Research on Depression in Married Immigrant Women: Trends in Korea

여성결혼이민자의 우울에 관한 연구 동향

Purpose: This study was done to identify the current status of research on depression in married immigrant women and to suggest directions for future nursing research. Method: Sixteen articles for the period between 2001 and 2010 were selected by key words such as "Married Immigrant Women" and "Depression" from the databases (RISS4U et al). Results: Twelve of the research reports were related to correlations and 4 were related to interventions. Depression level was measured using BDI or CES-D. Depression levels were as follows: 20-30% reported major depression and less than 10%, severe depression. Factors which influenced depression included: socio-demographic factors, and family, economic, psychological and situational characteristics. Psychological treatment prevailed in the intervention research, for example, art therapy, and horticultural therapy. In 2 papers significant improvement in the state of depression among participants in the intervention group were reported. Conclusion: The next phase of nursing research related to married immigrant women is to reconsider the importance of the concept of depression to reexamine research methods and directions.