The mental health of Korean transnational mothers: a scoping review

Abstract

Background: A recent migration trend from Korea is transnational family arrangement where mothers migrate with children to English-speaking countries, while the fathers stay in the home country. Mothers in these families may experience more challenges than other family members because they have to adjust to a new country, new parenting role and family separation. But little is known about their mental health.

Aims: This article scopes the evidences in the literature on impact of transnational family arrangement and migration on the mental health of Korean transnational mothers.

Method: A comprehensive search was undertaken in 16 databases and 17 studies were identified.

Results: The evidence on the mental health of Korean transnational mothers was analyzed into two themes: (1) challenges and life difficulties, (2) psychological and emotional states. In relation to the life difficulties such as role changes, adaptation in the host country and lack of social support, the mothers reported anxiety, depression, increased psychological distress and feeling of isolation. Positive perceptions such as sense of empowerment and increased self-confidence were also reported.

Conclusion: The evidence suggests that there may be a potential for vulnerability to mental health problems in Korean transnational mothers. More research is needed to assess their mental health and to identify the risk factors.

Keywords: Korean; Mental health; migration; mother; transnational family.