Life satisfaction, acculturation, and leisure participation among older urban Korean migrants

The purpose of this researcher was to determine the extent to which the levels of leisure participation and acculturation contribute to life satisfaction among elderly Korean immigrant. The researcher also examined the relationship between the level of acculturation and leisure participation patterns.;In order to answer the research questions, a sample of 127 Korean-born persons age 60 and older was recruited from several social service agencies located in Queens, New York, which serve Korean senior citizens from the New York metropolitan area and surveyed on their participation in leisure activities, acculturation level, life satisfaction, and demographic background variables. The sample was characterized as predominantly female, mostly married or widowed, living with their spouses or other family members, and to be in good-to-excellent health. They were elderly and had lived most of their lives outside of the U.S. Their education was limited, with few being educated beyond the elementary grades.;The major findings of the study were as follows: (1) The respondents tended to have low levels of participation in leisure activities. They also had low levels of acculturation, and low levels of life satisfaction. (2) Participants tended to participate in home and social activities much more than other forms of activities. Sports and outdoor activities were participated in the least of all. (3) Sex, age, and health status were significant influences on all forms of leisure participation. Married people participated in sports more than unmarried people; people who lived with their spouses or by themselves participated in spectator and educational activities and sports more than those who lived with non-spousal others. Respondents with more education participated more in home and social activities, spectator and educational activities, and sports than those with lower educational levels. (4) Participation in leisure activities was positively related to the individual's level of acculturation and life satisfaction. Life satisfaction and acculturation were positively related. (5) After controlling for demographic background factors and acculturation, participation in leisure activities accounted for a significant portion of the variance in life satisfaction among Korean immigrant elderly persons.