• Human Ecology Research
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.27-40
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• 2019

Based on the stress process model, this study examined the process of how military personnel's occupational characteristics (i.e., long and unspecified work hours, frequent moving) is associated with their wives' marital satisfaction and parenting stress. We focused on whether the wives' perception toward the characteristics of military occupation and the wives' military family pride mediated the association. An online survey was conducted with 323 women married to professional active-duty military husbands, had at least one preschool child, and lived with the husband and child. Using structural equation modeling, we found that the wives' perception of military occupational characteristics and military family pride mediated the relationship between their husband's work hours and the wives' marital satisfaction and parenting stress. This serial multiple mediation indicated that the longer and more unspecified the husband's work hours were, the more negative the wife's perceptions were towards his military occupation, which led to lower marital satisfaction and higher parenting stress. The single mediation effect of negative perceptions was also significant. Frequent moving was indirectly related to the wives' marital satisfaction and parenting stress through only the wives' negative perceptions toward military occupational characteristics. This result indicates that military spouses who experienced frequent moves are likely to have more negative attitudes toward military occupation, which leads to lower marital satisfactions and higher parenting stress. This study contributes to the literature by identifying the underlying mechanisms between military occupational characteristics and military wives' family life through the mediating roles of negative perceptions and military family pride.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2014

As Korea is moving toward multicultural society, the number of Muslim, whose religion has a great influence on diet-related behaviors, is increasing in Korea. Since the number of immigrants from Indonesia ranks within top ten in Korea and Indonesia is one of the most representative Islamic countries in Asia, understanding the diet-related behaviors and food preferences of Indonesians is needed. This study was conducted to investigate diet-related behaviors, factors affecting the diet-related perceptions, and food preferences of the Indonesians. The subjects included 500 Indonesians dwelling in Jakarta, Indonesia. About ninety % of the subjects in this study were Muslims. They did not eat pork and dog meat for religious reason and they practiced fasting during Ramadan period. Indonesians avoided pineapple, durian, and hot foods during pregnancy and usually ate vegetables and fruits after birth, which seemed to be due to sociocultural influence. Among the subjects, 21.5% were obese and major health problems reported were hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Their preference for fried food items might have contributed to health problems. Subjects had meals mostly at home (2.3 times/day) and dined out occasionally (1.2 times/week) at Indonesian restaurants (56.6%) or family restaurants (21.0%). In conclusion, Indonesians had home-based and native food-oriented dietary life with strong religious and sociocultural influence on food choices. Further research on specific nutrient intake analysis is needed to better understand and to improve dietary life of Indonesians in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Comparative Education
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.71-95
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• 2014

This is a pilot study of multifaceted longitudinal research project to explore educational experiences of students with multicultural family backgrounds in Korea. Especially for this pilot study, I selected three foreign-born immigrant youths and tried to explore how these youths describe constraints of their learning experience in different culture. The data for this study were mainly collected through qualitative research methods. For a better understanding of the research participants' perceptions in this study, narrative inquiry and series of semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted for a period of four months which corresponds to one semester of school system in Korea. As a result, this study found that there is an urgent need to establish a systemic and developmentaly appropriate language education programs that ensure educating the language to the foreign-born immigrant youths because their academic achievement, interpersonal relationships, and future depend greatly on the fluency of Korean language. It was also found that it is necessary to take appropriate educational actions in supporting alternative schools where the foreign-born immigrant youths can fully and seriously considered as a whole person. Although this study has some limitations in examining every single aspect of the current state of education of students with multicultural backgrounds in Korea, it provides deep insight into some of their initial educational experiences and proposes several ways to improve these educational programs for them.

• Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.367-375
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to explore the reasons why Chinese marriage immigrant women do not teach their children to learn their mother tongue to second language and to present improvement plans about it. We have collected data mainly through in-depth-interview of four Chinese marriage immigrant women that have lived in Korea for more than 10 years from March to June, 2017. The results show that there are four environmental aspects why they do not teach their children to learn their mother tongue. First, their children are lack of access to learn Chinese. Second, their children do not want to learn Chinese because of the negative images of China in Korea. Third, Chinese marriage immigrant women are busy adjusting themselves to the Korean society so that they have no time to teach their children to learn Chinese. Lastly, Chinese marriage immigrant women are lack of confidence to teach their children to learn Chinese and Chinese culture, because it exist that Koreans have negative perceptions of other cultures. We hope that there will be opportunities for marriage immigrant women to teach their children to learn their mother tongue through this study.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.451-459
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between parenting experiences of married immigrant women and their mental health including self-esteem and depression. Data came from 471 married immigrant women with a child who participated in the home visiting program for children of multicultural families provided by Multicultural Family Support Centers. The results indicated that, the mothers' self-esteem was related to their perceptions of parenting, parenting stress, marital satisfaction, and social support. In addition, the mothers' depression was associated with their proficiency in Korean, household income, perception of parenting, parenting stress, knowledge on child development, marital satisfaction, and social support. These findings suggest that the parenting experiences of married immigrant women are closely related to their mental health. Parenting education programs that increase parenting efficacy and reduce parenting stress would be helpful to improve the mental health of married immigrant women.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.529-542
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• 2021

