challenges and strengths influencing adjustment and marital satisfaction for immigrant women who

267 Pages·2012·1.47 MB·English

CHALLENGES AND STRENGTHS INFLUENCING ADJUSTMENT
AND MARITAL SATISFACTION FOR IMMIGRANT WOMEN WHO
MARRIED KOREAN MEN IN KOREA

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE DIVISION OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

IN

SOCIAL WELFARE

DECEMBER 2012

By
Mihye Choi

Dissertation Committee

: Meripa Godinet, Chairperson
Jing Guo
Seunghye Hong
Hamilton McCubbin
Helen Slaughter
Rebecca Stotzer

Keyword: Immigrant Women, International Marriages, Strengths, Korean Husbands
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

It is a pleasure to thank those who made the completion of this dissertation possible.
This project was strongly supported and offered by many people throughout the whole
process. I would like to show my gratitude for each of their unique contributions.
I have been fortunate to have a talented and brilliant advisor. Dr. Meripa Godinet
has provided me with remarkable wisdom and sincere guidance over the past few years. I
also would like to show my gratitude to the members of my committees, Dr. Jing Guo, Dr.
Seounghye Hong, Dr. Hamilton McCubbin, Dr. Helen Slaughter, and Dr. Rebecca Stotzer,
for their helpful comments, knowledge and insight into this project. Their dedication and
support have contributed to my success in completing this dissertation.
I am exceedingly appreciative of many other professors who offered insightful
teaching and led me to develop my potential as a researcher and scholar during my doctoral
studies. Particular thanks, too, to Dr. Paula Morelli, a Ph. D. program Chair, for her
thoughtful leadership and care. I am grateful for the financial assistance from the school of
social work at the University of Hawaii which was appreciated and needed for my doctoral
studies.
My colleagues have been very warm, keen and supportive of me throughout this
academic journey as friends, learners, researchers and social workers. Michiyo Tomioka, 1-
year my senior, has been a good helper who has outstanding knowledge and experience. I
have been very glad to share joy and difficulties with my cohorts: Sharima Abbas, Candy
Branson, Colleen Fox, Vince Okada, Chris Rochhio, and Suresh Tamang. They were
extremely very helpful and have shown sincere companionship even when I was exhausted
and had lost the way. Special thanks to Colleen for her generous help and genuine
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companionship.
It was fortunate that I met some very significant professors and professionals in
Korea. Dr. Chongbok Lee at Pyoung Taek University helped me to meet adequate
interviewees. Dr. Soohuyn Yu at Soongsil University has been supportive in many ways. Dr.
Minsun Seoung at Catholic University who retired last year, has thoughtfully encouraged me
in my research and studies. I also am thankful for Dr. Huynmi Kim at Multicultural Family
Center in Pyoungtaek, who shared her research experience from her dissertation project and
offered specific assistance in finding interviewees.
This dissertation project could never have reached fulfillment without the voluntary
contribution of immigrant women and their husbands who entrusted me with their intimate
personal experiences and taught me about the power of humility, appreciation, strengths and
resilience. I am grateful that I have delightfully honored and represented their voices. I was
touched by their honesty and positive attitude in spite of the many difficulties. I hope this
dissertation will contribute to their efforts to overcome difficulties and their patience in
adjustment in Korea
I have been blessed with several incredible friends who provided countless
kindnesses and assistance throughout my life. Sunmeen Kim in New Jersey as a best friend
has always stood by my side and provided financial support very often. I could not have
completed my doctoral studies without financial support and prayer of and Zion
Presbyterian Church (Pastor Jongman, Yoo) and Heyseoung Yoon. In addition, Eden Korean
Presbyterian Church (Pastor Peter Song) offered emotional support and strength when I
stayed in Honolulu.
I dedicate this project to my father, who suffered from cancer and then passed away
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during my doctoral program. Empathic humanity and thoughtful consideration I learned
from him. My mother made me a strong person who could adjust in any situation. I would
like to share my joy of achievement with my siblings and my aunts. The most precious ones
are my nephew and niece who always have given me some laughs and happiness. Finally, I
give all of my appreciation and glory to God! I was happy and am happy in His Love. As
C.S. Louis said, God has brought me where I am.
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ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to identify challenges and strengths influencing
adjustment and marital satisfaction of immigrant women who married Korean men in Korea.
This study, by identifying immigrant women’s strengths, could help them to find greater
enjoyment in their lives and have the ability to achieve a better life. This research uses three
theoretical perspectives, acculturation phenomena, family relationships, and social
environment, to provide a better understanding of immigrant women’s adjustment and their
married life. With this purpose, sixteen immigrant women and two of their husbands were
interviewed in depth. The marriage period of all participants ranged from three to twelve
years. In their marital experience, participants identified four stages: first, they may find
themselves isolated; second, they realized and accepted the reality of their situation; third,
they felt stable and settled; fourth, their life improved, and they were optimistic and hopeful
about their future. The results of the study showed the following strengths for these
immigrant women that have enabled them to sustain their married life and acculturation to
Korea: 1) their self-esteem as an emotional and individual resource seemed to have a
positive impact on their marriage and life; 2) these women seemed to have cultural
advantages that made the acculturation to the Korean society easier; 3) most of the women
exhibited characteristics such as dedication, patience, and acceptance after experiencing
confusion and conflicts in the beginning; 4) the familial, social, and governmental support
system served as a great help in that they discovered a breakthrough or a resolution for their
problems; 5) the positive attitude of these women towards their lives in Korea was one of
their strengths; 6) their willingness and desire for social participation was another advantage;
7) these women had a future-oriented attitude, allowing them to dream about the future
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despite their difficulties; and finally 8) these immigrant women seemed to be future workers
full of the potential to raise multicultural families and to become positive role models for
other immigrant women.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................................................ ii
ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................................................................ v
LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................................................................. x
LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................................................................... xi
CHAPTER 1 ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................. 1
Background of the Study ......................................................................................................................................... 1
Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Importance of the Problem ................................................................................................................................... 10
Research Questions ................................................................................................................................................ 13
Immigrant Women’s Marital Satisfaction ......................................................................................................... 13
Immigrant Women and Policy, the “Grand Plan” ........................................................................................... 15
CHAPTER 2 CONCEPTUAL APPROACHES AND THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ......................... 22
Introduction.............................................................................................................................................................. 22
A Perspective on the Acculturation Phenomenon ........................................................................................... 22
A Perspective on Multicultural Family Relationships .................................................................................... 25
A Perspective on Person-in-Social Environment ............................................................................................ 31
CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................................... 35
Introduction.............................................................................................................................................................. 35
The Qualitative Paradigm ..................................................................................................................................... 35
Rationale for Grounded Theory .......................................................................................................................... 37
Research Design ..................................................................................................................................................... 40
Sampling ................................................................................................................................................................... 43
Sample Size and Description ............................................................................................................................... 46
Strategy for Recruitment of Participants ........................................................................................................... 48
Data Collection ....................................................................................................................................................... 50
