title: Perceptions of depression in korean american immigrants.
abstract: Despite its high prevalence, depression is often unrecognized and untreated in minority immigrants. Culture and environment influence perceptions of depression. The purpose of this study was to understand perceptions of depression (knowledge and coping mechanisms) in Korean American immigrants using focus group discussions. A convenience sample (n = 28) was recruited from Korean communities in the Puget Sound region of Washington State. Participants lacked an understanding of depression. Difficulties from immigration-related environmental changes were the main sources of stress. Immigration-related environmental changes resulted in changes in coping resources. Culture-friendly education and coping resources might benefit this minority group.
authors.affiliation: Seattle University, College of Nursing, Seattle, Washington, USA. sinm@seattleu.edu
authors.forename: Mo-Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Sin
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D001364:Awareness; D003210:Concept Formation; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011340:Problem Solving; D012945:Social Values; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing; D014861:Washington