Introduction Methods Results Discussion
The Impact of Acculturation and Personality Traits on the Mental Helath Problems of Korean American Adolescents Minjeong Kim, RN, MSN, PhD(c) & Sandra J. Weiss, PhD, RN, FAAN School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco
Introduction Adaptation to a new culture can be highly stressful, especially during critical developmental stages such as adolescence. However, little is known regarding factors that may influence mental health problems of Korean American adolescents who experience this adaptation. Study Aims 1) to determine whether the degree of acculturation or specific personality traits are associated with mental health problems of Korean American adolescents 2) to determine whether specific personality traits may moderate the association between acculturation and mental health problems
Methods Participants & Settings • Cross-sectional design • 138 Korean American adolescents (10-19 years) • Mean age: 14.43 • Recruitment: Churches, language schools, shopping malls & restaurants, mental health centers, & websites for the Korean community Measures • Demographics, the Stephenson Multigroup Acculturation Scale, the NEO Five-Factor Inventory3, & the Youth Self Report Data Analysis • Hierarchical regression analyses
Results
Discussion
Table 1. Demographic Characteristics (N = 138) Variable Gender Male Female Birthplace U.S. Korea or other Father’s Education High school or below College or vocational school Associate or Bachelor degree Graduate school or higher Mother’s Education High school or below College or vocational school Associate or Bachelor degree Graduate school or higher Family Income Not enough money for food & place to live Not enough money for clothes & school supplies Enough money but no extra More money than we need
n (%) 57 (41.3) 81 (58.7) 93 (67.4) 45 (32.6) 17 (12.8) 22 (16.5) 47 (35.3) 47 (35.3) 26 (19.7) 19 (14.4) 48 (36.4) 39 (29.5) 0 (0.0) 4 (3.0) 82 (60.7) 49 (36.3)
Table 2. Hierarchical Regression Analysis for Effects of Demographics & Personality Traits on Mental Health Problems Variable Step 1 Age Family income Years of stay in the U.S. Step 2 Age Family income Years of stay in the U.S. Neuroticism Agreeableness
B
SE B
β
.17 -5.26 1.14
1.22 4.52 .61
.01 -.11 .20
-1.38 -7.18 1.04 2.04 -.86
.88 3.18 .44 .21 .27
-.12 -.14* .18* .66*** -.21**
• Greater immersion in the American culture as well as certain personality traits may result in greater vulnerability to mental health problems for Korean American adolescents. • Being more sensitive or anxious in nature (neuroticism), less friendly and compassionate (not agreeable), and more curious versus cautious (openness) predicted more mental health problems. • Youth who were more cautious by nature were particularly vulnerable when they were less aligned with the traditional values of their Korean culture. Recommendations for Future Research • Research is needed to identify specific thoughts and feelings associated with personality traits that place youth at risk so that interventions can address them. Mechanisms underlying the effect of acculturation also need to be studied. Clinical Implications • Findings have implications for assessment of mental health problems, for identification of youth at greater risk of mental health problems, and for development of prevention programs targeted to adolescents with specific personality types. Study Limitations • Cross-sectional design, lack of representative sample, & use of self-report measures
Note. R2 = .05 for Step 1; R2 change = .49 for Step 2 (p < .001). * p < .05, ** p < .01, *** p < .001.
