The effects of spiritual experience and church commitment on mental health and work performance among a sample of South Korean immigrants in the United States: a mixed methods study

This sequential mixed methods study measured the effects of spiritual experience and church commitment on mental health and work performance among a sample of South Korean immigrants in the United States. It included the screening survey for assessing level of religious belief and involvement in church activities (quantitative) followed by in-depth qualitative interviews about the relationship between church attachment and mental health as well as work/school performance (qualitative), in order to obtain preliminary findings and generate insights regarding future research. High-active believers who engage in church activities were assigned as Group 1, and inactive/low-active members who still have high-level belief were assigned as Group 2. Both Group 1 and Group 2 contained strong believers, and the screening survey proved that the level of belief were not much different between two groups. There was no guarantee that time dedication for church would improve Group 1\u27s work/school performance because they were suffering from a time conflict between work and church activities and could not focus their energy on one thing. However, there was no doubt that their strong belief was a prime motivation to work or study harder as well as the main factor of developing their mental health and common well-being -- though in fact many reported a negative association between intense church involvement and at least some aspects of mental health. This study can serve as a guide to further research on specific factors potentially associated with mental health and social adjustment for Koreans, as well as other immigrants. Specifically, insights from this study shed light on potential elements of religious belief and practice that are related to mental health and work/school outcomes, and on the range of reasons that individuals participate in church. There may be some linkages between the demographics of Group 1 and Group 2 participants that influence level of participation in church activities, but there are not enough data from this study to support any conclusions on that issue

The effects of spiritual experience and church commitment among South Korean young adult immigrants in the United States: a mixed-methods study

Background Korean American immigrants have become one of the largest Asian American ethnic group in the United States, and Christianity have been preserving their ethnic identities. However, little is known if church commitment is associated with developing emotional well-being and work capacity. The study aims to understand the attachment to church and its effect on level of emotional well-being and work (or school) performance among South Korean young adult immigrants who have a strong faith in Christianity. Methods A sequential, mixed-methods study examined two dimensions of church attachment, level of religious belief and involvement in church activities. A total of 23 participants was initially recruited through purposive and snowball sampling, and then 22 of them were divided into two high-belief groups—high-active church members and low-active church members – for further analysis. A screening questionnaire, a quantitative component, was used to exclude a low-level believer. Consecutively, an in-depth interview, a qualitative component, was conducted to further investigate the emotional well-being and work (or school) performance. Results Although a small sample was collected, it generated initial insights into the effects of time commitment for church among immigrants. Regardless of leadership roles and level of activity at church, strong beliefs appeared to improve emotional well-being and support motivation to improve the performance of major activity of daily living. Conclusions The major significance was to support further research on religious belief and practice and its potential association with emotional well-being and social adjustment for Koreans, as well as other immigrants. The study applied a culturally specific lens to focus on a particular minority immigrant population

Assessing the Impact of Family Status, Family Cohesion, and Acculturation on Youth Violence Among Immigrant Latinos

Background/Objectives: Latino youth violence is an emerging public health concern. The objective is to assess the impact of family status, family cohesion, and acculturation on youth violence among Latino immigrants in Langley Park, MD compared with a control community in Culmore, VA. Methods: Constructs were generated from survey questions to represent family support and cohesion, acculturation, and youth violence. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were modeled to evaluate the relationships between family support and cohesion, acculturation, and violence, after adjusting for confounders. Results: After controlling for covariates, family support consistently reduced victimization (PE = ‐0.02, SE = 0.01, t = ‐2.64, p‐value = 0.0085); increased non‐violence attitudes and beliefs (PE = 0.32, SE = 0.05, t = 6.17, p‐value = Conclusions: Family support is associated with reduced violence engagement and risk behaviors among Latino youth. Results will inform the development and implementation of future youth violence prevention programs among ethnic minorities and immigrants

Future directions of Doctor of Public Health education in the United States: a qualitative study

Background: The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree is an advanced and terminal professional degree that prepares the future workforce to engage in public health research, teaching, practice, and leadership. The purpose of the present research was to discuss the desirable future direction and optimal education strategies for the DrPH degree in the United States. Methods: A total of 28 Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-accredited DrPH programs in the United States was identified through the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) Academic Program Finder. Then, a qualitative analysis was conducted to obtain perspectives from a total of 20 DrPH program directors through in-depth interviews. Results: A DrPH program should be recognized as equal but different from an MPH or a PhD program and strengthen the curriculum of methodology and leadership education. It is important that a DrPH program establishes specific partnerships with other entities and provide funding for students. In addition, rather than being standardized nationwide, there is value in each DrPH program maintaining its unique character and enabling students to be open to all career pathways. Conclusions: The future of DrPH programs in the twenty-first century should aim at effective interdisciplinary public health approaches that draw from the best of both academic and applied sectors. A DrPH program is expected to provide academic, applied public health, and leadership training for students to pursue careers in either academia or the public/private sector, because public health is an applied social science that bridges the gap between research and practice

Analysis of CEPH-accredited DrPH programs in the United States: A mixed-methods study

Interest has been growing in regard to increasing the public health workforce and standardizing training to ensure there are competent professionals to support rebuilding and reinforcing the public health infrastructure of the United States. The need for public health leaders was recognized as early as the hookworm control campaign during 1909–1914 when it became apparent that prevention of disease should be distinct from clinical medicine and should be conducted by professionally trained, dedicated full-time public health practitioners. In recent years, research on the public health workforce and on standardizing health workforce education has significantly expanded. A key element of such a workforce is public health leadership, and DrPH programs are the means to provide effective public health education for these future health professionals. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the general trend of DrPH programs from past to present and analyze the common themes and variations of 28 Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-accredited DrPH programs in the United States. This research utilized a mixed-methods approach, investigating DrPH education at each school or program to improve our understanding of the current status of DrPH programs

How Can Universities Best Encourage Women to Major in Information Systems?

Despite both government and industry initiatives, the under-representation of women in information systems (IS) continues. Can academia help right this imbalance by helping fill the pipeline for technically qualified female employees? We analyze the results of four experimental interventions based on empirical studies and prior surveys designed to address this issue. We conducted these interventions as projects in an introductory undergraduate IS class in a public university in the western US. Sadly, none were effective in encouraging more female students to consider majoring in IS

Development of a Communication Strategy to Reduce Violence against Children in South Africa: A Social-Ecological Approach

Research on violence against children, though extensive, has not been effectively deployed for the development and tailoring of communication efforts aimed at specific national, local and cultural contexts within which such violence occurs. This article presents a staged, multi-sectoral communication strategy to reduce the incidence of violence against children in South Africa. Drawing on formative data collected through a literature review, key informant interviews, focus groups, and a stakeholder review meeting, the research team, in collaboration with UNICEF South Africa, formulated a communication strategy aimed at combatting violence against children. The data analysis and strategy development within a socialecological framework sought to identify factors at multiple levels that contribute to violence against children in the South African context. The communication strategy is designed to achieve positive social and behaviour change outcomes in South Africa with respect to the treatment of children, and also to provide an approach as well as specific elements that are potentially replicable to some extent in other countries.CA201