Mothers’ Korean Proficiency and Children’s Self-esteem in Multi-cultural Families

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore children’s life and examine the relationship between mothers’ Korean proficiency and children’s self-esteem in multi-cultural families, which are formed through international marriage. For the study, 121 children in multi-cultural families were participated in the study and structured questionnaire was used for data collection. According to the study results, the scores of respondents’ self esteem are higher than medium scores and they are more likely to have positive attitudes toward family relationships. This study verified the correlations between mothers’ Korean proficiency and children’s self-esteem. Also, the variable of family relationship recognized by children identified as a mediation variable to explain the variables of mothers’ Korean proficiency and children’s self-esteem. Social interventions and strategies for multi-cultural families are suggested based on the study results.