A Culture-centered Approach to Mental Health of Korean International Graduate Students in the US
Abstract
This study reviews mental health of Korean international graduate students and it searches for cultural and socioeconomic determinants where environmental factors influence individual mental health. The culture-centered approach is a framework in health communication, which discusses mental health in the context of culture, structure, and agency. This study also applies the grounded theory for emerging themes inductively analyzing the pool of data from 22 participants, who joined the one-on-one in-depth interviews. They conceptualize what mental health is, discuss the factors affecting mental health, and share how they manage mental health needs. There are three overarching meta-themes. The first meta-theme is mental health is a neglected concept in personal relations, where mental health topics are avoided. Individuals do not discuss mental health but the society suffers from mental health issues. Individuals are susceptible to mental illnesses in Korean society and the second meta-theme is the lack of acknowledgement of mental health as an issue. This theme is linked to the stigma in seeking help and isolating mentally ill people. Koreans do not tackle their mental problems, but social harmony is prioritized over mental health. The third meta-theme is mental health needs supported by family, friends, and activities.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Acharya, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Behavioral psychology|Educational psychology
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