Impacts of Social Support and Acculturative Stress on Depression among Korean Registered Nurses in the United States

Jung, Young Mi

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the impacts of social support and acculturative stress on depression among Korean registered nurses in the United States. METHOD: In total, 137 nurses were recruited through direct interviews and online surveys. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire from June 1, to September 16, 2012, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS WIN 14.0.
RESULTS
Social support significantly differed by the length of one's nursing career in US, monthly income and perceived health status. Acculturative stress significantly differed by the length of one's nursing career in US and types of employment setting. Depression significantly differed by the total length of one's nursing career, type of employment setting, and perceived health status. Moreover, Depression was negatively correlated with social support; positively correlated with acculturative stress; social support was negatively correlated with acculturative stress. Factors influencing depression were acculturative stress, perceived health status, and social support, which explained about 23% of the total variance.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that an adaptation program that decreases acculturative stress and improves social support should be developed and implemented for Korean nurses to help them successfully integrate into the healthcare system of new country.