental health center between April 1, 2012 and September 30, 2012 using in-depth interviews and theoretical sampling. The participants were 12 women aged 40-64 years who scored 7 or higher in the Korean version of the 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (Kim, 1980). Collected data were analyzed by grounded theory methodology using open, axial, selective coding process.
RESULTS
It was found that the basic socio-psychological process of Korean housewives' living through depression could be summarized into the following four phases: (1) the vanishing of the self into thin air, (2) becoming an empty shell, and (3) searching for the meaning of life, (4) fulfilling of an empty shell.
CONCLUSION
This study may enhance the culturally elusive understanding of Korean housewives' experience with depression. As they are living through a hollow empty shell which looks normal on the outside, so can't get support from their families. It's important to educate their families about depressive phases.

Keyword

Depression; Life; Qualitative research

MeSH Terms

Clinical Coding
Depression*
Female
Humans
Mental Health
Qualitative Research

Figure

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  Figure 1 Depressed Korean housewives living through a hollow empty shell.

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