The purpose of this research is to compare the mathematical beliefs that directly or indirectly affect the mathematics learning of Korean languge learners with those of non-Korean languge learners and identify the characteristics. To this end, an analytical comparative research was conducted through a questionnaire survey on perceptions of mathematics learning for 6th grade students of elementary school with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds in the same mathematics classroom. As a result of the analysis, Korean languge learners and non-Korean languge learners gave different meanings to learning mathematics, and they recognized various meanings of success in mathematics. In addition, the math learning ability of non-Korean learners was evaluated higher than that of Korean learners. Based on their positive beliefs, they decided how to resolve conflict situations with different problem-solving results. It will be necessary to prepare a teaching/learning plan that can fully implement multicultural mathematics education in the mathematics classroom where Korean language learners with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds belong. The results of this research can contribute to raising awareness of the need for follow-up researches to find ways to reduce the learning gap between Korean languge learners and non-Korean languge learners. It is expected that this research will contribute to understanding the perceptive characteristics of Korean language learners about learning mathematics and to prepare a plan to utilize them in mathematics lessons.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.sup1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2013

Multicultural scholarship in sport and exercise psychology should help us understand and apply cultural competencies for all to be physically active. In the present study, two Asian countries, Japan and Singapore, were chosen. The participation rate for physical activities among adolescent girls tends to be lower than that of boys in both countries. Thus, the purpose of the project was to gain knowledge and understanding about sociocultural factors that may explain adolescent girls' perceptions and behaviors toward sport, physical activity, and physical education (PE). A qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with focus groups was used to understand meanings of physical activity among Buddhist Japanese, and Hindu Indians and Christian Chinese from Singapore. Each focus group consisted of four or five girls and female researchers. Based on the analysis, we created four themes which were "cultural identities", "Asian girls and sport/physical activities", "PE experiences", "motivation for future involvement". The Buddhist Japanese, Hindu Indian, and Christian Chinese participants each reported unique physical activity experiences, and all the participants were aware of how Asian culture may affect being physically active. Experiences of PE classes were similar but perceptions of their PE attire were different for Christian Chinese and Hindu Indian adolescent girls. Based on the results, the importance of nurturing cultural competencies and ways to encourage girls to be physically active throughout life were discussed.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.183-193
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• 2023

Purpose: This study was aimed at identifying the factors influencing the practice of taegyo in pregnant women. Methods: A descriptive survey-based study design was used. The study included 210 married pregnant women aged 19 years or higher, excluding pregnant women from multicultural families, who attended the outpatient obstetrics and gynecology departments of a general hospital and a tertiary hospital in C City, from June 29, 2022, to September 8, 2022. Independent t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple regression analysis were used to determine the factors influencing the practice of taegyo. Results: The mean of the subjects' practice of taegyo was 3.49 ± 0.47. The factors influencing the practice of taegyo among pregnant women were perception of taegyo and spousal support. The higher the perceptions of taegyo and the greater the spousal support, the higher the practice of taegyo. The explanatory power of the regression model was approximately 49.2%. Conclusion: The factors influencing the practice of taegyo among pregnant women were confirmed to be the perception of taegyo followed by spousal support. The findings of the study confirmed that efforts to improve the perception of taegyo and spousal support are necessary to improve the adoption of the practice of taegyo among pregnant women.

• The Journal of Economics, Marketing and Management
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.1-11
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigates the factors influencing housing satisfaction among foreign residents in South Korea by examining their perceptions and values. It aims to provide insights for developing responsive and inclusive housing policies that cater to the diverse needs of this demographic amidst rapid technological and societal changes. Research design, data and methodology: The study, conducted from April to May 2024, surveyed 381 foreign residents in Seoul and major cities. Participants, selected based on a minimum one-year residency, completed structured questionnaires. The survey covered demographic details, housing preferences, and satisfaction. Data analysis using SPSS 27.0 involved frequency analysis, factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis to identify significant factors affecting housing satisfaction among foreign residents. Results: Five of the six housing preference variables significantly impacted satisfaction, with housing facilities being the most influential. Housing environment, affordability, location, and management also had notable effects on satisfaction levels. Conclusions: The study reveals significant determinants of housing satisfaction among foreign residents in South Korea, highlighting the need for inclusive housing policies. Addressing the diverse needs of foreign residents is crucial for supporting Korea's transition to a multicultural society and enhancing foreign residents' integration and overall satisfaction. This includes tailored policies for different demographic groups based on their specific housing preferences and economic conditions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5349-5357
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality among women of all ethnic and age groups in Malaysia. Delay in seeking help for breast cancer symptoms is preventable and by identifying possible factors for delayed diagnosis, patient prognosis and survival rates could be improved. Objectives: This narrative review aimed to understand and evaluate the level of in-depth breast cancer knowledge in terms of clinical breast examination and breast self-examination, and other important aspects such as side-effects and risk factors in Malaysian females. Since Malaysia is multicultural, this review assessed social perceptions, cultural beliefs and help-seeking behaviour in respect to breast cancer among different ethnic groups, since these may impinge on efforts to 'avoid' the disease. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search of seven databases was performed from December 2015 to January 2015. Screening of relevant published journals was also undertaken to identify available information related to the knowledge, perception and help-seeking behaviour of Malaysian women in relation to breast cancer. Results: A total of 42 articles were appraised and included in this review. Generally, women in Malaysia had good awareness of breast cancer and its screening tools, particularly breast self-examination, but only superficial in-depth knowledge about the disease. Women in rural areas had lower levels of knowledge than those in urban areas. It was also shown that books, magazines, brochures and television were among the most common sources of breast cancer information. Delay in presentation was attributed mainly to a negative social perception of the disease, poverty, cultural and religion practices, and a strong influence of complementary and alternative medicine, rather than a lack of knowledge. Conclusions: This review highlighted the need for an intensive and in-depth breast cancer education campaigns using media and community health programmes, even with the existing good awareness of breast cancer. This is essential in order to avoid misconceptions and to frame the correct mind-set about breast cancer among women in Malaysia. Socio-cultural differences and religious practices should be taken into account by health care professionals when advising on breast cancer. Women need to be aware of the risk factors and symptoms of breast cancer so that early diagnosis can take place and the chances of survival improved.