Resilience and Depressive Symptoms among Korean Americans with History of Traumatic Life Experience

This study investigates socio-demographic characteristics and resilience and depressive symptoms among Korean Americans (KAs) with traumatic life experiences. Community-residing 285 KAs living in New York City and Teaneck, New Jersey completed questionnaires measuring traumatic life experiences, depressive symptoms, and resilience. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlations, and two-step hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. 54% of KAs with traumatic life experiences reported at least mild depressive symptoms; greater resilience was associated with fewer such symptoms. English proficiency, length of time in US, marital status, and employment were significant predictors for depressive symptoms in the first step of multiple regression, but when resilience was introduced in the second step, it was the only significant predictor of depressive symptoms. The findings suggest that resilience should be supported to promote positive mental health outcomes for traumatized KAs who are depressed, and that resilience-focused interventions for this population should be designed.