This study investigates the various factors determining the perception of life satisfaction of female marriage immigrants in Korea. In particular, this paper purposes to explore the role of social capital in improving life satisfaction. Despite increa...
This study investigates the various factors determining the perception of life satisfaction of female marriage immigrants in Korea. In particular, this paper purposes to explore the role of social capital in improving life satisfaction. Despite increasing interests that social capital is an important determinant of life satisfaction, empirical evidences regarding this linkage are relatively limited and unconvincing. As a micro level, the social capital of female marriage immigrants can be an effective means of adapting Korean society. As a macro level, it contributes to integrate female marriage immigrants' communities with Korean society. Also, the life satisfaction of female marriage immigrants reflects how they adapt to Korean society successfully.
Drawing on national survey data from a ‘2009 Fact Finding Survey of National Multi-cultural Families(The data for this study was conducted by KIHASA, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Gender Equality & Family)’, first, descriptive analyses are conducted to show groups(living conditions: having a child/working experience/Korean citizenship/residential area-city or country) differences in life satisfaction. Second, multivariate regression analyses are done to identify determinants of Life satisfaction. Third, the Structural Equation Model is established to evaluate the Successful adaptation. Independent variables included age, household income, education, length of residence, and social capital. Self-rated life satisfaction is the dependent variable. To measure social capital, we adopt a structural distinction of social capital measured by the frequency of social participation and the scope of social network. We also focus on micro-social capital including local social networks. Self-rated life satisfaction measure included self-reported economic situation, marital status, health, and subjective well-being.
First, groups(living conditions) differences in life satisfaction indicate that female marriage immigrants who have a child and live in the country without Korean citizenship and any working experience are likely to have higher Life satisfaction. Second, among individual socio-demographic characteristics, multivariate analyses for predicting an immigrant's life satisfaction reveal that those reporting the greatest satisfaction are female marriage immigrants with low age, high household income, low education level, short length of stay. Third, provided empirical evidence that social capital is directly associated with the life satisfaction. To be specific, female marriage immigrants who have higher frequency of social participation and number of social network with Korean indicate a higher level of life satisfaction. The findings from this study have important implications for how social capital and individual characteristics should be maintained or developed for improving the life satisfaction of the female marriage immigrants. These results may be helpful to Korean policymakers dealing with adaptation and integration of female marriage immigrants in Korea society.