The purpose of this study was to examine the correlates of depressive symptoms among older Korean adults in three geographic locations with varying densities of the Korean population: mainland Korea (mostly Koreans), New York metropolitan area (high Korean density), and west central Florida (low Korean density). The study focused on the role of family and friend networks. Data were drawn from three sources: (1) a multistage national sample of Koreans in South Korea (n = 403); (2) a survey conducted in the western/central Florida area that used a variety of culturally sensitive sampling strategies (n = 672); and (3) a survey in the New York metropolitan area (n = 420) that replicated the Florida study. For those living in Korea, living alone and lower perceived financial status were independently associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. For the New York and Florida samples, fair or poor self-rating of health, lower levels of acculturation, and weaker ties with family were related to higher levels of depressive symptoms. Similar to the older Korean sample, lower perceived financial status was linked with greater depressive symptoms in the New York sample. The overall results suggest that it is important to consider the interplay of the social network, personal, and cultural resources when working with older adults in diverse contexts. Intervention efforts should address mental health issues tailored to cultural and social settings.

中文翻译：

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社交网络对抑郁症状的作用：三个地理区域中年长韩国人的比较。

本研究的目的是检查韩国人口密度不同的三个地理位置的韩国老年人抑郁症状的相关性：韩国大陆（主要是韩国人）、纽约都会区（韩国人口密度高）和佛罗里达州中西部（韩语密度低）。该研究侧重于家庭和朋友网络的作用。数据来自三个来源：(1) 韩国韩国人的多阶段全国样本 (n = 403)；(2) 在佛罗里达州西部/中部地区进行的一项调查，该调查使用了各种文化敏感的抽样策略（n = 672）；(3) 在纽约大都市区 (n = 420) 进行的一项调查复制了佛罗里达州的研究。对于居住在韩国的人来说，独居和较低的经济状况与较高水平的抑郁症状独立相关。对于纽约和佛罗里达州的样本，健康自我评价一般或较差、文化程度较低以及与家人的联系较弱与抑郁症状水平较高有关。与较早的韩国样本类似，在纽约样本中，较低的财务状况与更严重的抑郁症状有关。总体结果表明，在不同背景下与老年人一起工作时，考虑社交网络、个人和文化资源的相互作用非常重要。干预工作应解决适合文化和社会环境的心理健康问题。在纽约样本中，较低的感知财务状况与更严重的抑郁症状有关。总体结果表明，在不同背景下与老年人一起工作时，考虑社交网络、个人和文化资源的相互作用非常重要。干预工作应解决适合文化和社会环境的心理健康问题。在纽约样本中，较低的感知财务状况与更严重的抑郁症状有关。总体结果表明，在不同背景下与老年人一起工作时，考虑社交网络、个人和文化资源的相互作用非常重要。干预工作应解决适合文化和社会环境的心理健康问题。