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Nam and Ahn: Comparison of Stress, Social Support, and Marital Satisfaction between Married Immigrant Women in Urban and Rural Areas
Original Article
Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2011; 17(2): 99-108.

Published online: 30 June 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2011.17.2.99

Comparison of Stress, Social Support, and Marital Satisfaction between Married Immigrant Women in Urban and Rural Areas

In Suk Nam1, Sukhee Ahn2

1Doctoral Student, College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Korea.

2Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Ahn, Sukhee, College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, 6 Munhwa 1-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon 301-747, Korea. Tel: 82-42-580-8324, Fax: 82-42-584-8915, sukheeahn@cnu.ac.kr

Received 12 May 2011       Accepted 26 May 2011

Copyright © 2011 Korean Academy of Women's Health Nursing

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the levels of stress, social support, and marital satisfaction between married immigrant women living in urban areas and women living in rural areas to identify ways to improve their mental health.

Methods

Two hundred married immigrant women were recruited from multicultural family-support centers located in Daejeon City and Chungcheong Province. From July, 2009 to January, 2010, data were collected using self-administered questionnaire. Study instruments were scales for acculturative stress, housewives life stress, support from spouse, and marital satisfaction.

Results

Urban married immigrant women had lower levels of acculturative stress and higher levels of support from spouse and more positive marital satisfaction compared to rural women. Both groups reported similar levels of stress in life as a housewife. Factors influencing marital satisfaction in both group were lower levels of acculturative and housewives life stress, higher levels of support from spouse, and living with parents-in-law.

Conclusion

Rural married immigrant women may have more problems in adjusting to Korean culture and marriage compared to urban women. Therefore, to improve the physical and psychological wellbeing and marital adjustment of married immigrant women, development of nursing strategies according to area of residence is needed.

Keywords: Immigrants, Women, Marriage, Personal satisfaction, Stress, Social support

Figures and Tables

Table 1
General Characteristics of Married Immigrant Women in Urban and Rural Area (N=200)
kjwhn-17-99-i001
Table 2
Comparison of Housewives Life Stress, Acculturative Stress, Support from Spouse, and Marital Satisfaction between Married Immigrant Women in Urban and Rural (N=200)
kjwhn-17-99-i002
Table 3
Relationships among Housewives Life Stress, Acculturative Stress, Support from Spouse, and Marital Satisfaction in Married Immigrant Women in Urban and Rural (N=200)
kjwhn-17-99-i003
Table 4
Factors influencing Marital Satisfaction in Married Immigrant Women (N=200)
kjwhn-17-99-i004

Notes

This article is a condensed form of the first author's master's thesis from Chungnam National University.

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