Research Sense for Korean American Therapy

In this special podcast episode, we had the amazing opportunity to chat with Dr. Keiko McCullough, an assistant professor in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Denver. We previously discussed two of their research papers in Season 1 Episode 4 and Season 2 Episode 5, but this time, we talked to the researcher directly about their background and journey into academia. In today’s episode, Dr. McCullough talks about growing up in the Midwest with a mixed-race family and the importance of representation in media. We also get some insider tips on how they draw inspiration from everyday observations, art, and entertainment. And if you’re a graduate student, you don’t want to miss out on the valuable advice Dr. McCullough gives as a professor. 

This episode was recorded in 2023.

In today's episode, we delve into an insightful paper titled "Examination of Korean Immigrant Mothers’ Parenting Practices: By Using the Framework of Bilinear Acculturation," authored by Eunju Yoon, Yoonsun Choi, Jeong-Eun Suh, and Sarah Galvin in 2021. 

The discussion revolves around acculturation and enculturation, specifically focusing on Korean immigrant mothers' parenting practices in the U.S. We break down the concepts of acculturation and enculturation, emphasizing how these factors shape parenting styles. We explore how Korean immigrant parents blend their traditional values, such as family harmony and interdependence, with the more egalitarian and open communication practices prevalent in American culture. We also touch upon the study's findings, highlighting the importance of autonomy and independence in influencing positive outcomes for the children, including lower depression levels and improved academic performance.

You can find the abstract here: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-10956-001

In this episode, we discuss a research paper titled "Please Forgive Me, Asian and Pacific Islander American Suicide Notes" by Y. Joel  Wong, Kuo Deng, and Yi Li published in 2021.

Please note: Today’s episode is related to suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

About 30% of Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) individuals leave suicide notes before taking their lives. What do these notes say, and what can we learn from these notes? We discuss the study’s findings, revealing that APIA females and youths are most likely to leave suicide notes. The notes often express psychological distress, feelings of burdening others, and feelings of not belonging somewhere. We discuss why interpersonal relationships can be a protective factor against suicidal ideation and encourage open dialogue and seeking professional help to strengthen strained relationships.

You can find the abstract here: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-86645-001

In this episode, we dive into a recently published study titled "A Meta-Analytic Review of Asian American Life Satisfaction." The study was authored by Kristina Tran, Ashly Bennett, Aryele Jackson, Hannah Proctor, and Christie N. Scollon in 2023.

This research article is a groundbreaking move as it is the first meta-analysis on Asian Americans' life satisfaction. The researchers analyzed 36 studies to understand the factors that affect the life satisfaction of Asian Americans. We discuss various factors that influence their life satisfaction, such as collectivism, acculturation, generational status, income, education, and experiences of discrimination. The episode reveals a surprising finding that culture has a more significant impact on an individual's happiness than their geographical location.

Join us to explore a thought-provoking discussion that might change the way you approach the casual "How are you?" question.

You can find the abstract here: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2023-34531-001

In this episode, we delve into the study "An Exploration of Racial Differences of Psychosocial Stressors and Their Association With Mental Health Between Asian and White Sexual Minority Men: The P18 Cohort Study." This paper was recently published in 2023 by Nguyen K. Tran, Thomas P. Le, Kristen D. Krause, Richard J. Martino, and Perry N. Halkitis.

The study shows high levels of mental health struggles and thoughts of suicide in Asian American men who identify as gay or bisexual. We look into why this is happening, such as feeling isolated from the LGBT community and dealing with how the Asian community reacts to their sexual orientation. Our aim is to highlight the specific challenges and mental health issues faced by these individuals, providing insights for mental health professionals and for friends and family in the Asian American community. Throughout our talk, we mainly use the term "LGBT community" to stay consistent with the language used in the research paper.

You can find the abstract here: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2023-35776-001

We discuss a study entitled: “Bullying and Discrimination Experiences Among Korean-American Adolescents.”

Did you know that one in three Korean American teenagers have reported being bullied in the past? This paper is the first-ever research conducted on the experiences of Korean American adolescents. We discuss how bullying affects the mental health of students, the different perspectives of bullies and victims when it comes to the reasons for bullying, and what parents can do to help their children when they face bullying.

You can find the abstract here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.01.004

We discuss a study entitled: The Experience of Acculturative Stress-Related Growth from Immigrants’ Perspectives by Junhyoung Kim and Hakjun Kim, published in 2013.

What are some of the challenges that Korean American seniors have faced when they immigrated to the United States? Additionally, what are some positive changes they have experienced as a result of acculturation? This article highlights three positive outcomes that have resulted from the acculturation process, including improved mental fortitude, a deeper understanding of American culture, and opportunities to engage in meaningful activities.

You can find the abstract here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3402/qhw.v8i0.21355

We discuss a study entitled: Role of Perfectionism in the Career Decision Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectations of Asian American College Students by Han Na Suh and Lisa Y. Flores (2022)

You can find the abstract here: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2023-04630-001

We discuss a study entitled: Parental Attachment Among Korean American Adolescents by Wansoo Park published in 2009.

You can find the abstract here: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-11864-003

We are excited to announce that Season 3 is here! Co-hosts Dr. Samuel Kim and Sharon Kim share their experiences during the one-year hiatus and their goals for the upcoming season