The experience of acculturative stress-related growth from immigrants' perspectives

A qualitative investigation of leisure benefits for social and psychological health among international volleyball players living in South Korea

PURPOSE

The proportion of foreign players in global sports industries has steadily increased in the last decade. This qualitative study aims to capture the benefits of leisure activities for the social and psychological health of international volleyball players affiliated with South Korean volleyball leagues.

METHOD

A purposeful criterion sampling strategy was employed in this qualitative study. Findings: Based on semi-structured interviews with 12 participants, in this study three major themes pertaining to leisure benefits are identified: (a) new leisure opportunities and coping, (b) inter-intra group friendships, and (c) acculturation.

CONCLUSIONS

These benefits can contribute to social and psychological health for the participants. Practical implications of this study and suggestions for health professionals, sports psychologists, and team counsellors are discussed.

Leisure and health benefits associated with acculturation among Western international students living in South Korea

Purpose: Prior research provides limited information on the roles that leisure can play among Western international students studying in Eastern countries. Exploring this directional difference can provide its implications for Western international student support. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore leisure behaviours and leisure benefits associated with acculturation among Western international students residing in South Korea.Method: Using a purposeful criterion sampling strategy, a total of 18 participants (7 males and 11 females) were recruited. This study employed semi-structured in-depth interviews and a content mapping and content mining question strategy was incorporated.Results: The following core themes were associated with the health benefits of leisure activities experienced by international students living in South Korea: (a) promoting mental health, (b) experiencing dynamics of inter-and intra-group friendships, and (c) facilitating acculturation.Conclusions: The findings showed that participants developed friendships with the host individuals and other international students, became well acculturated into a new culture and experienced benefits to their mental health, indicating that leisure participation can be instrumental in improving social and psychological wellbeing.

Is leisure beneficial for older Korean immigrants? An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Leisure is an important quality of life factor for older Korean immigrants. The purpose of this study was to explore leisure benefits associated with health among older Korean immigrants. A total of 18 individuals participated in the study. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), three themes emerged from participants' personal statements and experiences: (a) experiencing psychological benefits, (b) strengthening social connections, and (c) coping with acculturative stress. The findings indicate that leisure provided a context in which older Korean immigrants created an emotional and social support system that helped them to experience psychological and social benefits. This research suggested that older Korean immigrants used leisure as a coping mechanism that results in health and well-being.

Serious engagement in sport and health benefits among Korean immigrants in the USA

There is a dearth of information pertaining to ethnicity and serious leisure among immigrants. The purpose of our study was to explore the health benefits of serious engagement in sports among Korean immigrants who are part of club activities. Using semi-structured in-depth interviews, we identified three themes associated with the benefits of serious leisure: (a) coping with acculturative stress, (b) creating ethnic strength, and (c) personal benefits. Participants gain personal and social benefits by pursuing leisure activities in a serious manner within their ethnic in-group.

Stress and Coping Associated With Acculturation Among North Korean Defectors

While adapting to a new culture, North Korean defectors may develop their own coping strategies and utilize coping resources to deal with acculturative stress. The purpose of this study was to identify the stress-coping strategies utilized by North Korean defectors. Using semistructured in-depth interviews, three salient themes as the major coping strategies were identified: (a) engagement in meaningful activities, (b) emotional and social support, and (c) personal growth. This study suggested that leisure professionals in South Korea create and provide a variety of recreational programs through which North Korean defectors can engage with host individuals in order to increase their health and well-being.

Exploratory examination of the relationship between acculturation and personal growth among Korean immigrants

Korean immigrants are motivated to accept new cultural perspectives and/or transform their own cultural values into those of their new country. During this acculturation process, they encounter cultural differences, make adaptations, and thus may experience positive changes in social relationships, coping resources, personal strength, and cultural knowledge. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the dimensions of acculturation and personal growth. The results indicated that two dimensions of acculturation (e.g., self-control and collectivism), age, and length of stay were predictors of personal growth that involves social relationships, personal resources, life philosophy, and coping skills. This study suggests that high scores on two acculturation dimensions indicated lower acculturation, which predicts personal growth.

The benefits of in-group contact through physical activity involvement for health and well-being among Korean immigrants

This qualitative study is designed to examine the benefits of physical activity involvement with members of the same ethnic group. For this study, Korean immigrants who were members of Korean physical activity clubs such as badminton and tennis were selected as participants. Using a constructive grounded theory methodology, three themes were identified as benefits of physical activity involvement: (1) the experience of psychological well-being, (2) the creation of a unique cultural world, and (3) the facilitation of physical activity involvement. The findings of this study suggest that Korean immigrant participants gained various social, cultural, and psychological benefits by engaging in activities with other Korean immigrants.