Research Sense for Korean American Therapy

In this episode, we discuss a 2023 study on successful aging among Asian Americans, highlighting differences from models based on White Americans. While traditional models emphasize physical and mental health, mastery, and life engagement, the study identifies positive emotions and higher education as the key predictors of successful aging for Asian Americans. We also share personal stories about...

In this episode, we uncover the hidden dynamics shaping the academic success of Asian American students. Is it all about "tiger parenting," or are there more profound influences at work? We explore the findings of Chang and Shi’s meta-analysis, revealing how warm family environments, supportive schools, and tight-knit communities create the foundation for thriving students. Contrary to the model m...

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of disordered eating and body image pressures that Asian American women experience. Despite eating disorders having the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, studies show that while 74% of individuals recognize their need for help, only 28% pursue treatment – and among Asian American women, this number drops to a mere 6%. Join us as we explor...

In this episode, we dive into a fascinating topic: the relationship between acculturation and the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among Asian Americans. While only one-third of Americans use alternative medicine practices like acupuncture, herbal remedies, and meditation, a striking 75% of Asian Americans engage in at least one form of CAM annually. From Sam's memories of his g...

In this episode, we delve into the complex issue of intimate partner violence (IPV) among Korean Americans, discussing key insights from chapter 10 in Understanding Korean Americans’ Mental Health: A Guide to Culturally Competent Practices, Program Developments, and Policies. We uncover alarming statistics that show high rates of IPV in the Korean American community, explore unique cultural factor...

In this episode, we unpack the "model minority" stereotype, exploring how it affects Asian Americans' self-esteem and identity. We trace the term’s origins to the 1960s, when it was used to praise Asian Americans for hard work and determination. Over time, however, it has evolved into a double-edged sword, setting unrealistic expectations and being weaponized to downplay systemic racism. We discus...

We’re diving into Chapter 1 of "Understanding Korean Americans’ Mental Health: A Guide to Culturally Competent Practices, Program Developments, and Policies.”  Join us as we unpack the critical issues facing Korean American youth and their families, drawing from groundbreaking research and poignant case studies. From academic pressures to identity crises, this episode offers a nuanced look at the...

We're delving into Chapter 7 of "Korean American Families in Immigrant America: How Teens and Parents Navigate Race" by Sumi Okazaki and Nancy Abelmann. In this episode, we focus on the Hyun family, who immigrated to the US in 2003 with their teenage sons. Their story offers a raw and authentic glimpse into the challenges of late immigration, cultural adaptation, and family dynamics. The chapter p...

We're diving into Chapter 5 of "Korean American Families in Immigrant America: How Teens and Parents Navigate Race" by Sumi Okazaki and Nancy Abelmann. This insightful ethnographic study explores the nuanced dynamics of Korean American families, focusing on the unique challenges and experiences they face. In our previous episode, we laid the groundwork for understanding the broader context of thes...

Welcome back, everyone! We're excited to kick off Season Four with something a bit different. In this three-part series, we'll delve into the book Korean American Families in Immigrant America: How Teens and Parents Navigate Race by Sumi Okazaki and Nancy Abelman. This captivating work offers an in-depth exploration of the experiences of Korean American families, shedding light on their unique cha...

In this special podcast episode, we had the amazing opportunity to chat with Dr. Keiko McCullough, an assistant professor in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Denver. We previously discussed two of their research papers in Season 1 Episode 4 and Season 2 Episode 5, but this time, we talked to the researcher directly about their background and journey into academia. In today’s...

In today's episode, we delve into an insightful paper titled "Examination of Korean Immigrant Mothers’ Parenting Practices: By Using the Framework of Bilinear Acculturation," authored by Eunju Yoon, Yoonsun Choi, Jeong-Eun Suh, and Sarah Galvin in 2021.  The discussion revolves around acculturation and enculturation, specifically focusing on Korean immigrant mothers' parenting pr...

