Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion (보건교육건강증진학회지)

Korean Society for Health Education and Promotion (한국보건교육건강증진학회)
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Resilience and Mental Health among Migrant Workers in Busan, Korea

이주노동자의 레질리언스와 정신건강

  • Im, Hyuk (Dongseo University, Division of Social Welfare) ;
  • Lee, Hyo Young (Dongseo University, Department of Health Administration)
  • 임혁 (동서대학교 사회복지학과) ;
  • 이효영 (동서대학교 보건행정학과)
  • Received : 2012.09.03
  • Accepted : 2012.12.04
  • Published : 2012.12.30
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Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between resilience of migrant workers and their mental health for improving their quality of life and adaptation in Korean society. Methods: Data were collected from March 21 to May 7, 2011. The participants included 488 migrant workers who lived in Busan Metropolitan City or Gyoungnam province. Results: First, heavy working burdens and lack of rests, low wages, poor living environments, low economic status & deficiency of living necessities, hard physical labors, and conflicts with Korean workers had negative effects on mental health. Second, high perceived stress caused by usual 'living difficulties', high 'cutural shock', high feeling of 'social isolation', and high discomfort from 'lack of Korean language proficiency' gave negative effects on migrant worker's mental health. Third, the most important factor on the mental health was the 'cultural shock' among stressors. Even though many stressors existed among migrant workers, these negative effects on mental health were lessened by their high resilience level. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of migrant workers in Busan, Korea. To improve their mental health, social support including financial supports and educational programs that foster resilience needed.

Keywords

References

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