title: Is leisure beneficial for older Korean immigrants? An interpretative phenomenological analysis.
abstract: Leisure is an important quality of life factor for older Korean immigrants. The purpose of this study was to explore leisure benefits associated with health among older Korean immigrants. A total of 18 individuals participated in the study. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), three themes emerged from participants' personal statements and experiences: (a) experiencing psychological benefits, (b) strengthening social connections, and (c) coping with acculturative stress. The findings indicate that leisure provided a context in which older Korean immigrants created an emotional and social support system that helped them to experience psychological and social benefits. This research suggested that older Korean immigrants used leisure as a coping mechanism that results in health and well-being.
authors.affiliation: Central Michigan University, Mt Pleasant, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Junhyoung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: School of Airline Tourism, Gumi, South Korea, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sangjeong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: International Tourism Management, Daegu, Republic of Korea; anansong@yjc.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jungsun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000208:ethnology; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014481:United States
keywords: Coping; interpretative phenomenological analysis; leisure; psychological wellbeing; social support