title: Socio-demographic and Health Behavioral Correlates of Depressive Symptoms among Korean Americans.
abstract: This study identifies the associations between socio-demographic characteristics and help seeking behaviors for depressive symptoms among adult Korean Americans (KAs). Using survey data from 230 residents of the New York City, Teaneck, New Jersey, and Philadelphia areas, simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between depressive symptoms and the covariates. Women were at much lower risk of depressive symptoms than were men, even after adjusting other covariates (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.21-0.96). Having no health insurance (OR 4.02, 95% CI 1.28-12.61) and having experience in seeking professional help for mental health problems during the last year were significantly associated with depressive symptoms (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.29-6.80). The findings suggest more attention to the risk of depression of KA men and further efforts on understanding the unique contribution of socio-demographic factors and health-related behaviors on depressive symptoms among KAs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Natural Science, Department of Nursing, Mokpo National University, 1666 Yeongsan-ro, Cheonggye-myeon, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, 534-729, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sunhee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: So-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Kunsook S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.forename: Soonhee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.forename: Gyeong-Suk
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Jeon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D015143:Philadelphia / Q000453:epidemiology; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000208:ethnology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult