Vietnamese women immigrants' life adaptation, social support, and depression

J Nurs Res. 2007 Dec;15(4):243-54. doi: 10.1097/01.jnr.0000387621.95306.98.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between life adaptation, social support, and depression among migrant Vietnamese women living in Meinong Township, Kaohsiung County. With a cross-sectional study design, 143 participants were recruited by purposive sampling. Structured questionnaires including Demographic Inventory Scale, Life Adaptation Scale, Social Support Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory Scale were used. Data were analyzed with Pearson's correlation and One-way ANOVA. The results showed that Vietnamese women's social support was significantly correlated with the length of time living in Taiwan, the length of marriage, and their husbands' age. Women's social support was significantly different with languages in common, the way of acquaintance with her husband, and family members living together. Depression was significantly different with family income. Life adaptation was also significantly different with family income. Moreover, there was a significantly positive correlation between Vietnamese women's social support and life adaptation, and significantly negative correlations between Vietnamese women's social support and depression, and between their life adaptation and depression. The study findings could be used as references for health professionals and government agencies to institute strategies and policies for promoting migrant Vietnamese women's life adaptation.

MeSH terms

  • Acculturation
  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / ethnology*
  • Depression / prevention & control
  • Emigration and Immigration* / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Health Promotion
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Humans
  • Income / statistics & numerical data
  • Life Change Events
  • Marriage / ethnology*
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Social Support*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Taiwan / epidemiology
  • Time Factors
  • Vietnam / ethnology
  • Women / education
  • Women / psychology*