Interviews ......................................................................................................................................................... 51
Document Review ........................................................................................................................................... 53
Participant Observation ............................................................................................................................... 54
Audio-visual Materials ................................................................................................................................. 55
Data Analysis ........................................................................................................................................................... 57
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Coding ....................................................................................................................................................................... 62
Open Coding ................................................................................................................................................... 63
Axial Coding .................................................................................................................................................... 64
Selective Coding ............................................................................................................................................. 65
Establishing Trustworthiness ............................................................................................................................... 66
Credibility ........................................................................................................................................................ 67
Transferability ................................................................................................................................................. 69
Dependability .................................................................................................................................................. 70
Confirmability ................................................................................................................................................. 70
Role of the Researcher .......................................................................................................................................... 71
Ethical Considerations........................................................................................................................................... 73
CHAPTER 4 RESEARCH FINDINGS AND THEORY DEVELOPMENT ................................................... 78
Introduction.............................................................................................................................................................. 78
Demographic Characteristics of the Research Participants .......................................................................... 78
Stories of the Participants ..................................................................................................................................... 80
Axial Coding Model .............................................................................................................................................. 95
Findings .................................................................................................................................................................... 95
International Marriage for a New Life ..................................................................................................... 95
Pre-Achieved Information on International Marriage ........................................................................ 101
Self-Construal ............................................................................................................................................... 103
Cultural Similarity ....................................................................................................................................... 105
Cultural Differences .................................................................................................................................... 108
A Sense of Isolation and Fear ................................................................................................................... 112
Challenges in Married life ......................................................................................................................... 114
Support from Family Members ................................................................................................................. 120
Social Support ............................................................................................................................................... 125
Governmental Support ................................................................................................................................ 127
Devotion and Consideration ...................................................................................................................... 132
Positive Attitudes towards Life .................................................................................................................. 135
Satisfaction at Being a Member of a Family.......................................................................................... 138
Social Participation ..................................................................................................................................... 141
Future Plans .................................................................................................................................................. 143
Category Analysis with a Paradigm ................................................................................................................. 147
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Stages of the Immigrant Women’s Experience in Marriage ....................................................................... 152
Core Category ....................................................................................................................................................... 161
Hypothetical Standardization & Hypothetical Relational Statement ........................................................ 163
An Analysis of the Patterns of the Immigrant Women ................................................................................. 167
An Analysis of the TV program Love in Asia ................................................................................................ 172
CHAPTER 5 DISCUSSION ...................................................................................................................................... 178
Introduction............................................................................................................................................................ 178
Summary ................................................................................................................................................................ 178
Challenges of Married Immigrant Women ..................................................................................................... 183
Strengths and Potentials of Immigrant Women ............................................................................................. 186
"Discovering Her Strengths”: At an Individual Level .................................................................................. 192
"Discovering Her Strengths”: At a Family Level .......................................................................................... 194
"Discovering Her Strengths”: At a Social Level ........................................................................................... 196
"Discovering Her Strengths”: At a Governmental Level ............................................................................. 198
Theoretical Implications ..................................................................................................................................... 201
Practical Implications .......................................................................................................................................... 205
Implications for Policy ........................................................................................................................................ 211
Strengths and Limitations of the Study ........................................................................................................... 227
Suggestions for Future Research ...................................................................................................................... 230
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................. 234
APPENDIX A: Informed Consent Form (English Version) ................................................................................ 236
APPENDIX B: Informed Consent Form (Korean Version: 면접동의서) .......................................................... 238
APPENDIX C: CHS Approval of the Study as Exempt ...................................................................................... 240
APPENDIX D: Interview Questions ........................................................................................................................ 241
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................................................. 243
x

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Demographic Characteristics of the Research Participants ............................................. 80
Table 2. Properties and Dimensions of Central Phenomenon ..................................................... 149
Table 3. Properties and Dimensions of Contextual Conditions ................................................... 150
Table 4. Properties and Dimensions of Intervening Condtions ................................................... 151
Table 5. Properties and Dimensions of Action/Interactional Strategies ...................................... 152
Table 6. Hypothetical Standardization ......................................................................................... 164
Table 7. An Analysis of the Patterns of the Immigrant Women ................................................... 167