Perspect Nurs Sci.  2016 Oct;13(2):70-80. 10.16952/pns.2016.13.2.70.

Acculturation Stress and Health Promotion Behaviors of the Korean Chinese Elderly Immigrants Living in Korea

• Jin X
• Song M

• KMID: 2357039
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.16952/pns.2016.13.2.70

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study examined the relationship between acculturation stress and health promotion behaviors in the Korean Chinese elderly immigrants living in Korea, focusing on the buffering effects of social support.
METHODS
We included 132 completed questionnaires in the analysis. The buffering effect was examined using a hierarchical regression analysis by adding interaction terms.
RESULTS
Health promotion scores were significantly higher in the group with a higher education level, lower depressive symptom scores, and higher levels of social support. However, no statistically significant differences were found in the health promotion behaviors by gender, age, spouse, job, financial stability, subjective health status, chronic disease, regular health checkups, or acculturation stress. The hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that social support had a buffering effect on the relationship between acculturation stress and health promotion behaviors in the Korean Chinese elderly immigrants. Specifically, the relationship between the acculturation stress stemming from the difficulties in the workplace and health promotion behaviors was attenuated by social support.
CONCLUSION
These findings indicate that social support significantly moderates the relationship between acculturation stress and health promotion behaviors in the Korean Chinese elderly immigrants living in Korea. A variety of strategies to enhance social support should be incorporated in the health promotion programs to decrease the negative effects of acculturation stress in the Korean Chinese elderly living in Korea.

Keyword

Elderly; Immigrants; Social support; Acculturation; Health promotion

MeSH Terms

Acculturation*
Aged*
Asian Continental Ancestry Group*
Chronic Disease
Depression
Diagnostic Self Evaluation
Education
Emigrants and Immigrants*
Health Promotion*
Humans
Korea*
Spouses

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Buffering effect of social support on acculturation stress and health promotion behavior.

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