A qualitative review of immigrant women's experiences of maternal adaptation in South Korea.
OBJECTIVE
to synthesise the evidence of immigrant women's experiences of maternal adaptation in Korea.


METHODS
eligible studies were identified by searching MEDLINE, CINAHL, and the Korean electronic databases. Qualitative research studies, published in English and Korean addressing maternal adaptation experiences of immigrant women by marriage in Korea, were considered in the review. The suitability of the quality of articles was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Checklist. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria for data analysis. Authors, purpose of the study, study design, theoretical framework, population (nationality and sample size), data collection (setting and method), and main study findings were extracted and summarised in a data extraction form for further narrative analysis and synthesis. A qualitative systematic review was performed by means of thematic synthesis.


RESULTS
the literature search identified 7,628 articles, of which 15 studies, published between 2009 and 2014, were evaluated in the systematic review. Two overarching categories including five themes were identified in the qualitative studies related to maternal adaptation experiences; 'Experiences of motherhood transition' and 'Experiences of child-rearing'.


CONCLUSIONS
these findings demonstrate the importance of understanding and improving maternal adaptation of immigrant women living in Korea. This can be achieved by enhancing social support, providing culturally sensitive maternal healthcare services, and expanding opportunities for immigrant women in education, job training, and economic independence.
College of Nursing and Institute of Nursing Science, Ajou University, 164 Worldcup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: songje@ajou.ac.kr.
Ju-Eun
JE
Song
College of Nursing, Ajou University, 164 Worldcup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: narcii@hanmail.net.
Jeong-Ah
JA
Ahn
360 Huntington Avenue, School of Nursing, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: t.kim@neu.edu.
Tiffany
T
Kim
College of Nursing, Ajou University, 164 Worldcup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: ek320@naver.com.
Eun Ha
EH
Roh
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D065246:Culturally Competent Care / Q000592:standards; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000208:ethnology
Adaptation; Immigrant women; Korea; Qualitative studies; Systematic review