Health risks posed by social and linguistic isolation in older Korean Americans

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri Jang ◽  
Hyunwoo Yoon ◽  
Juyoung Park ◽  
Nan Sook Park ◽  
David A. Chiriboga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Risks ◽  
Korean Americans ◽  
Older Korean Americans

scholarly journals Health Risks Posed by Social and Linguistic Isolation in Older Korean Americans

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 303-303
Author(s):  
Yuri Jang ◽  
Hyunwoo Yoon ◽  
Nan Sook Park ◽  
David Chiriboga ◽  
Miyong Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Relationships ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Korean Americans ◽  
Older Immigrants ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Fair Poor ◽  
Older Korean Americans

Abstract Guided by the double jeopardy hypothesis, the present study examined the health risks posed by the coexistence of social and linguistic isolation in older Korean Americans. Using data from the Study of Older Korean Americans (SOKA, n = 2,032), comparisons of four isolation typologies (no isolation, social isolation only, linguistic isolation only, and dual isolation) were made, and their impacts on physical (self-rated health), mental (mental distress), and cognitive health (cognitive performance) were examined. The ‘dual isolation’ group exhibited greater sociodemographic and health disadvantages. The odds of having fair/poor health, mental distress, and cognitive impairment were 2.21-3.17 times higher in the ‘dual isolation’ group than those in the group with no isolation. Our findings confirm that both social relationships and language proficiency are key elements for older immigrants’ social connectedness and integration, deprivation of which puts them at risk in multidimensions of health.

scholarly journals Cognitive health risks posed by social isolation and loneliness in older Korean Americans

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri Jang ◽  
Eun Young Choi ◽  
Nan Sook Park ◽  
David A. Chiriboga ◽  
Lei Duan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Korean Americans ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Older Korean Americans

Abstract Background This study examines associations among social isolation, loneliness, and cognitive health risks in older Korean Americans, focusing on the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between social isolation and objective and subjective measures of cognitive impairment. Methods Data are from 2061 participants in the Study of Older Korean Americans, a multi-state survey of Korean immigrants age 60 and older (Mage = 73.2, SD = 7.93). Social isolation was indexed with the Lubben Social Network Scale− 6; loneliness, with the short-form UCLA Loneliness Scale. Objective and subjective measures of cognitive impairment included the Mini-Mental State Examination and a single-item self-rating of cognitive health. Results In the logistic regression model for objective cognitive impairment, social isolation was significantly associated, but loneliness was not. In the model for subjective cognitive impairment, both social isolation and loneliness were significant factors. However, the effect of social isolation became non-significant when loneliness was considered, suggesting a potential mediating role of loneliness. The subsequent mediation analysis confirmed that the indirect effect of social isolation on subjective cognitive impairment through loneliness was significant (B = .20, SE = .03, 95% CI = .12, .28). Conclusion Our analyses provide evidence for the proposed mediating effect of loneliness in the relationship between social isolation and subjective cognitive impairment. Intervention efforts should focus on reducing feelings of loneliness experienced by older immigrants, possibly by engaging them in socially meaningful and cognitively stimulating activities.

scholarly journals Risk Factors for Social Isolation in Older Korean Americans

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri Jang ◽  
Nan Sook Park ◽  
David A. Chiriboga ◽  
Hyunwoo Yoon ◽  
Jisook Ko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Korean Americans ◽  
Older Korean Americans

scholarly journals Attitudes of Older Korean Americans Toward Mental Health Services

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 616-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri Jang ◽  
Giyeon Kim ◽  
Lianne Hansen ◽  
David A. Chiriboga
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Korean Americans ◽  
Older Korean Americans

scholarly journals Determinants of Self-rated Cognitive Health among Older Korean Americans

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri Jang ◽  
Eun Young Choi ◽  
Min-Kyoung Rhee ◽  
Nan Sook Park ◽  
David A Chiriboga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Korean Americans ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Community Factors ◽  
Older Korean Americans