Table 3. Moderating Effect of Personality Trait of Openness on Mental Health Problems Variable Step 1 Age Family income Years of stay in the U.S. Step 2 Age Family income Years of stay in the U.S. Acculturation Openness Step 3 Age Family income Years of stay in the U.S. Acculturation Openness Acculturation x Openness
B
SE B
β
.59 -4.81 1.05
1.21 4.45 .61
.05 -.10 .18
.12 -3.39 1.57 -.74 .60
1.23 4.54 .72 .52 .35
.01 -.07 .27* -.16 .16
.18 -2.46 1.66 4.30 9.35 -.18
1.20 4.45 .70 2.00 3.37 .07
.02 -.05 .29* .93* 2.40** -2.72*
Note. R2 = .05 for Step 1; R2 change = .03 for Step 2 (p = .12); R2 change = .05 for Step 3 (p < .05).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • • • •
Research Award, granted by Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Eta Chapter Graduate Student Research Award, granted by Graduate Dean Century Club Funds, granted by UCSF School of Nursing Research Award, granted by Global Korean Nursing Foundation
Introduction Adaptation to a new culture can be highly stressful, especially during critical developmental stages such as adolescence. However, little is known regarding factors that may influence mental health problems of Korean American adolescents who experience this adaptation. Study Aims 1) to determine whether the degree of acculturation or specific personality traits are associated with mental health problems of Korean American adolescents 2) to determine whether specific personality traits may moderate the association between acculturation and mental health problems
Methods Participants & Settings • Cross-sectional design • 138 Korean American adolescents (10-19 years) • Mean age: 14.43 • Recruitment: Churches, language schools, shopping malls & restaurants, mental health centers, & websites for the Korean community Measures • Demographics, the Stephenson Multigroup Acculturation Scale, the NEO Five-Factor Inventory3, & the Youth Self Report Data Analysis • Hierarchical regression analyses
Results
Discussion
Table 1. Demographic Characteristics (N = 138) Variable Gender Male Female Birthplace U.S. Korea or other Father’s Education High school or below College or vocational school Associate or Bachelor degree Graduate school or higher Mother’s Education High school or below College or vocational school Associate or Bachelor degree Graduate school or higher Family Income Not enough money for food & place to live Not enough money for clothes & school supplies Enough money but no extra More money than we need
n (%) 57 (41.3) 81 (58.7) 93 (67.4) 45 (32.6) 17 (12.8) 22 (16.5) 47 (35.3) 47 (35.3) 26 (19.7) 19 (14.4) 48 (36.4) 39 (29.5) 0 (0.0) 4 (3.0) 82 (60.7) 49 (36.3)
Table 2. Hierarchical Regression Analysis for Effects of Demographics & Personality Traits on Mental Health Problems Variable Step 1 Age Family income Years of stay in the U.S. Step 2 Age Family income Years of stay in the U.S. Neuroticism Agreeableness
B
SE B
β
.17 -5.26 1.14
1.22 4.52 .61
.01 -.11 .20
-1.38 -7.18 1.04 2.04 -.86
.88 3.18 .44 .21 .27
-.12 -.14* .18* .66*** -.21**
• Greater immersion in the American culture as well as certain personality traits may result in greater vulnerability to mental health problems for Korean American adolescents. • Being more sensitive or anxious in nature (neuroticism), less friendly and compassionate (not agreeable), and more curious versus cautious (openness) predicted more mental health problems. • Youth who were more cautious by nature were particularly vulnerable when they were less aligned with the traditional values of their Korean culture. Recommendations for Future Research • Research is needed to identify specific thoughts and feelings associated with personality traits that place youth at risk so that interventions can address them. Mechanisms underlying the effect of acculturation also need to be studied. Clinical Implications • Findings have implications for assessment of mental health problems, for identification of youth at greater risk of mental health problems, and for development of prevention programs targeted to adolescents with specific personality types. Study Limitations • Cross-sectional design, lack of representative sample, & use of self-report measures
Note. R2 = .05 for Step 1; R2 change = .49 for Step 2 (p < .001). * p < .05, ** p < .01, *** p < .001.
Table 3. Moderating Effect of Personality Trait of Openness on Mental Health Problems Variable Step 1 Age Family income Years of stay in the U.S. Step 2 Age Family income Years of stay in the U.S. Acculturation Openness Step 3 Age Family income Years of stay in the U.S. Acculturation Openness Acculturation x Openness
B
SE B
β
.59 -4.81 1.05
1.21 4.45 .61
.05 -.10 .18
.12 -3.39 1.57 -.74 .60
1.23 4.54 .72 .52 .35
.01 -.07 .27* -.16 .16
.18 -2.46 1.66 4.30 9.35 -.18
1.20 4.45 .70 2.00 3.37 .07
.02 -.05 .29* .93* 2.40** -2.72*
Note. R2 = .05 for Step 1; R2 change = .03 for Step 2 (p = .12); R2 change = .05 for Step 3 (p < .05).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • • • •
Research Award, granted by Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Eta Chapter Graduate Student Research Award, granted by Graduate Dean Century Club Funds, granted by UCSF School of Nursing Research Award, granted by Global Korean Nursing Foundation
