AFTER THE SA-I-GU (APRIL 29) LOS-ANGELES RIOTS - CORRELATES OF SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING IN THE KOREAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY

Using 498 randomly selected Korean residents in Los Angeles from a recent epidemiological health telephone survey, correlates of subjective well-being in the Korean-American community were investigated including riot victim status, perceived riot effects, demographic variables (age, gender, and income), acculturation, and social support and social integration variables, approximately 6 months after the Sa-i-gu (April 29) Los Angeles Riots. Multiple regression analyses indicated that two indices of subjective well-being, general happiness and perceived physical health status, though significantly correlated, appeared to be influenced by different psychological processes. Moreover, significant gender differences were found in various types of correlates in accounting for the two indices of subjective well-being. Overall, of the correlates investigated, demographic (age and income) factors, perceived riot effects, acculturation indices, and social support/social integration contributed to both Korean-American men and women's subjective well-being. Certain effects of social support and social integration were not consistent with past research. Implications for future research and limitations were discussed in terms of community psychology's focus on extraindividual, as opposed to micro-level individual approaches.