In this episode, we discuss a research paper titled "Please Forgive Me, Asian and Pacific Islander American Suicide Notes" by Y. Joel  Wong, Kuo Deng, and Yi Li published in 2021. Please note: Today’s episode is related to suicide. Listener discretion is advised. About 30% of Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) individuals leave suicide notes before taking their lives. What do the...

In this episode, we dive into a recently published study titled "A Meta-Analytic Review of Asian American Life Satisfaction." The study was authored by Kristina Tran, Ashly Bennett, Aryele Jackson, Hannah Proctor, and Christie N. Scollon in 2023. This research article is a groundbreaking move as it is the first meta-analysis on Asian Americans' life satisfaction. The researchers anal...

In this episode, we delve into the study "An Exploration of Racial Differences of Psychosocial Stressors and Their Association With Mental Health Between Asian and White Sexual Minority Men: The P18 Cohort Study." This paper was recently published in 2023 by Nguyen K. Tran, Thomas P. Le, Kristen D. Krause, Richard J. Martino, and Perry N. Halkitis. The study shows high levels of mental h...

We discuss a study entitled: “Bullying and Discrimination Experiences Among Korean-American Adolescents.” Did you know that one in three Korean American teenagers have reported being bullied in the past? This paper is the first-ever research conducted on the experiences of Korean American adolescents. We discuss how bullying affects the mental health of students, the different perspectives of bull...

We discuss a study entitled: The Experience of Acculturative Stress-Related Growth from Immigrants’ Perspectives by Junhyoung Kim and Hakjun Kim, published in 2013. What are some of the challenges that Korean American seniors have faced when they immigrated to the United States? Additionally, what are some positive changes they have experienced as a result of acculturation? This article highlights...

We discuss a study entitled: Role of Perfectionism in the Career Decision Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectations of Asian American College Students by Han Na Suh and Lisa Y. Flores (2022) Making decisions about one's career can be a difficult and stressful one to make. What affects these decisions among Asian American college students? How do the traits of self-efficacy, outcome expectation, a...

We discuss a study entitled: Parental Attachment Among Korean American Adolescents by Wansoo Park published in 2009. The parents' relationship with their children is often discussed as such an important protective factor. However, not many studies look specifically at Korean American parental relationships. Today's episode, we dive into a study that examined the different kinds of relation...

We are excited to announce that Season 3 is here! Co-hosts Dr. Samuel Kim and Sharon Kim share their experiences during the one-year hiatus and their goals for the upcoming season

We discuss a study entitled: The mediating role of Korean immigrant mothers' psychological well-being in the associations between social support and authoritarian parenting style by Seo, Cheah, Özdemir, Hart, Leung, & Sun published in 2018. Many of us are familiar with strict parenting and may know of others who had a "tiger" mom growing up. What if the mother's "tiger mom-ness" was partially...

We discuss a study entitled: Racial Discrimination, Distress, Coping Motives, and Alcohol-Related Problems Among U.S. - Born Asian American Young Adults by Iwamoto, Kane, Negi, Collado, Tofighi published in 2022. It's not secret that there are a lot of Asian American college students who drink alcohol during their university days. But, does it mean that if a student drinks a beer, that it's a prob...

We discuss a study entitled: Willingness to use mental health counseling and antidepressants in older Korean Americans: the role of beliefs and stigma about depression by Park, Jang, and Chiriboga published in 2018. There is considerable stigma against mental health within the Korean American community, but how does that stigma affect a vulnerable group such as older Korean Americans? This episode...

We discuss a study entitled: Predicting Psychological Distress Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic by Machine Learning: Discrimination and Coping Mechanisms of Korean Immigrants in the U.S. by Choi, Hong, Kim, & Park published in 2020. The pandemic and acts of hate and racial discrimination all took a toll on the Korean and Asian American communities. Though there were many atrocities and so many peopl...

We discuss a study entitled: Culturally Specific Parent Mental Distress, Parent-Child Relations and Youth Depression Among Korean American Families by Yasui, Kim, and Choi published in 2018. Families are a major part of a Korean American's mental health, whether it's the presence or absence of them, whether they provide resilience or bring about frustration. How do Korean American families talk ab...