This study looked into the quality of life of marriage immigrant women in Korea by investigating ecological factors which influence on the psychological well-being of marriage immigrant women on the purpose of providing the basic data for considering ...
This study looked into the quality of life of marriage immigrant women in Korea by investigating ecological factors which influence on the psychological well-being of marriage immigrant women on the purpose of providing the basic data for considering an integrated perspective to help then settle down in Korean society and ultimately to promote their well-being. In this study, Psychological well-being reflects one's well-functioning as a not only individual but also a part of the society, which corresponds with the fundamental view of this study that considering marriage immigrant women as a brave and independent one. Grounded on the ecosystems perspective, taking into all possible contexts for individuals considerate, the psychological well-being of marriage immigrant women was examined by social demographic factors and ecosystems, including personal, familial and social-environmental system.
The subjects of this study are 117 marriage immigrant women living in Suncheon and Yeosu, Jeonranamdo. This study conducted for about a month and used the questionnaires translated into five different languages. The findings of this study are as follows;
First, the level of their psychological well-being was above average both in general and in each sub-dimensions of psychological well-being, such as self-acceptance, personal growth, environmental mastery, purpose in life, positive relationships, and autonomy. That is, even if there might be some difficulties in adapting unfamiliar circumstances in Korea, most of marriage immigrant women are getting on well with their lives, functioning adequately.
Second, social-demographic factors that consists of objective characteristics and each ecosystem have valid factors which can make significant differences of psychological well-being. Specifically, the valid factors were income in social-demographic factors, physical health, self-respect, acculturative stress in personal system, stress on familial relationships in familial system, social support, community participation, community environment in social-environmental system. Also, through regression analysis, these ecosystems were found to have a meaningful connection with psychological well-being respectively, while the group of social-demographic factors was not.
Third, in the case of taking all factors of ecosystems and social-demographical characteristics into the consideration, the psychological well-being of marriage immigrant women was reflected most properly. Predicting factors were observed in the following order; self-respect, physical health, social support, spousal satisfaction, age, stress on familial relationships, and religion.
All in all, every systemic factor surrounding marriage immigrant women affects their psychological well-being, and thus it is impossible to draw conclusion on their quality of life only based on a few objective and social economic factors or one single ecosystem. Therefore, personal factors as well as various contexts where marriage immigrant women belong should be given consideration to enhance their well-being in life. As a result, this study will contribute to the process of establishing support policies or programs for marriage immigrant women in the field of social welfare practice as basis data.