Friends, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction among older Korean Americans

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Authors
Roh, Soonhee
Lee, Yeon-Shim
Lee, Kyoung Hag
Shibusawa, Tazuko
Yoo, Grace J.
Advisors
Issue Date
2015-08
Type
Article
Keywords
Depressive symptoms , Social network support , Life satisfaction , Older Korean Americans
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Citation
Roh, Soonhee; Lee, Yeon-Shim; Lee, Kyoung Hag; Shibusawa, Tazuko; Yoo, Grace J. 2015. Friends, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction among older Korean Americans. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, August 2015, vol. 17:no. 4:pp 1091-1097
Abstract

This study examined the interactive effects of social network support and depressive symptoms on life satisfaction among older Korean Americans (KAs). Using data from a sample of 200 elders in a large metropolitan area (M (age) = 72.50, SD = 5.15), hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the interaction between social network support and depressive symptoms on life satisfaction among older KAs. After controlling for demographic variables, both social network support and depressive symptoms were identified as predictors for life satisfaction. Interaction effects indicated strong associations between higher social network support specifically from friends and lower depressive symptoms with higher levels of life satisfaction. Findings highlight the important role that friends play in terms of social network support for the mental health of older KAs, and the need for geriatric practitioners to monitor and assess the quality of social network support-including friendships-when working with older KAs.

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Publisher
Springer International Publishing AG
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Book Title
Series
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health;v.17:no.4
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
1557-1912
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