Challenges and strengths influencing adjustment and marital satisfaction for immigrant women who married Korean men in Korea

Ph.D. University of Hawaii at Manoa 2012.Includes bibliographical references.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 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