Abstract

The population of Asian immigrants in the United States increased 43.3% from 2000 to 2010. During the same period, Texas experienced an increase of Korean immigrants of over 47%. Despite the increase of Korean immigrants, only a minimal number of studies explored health and healthcare needs specific to this population. Furthermore, none of the studies addressed Korean immigrants living in rural Texas. Hence, an ethnographic study was conducted to examine the health and healthcare among Korean immigrants living in rural Texas. Face-to-face interviews were conducted and transcribed. Five major themes emerged which included acculturation, health and health perceptions, healthcare, relaxation and extracurricular activities, and social connectedness. Rural Korean immigrants had arduous work schedules, financial constraints, and lacked English competency causing stress and fatigue. Furthermore, chronic health problems such as hypertension and hypercholesterolemia existed. However, a majority of the immigrants felt their health was "good" and engaged in some form of health promotion activities, such as walking or exercising. Despite the health problems, Korean immigrants did not perceive the need for routine healthcare. In addition to receiving no routine healthcare, immigrants did not socialize with other Korean immigrants for a variety of reasons. Furthermore, organizations to assist Korean immigrants did not exist in their community.

Date of publication

Spring 5-19-2014

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

english

Persistent identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/10950/208

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