A Study of Social Support and Life Satisfaction in Middle-aged Korean Immigrants in Sidney: Mediation Effect of Acculturation and Depression

Abstract

This study intends to grasp the relationship between social support and life satisfaction in middle-aged Korean immigrants in Sidney and to investigate the acculturation and depression relation which seem to mediate these 2 variables. To this end, this study analyzed 233 middle-aged Koreans living in Sidney by employing structural equations. The result of analysis is as follows. First, life satisfaction, acculturation and depression are directly affected by social support, while life satisfaction and depression are not directly affected by acculturation. Further, life satisfaction is negatively affected by depression. Second, life satisfaction is affected by social support with the mediation of acculturation and depression variables. This paper provides information on life satisfaction variables for middle-aged Koreans living in Sidney and basic data of welfare policy for future immigrants in Korea. Further, it will provide meaningful suggestion point in establishing and propelling multi-cultural policy of Korea which just perceives the necessity of multi-culture and begins multi-cultural policy.