title: The importance of culturally meaningful activity for health benefits among older Korean immigrant living in the United States.
abstract: Research indicates that participation in culturally meaningful activity is beneficial for immigrants' health and well-being, yet older Korean immigrants struggle with accepting new cultural perspectives, which can negatively affect their health and well-being. Using in-depth interviews, this study was designed to capture the value of culturally meaningful activities for health among older Korean immigrants. Three themes were identified: (a) improved psychological well-being, (b) enhanced positive emotions and feelings, and (c) social connections developed with others. The findings suggest that by engaging in various culturally meaningful activities, older Korean immigrants gain a sense of social, cultural, and psychological significance in life. This study also provided evidence that older Korean immigrants maintain and develop their cultural identity through culturally meaningful activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services Administration, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Junhyoung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: May
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Dongduk Women's University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Areum
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Taekwondo, Dankook University, Cheonan, South Korea; 12110758@dankook.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Seungtae
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chin
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000208:ethnology; D012951:Socialization; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014481:United States
keywords: Activity; culture; immigrants