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Min So Paek-Dissertation_final.pdf (921.61 KB)

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THE EFFECTS OF STRESSORS, FAMILY COMMUNICATION STRAIN, AND FAMILY COPING ON MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES AMONG CHINESE AND KOREAN-AMERICAN BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS: THE MODERATING EFFECTS OF ACCULTURATION

PAEK, MIN SO
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1374090355

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Social Welfare.
Chinese- and Korean-American breast cancer survivors (BCS) are at increased risk of developing mental health problems due to life and cancer-related stress. Few studies have examined the unique stress, challenges, and subsequent mental health outcomes among Chinese- and Korean-American BCS. This dissertation research investigates the direct and indirect pathways of primary (negative self-image and general life stress) and secondary stressors (family communication strain) and family coping influencing Chinese- and Korean-American BCS mental health outcomes. It also explores the potential moderating effect of acculturation level throughout the model. Utilizing a cross-sectional and descriptive design, a total of 156 Chinese- (n=85) and Korean-American BCS (n=71) were recruited from the California Cancer Surveillance Program, hospitals, and community agencies in Los Angeles. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to test the direct and indirect relationships among primary stressors, family communication strain, external and internal coping, and mental health outcomes, based on Pearlin’s stress process model. A key finding was that negative self-image, life stress, family communication strain, and external family coping were found to have direct relationships with mental health outcomes. Furthermore, family communication strain mediated the relationships between life stress and mental health outcomes. Use of external family coping strategies mediated the relationship between family communication strain and mental health outcomes. Multi-group analysis was used to test the moderating effect of acculturation in the overall model. Although statistical differences in baseline parameters were noted, the structural paths were equivalent between more and less acculturated groups. This indicates that the stress process may be similar regardless of the level of acculturation. This research contributes to the current knowledge by investigating the linkages of primary and secondary stressors, family coping, and mental health outcomes. Findings also contribute to knowledge development regarding how family communication strain and coping mediate the relationships between stressors and mental health outcomes. Results suggest that reducing strain in family communication and stimulating use of family coping strategies may be beneficial to mental health in vulnerable Chinese- and Korean-American BCS. These findings have significant practical implications for psychosocial interventions aimed at improving family communication and coping strategies for Chinese- and Korean-Americans BCS.
Jung-won Lim (Committee Co-Chair)
David Biegel (Committee Co-Chair)
Kathryn Adams (Committee Member)
Barbara Daly (Committee Member)
220 p.
Social Work
Breast cancer survivors; mental health; Chinese Americans; Korean Americans

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Citations

  • PAEK, M. S. (2013). THE EFFECTS OF STRESSORS, FAMILY COMMUNICATION STRAIN, AND FAMILY COPING ON MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES AMONG CHINESE AND KOREAN-AMERICAN BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS: THE MODERATING EFFECTS OF ACCULTURATION [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1374090355

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • PAEK, MIN SO. THE EFFECTS OF STRESSORS, FAMILY COMMUNICATION STRAIN, AND FAMILY COPING ON MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES AMONG CHINESE AND KOREAN-AMERICAN BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS: THE MODERATING EFFECTS OF ACCULTURATION . 2013. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1374090355.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • PAEK, MIN SO. "THE EFFECTS OF STRESSORS, FAMILY COMMUNICATION STRAIN, AND FAMILY COPING ON MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES AMONG CHINESE AND KOREAN-AMERICAN BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS: THE MODERATING EFFECTS OF ACCULTURATION ." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1374090355

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.