Abstract Background and Objectives In response to the dearth of information on cognitive health in older ethnic minorities, in the present study, we examined factors associated with self-rated cognitive health (SRCH) in older Korean Americans. Drawing from the World Health Organization’s framework of social determinants of health, we examined how a broad spectrum of factors might influence the way in which older Korean Americans perceive and evaluate their own cognitive health. Research Design and Methods Using data from the Study of Older Korean Americans (SOKA; N = 2,061, mean age = 73.2), a series of hierarchical linear regression models of SRCH was tested with sequential entry of predictors: (1) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of cognitive status, (2) demographic variables, (3) physical and mental health status, (4) health behaviors, and (5) socio-cultural and community factors. Results In addition to cognitive screening outcomes, each set of variables made a significant contribution to the predictive model of SRCH. Positive ratings of cognitive health were observed among older individuals with greater education, good physical and mental health, involvement in regular exercise, and socio-cultural resources (social networks, acculturation, and family solidarity). Discussion and Implications The SRCH of older adults goes beyond cognitive screening outcomes, suggesting a need to incorporate the various sources of social determinants when seeking to promote the cognitive health of older populations.

scholarly journals POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SOCIAL INTERACTIONS ON MENTAL HEALTH IN OLDER KOREAN AMERICANS: GENDER DIFFERENCES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S515-S515
Author(s):  
Nan Sook Park ◽  
Yuri Jang ◽  
Min-Kyoung Rhee ◽  
David Chiriboga ◽  
Soondool Chung
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Korean Americans ◽  
Perceived Quality ◽  
Family Interactions ◽  
Family Network ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Older Korean Americans

Abstract While there is substantial documentation of a positive relationship between objective social engagement and mental health, relatively little is known about how perceived quality of social interactions affects mental health and how men and women differ. Considering the gap, the purpose of this study was to investigate gender difference in how social interactions associate with self-rated mental health in older Korean Americans. Data came from a survey with older Korean Americans aged 60 or over that included 713 men and 1437 women living in five sites (California, New York, Texas, Hawaii, and Florida), conducted during 2017−2018. In multiple regression models run separately for men and women, self-rated mental health on a five-point scale (excellent/very good/good/fair/poor) was regressed on four blocks of variables: socio-demographic characteristics (age, marital status, education, financial status, self-rated health, and region), immigration-related variables (length of stay in the U.S. and acculturation), social engagement (family network, friend network, and activity participation), and perceived quality of social interactions (positive or negative family interactions and negative community interactions). In the final models with all covariates, younger age, more years in education, better physical health, higher levels of acculturation, and more positive family interactions were commonly associated with more positively rated mental health for both men and women. For women, stronger family network and fewer negative family interactions were additional contributors. Results suggest that negative and positive indicators of family interactions differentially affect self-rated mental health for older Korean American men and women.

scholarly journals Validity and Reliability of the Index of Self-Regulation Scale for Physical Activity in Older Korean Americans

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye-A Yeom ◽  
Julie Fleury
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Korean Americans ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Oblique Rotation ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Relevant Variables ◽  
Older Korean Americans

The Korean version of the index of self-regulation (KISR) is a nine-item scale designed to measure individuals' level of self-regulation for physical activity. The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the KISR, including reliability and validity, in a group of older Korean Americans. The KISR was administered to a sample of older Korean Americans at a baseline interview (Time 1) and 12 week followup (Time 2). The internal consistency of the KISR was high at both time points, with Cronbach's alphas of .94 and .95, respectively. The test-retest reliability was moderate-to-high at .68. There was evidence of construct validity of the KISR based on its moderate to high significant correlations with theoretically relevant variables, including motivational appraisal and self-efficacy for physical activity. A principal axis factoring with an oblique rotation resulted in two factors, explaining 89% of the variance. The KISR is a reliable and valid measure to assess the level of self-regulation for physical activity behavior in older Korean Americans.

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