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Acculturative Stress, Depression and Drinking Problems of Korean International Students in the United States

Article information

Res Community Public Health Nurs. 2012;23(4):366-375
Publication date (electronic) : 2012 December 31
doi : https://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2012.23.4.366
Soon Hee Lee
Department of Nursing, Korea National University of Transportation, Jeungpyeong, Korea.
Corresponding author: Lee, Soon Hee. Department of Nursing, Korea National University of Transportation, 61 Daehak-ro, Jeungpyeong 368-701, Korea. Tel: +82-43-820-5188, Fax: +82-43-820-5173, nhlee@ut.ac.kr
Received 2012 September 14; Accepted 2012 December 14.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of drinking problems in Korean international students in the United States.

Methods

The subjects involved this study were 190 Korean international students in the United States. Data were measured using a drinking problems questionnaire, an acculturative stress scale for international student, and the CES-D. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 17.0 program to calculate mean, standard deviation, ANOVA, Sheffé test and pearson's correlation coefficient. and stepwise multiple regression.

Results

1) The mean score of the degree of perceived acculturative stress was 2.15±0.63, of depression was 17.67±9.85, and of drinking problems was 15.03±15.52. 2) There were significant correlations between acculturative stress and drinking problems (r=.506, p<.001), between depression and drinking problems (r=.6726, p<.001), and between acculturative stress and depression (r=.453, p<.001). 3) In stepwise multiple regression analysis the most powerful predictor of drinking problems were acculturative stress (β=.243, p<.001), and depression (β=.562, p<.001).

Conclusion

Based on the results, practical implications for reducing the acculturative stress and improving the psychological well-being of Korean students were discussed.

Keywords: Drinking; Acculturation; Depression

Notes

The research was supported by a grant from the 2012 program for visiting professors overseas in Korea National University of Transportation.

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Copyright © 2012 Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing

Table 1

Descriptive of Drinking Problems, Acculturative Stress and Depression (N=190)

Table 1

Table 2

The Differences of Drinking Problems, Acculturative Stress and Depression according to Subjects's General Characteristics (N=190)

Table 2

Table 3

Correlations among Perceived Drinking Problems, Acculturative Stress and Depression (N=190)

Table 3

Table 4

Variables influencing Drinking Problem (N=190)

Table 4