Acculturation, Enculturation, Culture-Specific Emotional Distress, and Parenting Among Korean Immigrant Mothers.

This study examined how Korean immigrant mothers' cultural orientations (i.e., acculturation and enculturation) were related to their mental health, specifically depression and the culturally specific syndrome of Hwa-byung (HB), and had direct and indirect relations to their parenting practices (i.e., authoritative, authoritarian, acceptance, rejection). In a sample of 412 Korean immigrant mothers (99.5% foreign-born; Mage = 45.31), a path analysis was conducted by using the maximum-likelihood and bootstrapping methods. Results revealed that mothers' cultural orientations were indirectly related to parenting practices via depression and HB. Specifically, mothers' acculturation and enculturation had positive indirect relationships to authoritative parenting and acceptance versus a negative relationship to rejection, via their links to depression. Mothers' acculturation had a negative relationship to rejection via its link to HB, while enculturation was not related to HB. Additionally, cultural orientations were directly associated with parenting. Overall, the current findings highlighted that HB holds a unique role in parenting after controlling for the effects of depression, which suggests the importance of assessing culture specific syndrome, above and beyond depression, to have a better understanding of Korean immigrant mothers' mental health and its relation to parenting. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Diabetic sensory neuropathy and insulin resistance are induced by loss of UCHL1 in Drosophila.

Diabetic sensory neuropathy (DSN) is one of the most common complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D), however the molecular mechanistic association between T2D and DSN remains elusive. Here we identify ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1), a deubiquitinase highly expressed in neurons, as a key molecule underlying T2D and DSN. Genetic ablation of UCHL1 leads to neuronal insulin resistance and T2D-related symptoms in Drosophila. Furthermore, loss of UCHL1 induces DSN-like phenotypes, including numbness to external noxious stimuli and axonal degeneration of sensory neurons in flies' legs. Conversely, UCHL1 overexpression improves DSN-like defects of T2D model flies. UCHL1 governs insulin signaling by deubiquitinating insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) and antagonizes an E3 ligase of IRS1, Cullin 1 (CUL1). Consistent with these results, genetic and pharmacological suppression of CUL1 activity rescues T2D- and DSN-associated phenotypes. Therefore, our findings suggest a complete set of genetic factors explaining T2D and DSN, together with potential remedies for the diseases.

Intake of Fruit and Glycemic Control in Korean Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGRUOUND: Despite the well-recognized health benefits of fresh fruit consumption, there is still substantial uncertainty about its potential effects on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: We examined the association of fresh fruit consumption and glycemic control in patients with T2DM using data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study sample was divided into three groups based on weekly fruit consumption frequency for the analysis. RESULTS: Patients with the highest fruit intake were older than those in the other two groups, and women were more likely to consume fruits in general. Being a current smoker and weekly alcohol intake also showed negative correlations according to the fruit intake tertiles. Fruit consumption was positively correlated with better hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. Moreover, patients in the highest tertile of fruit intake were 3.48 times more likely to be in good glycemic control defined as HbA1c <7%. CONCLUSION: We observed that fruit consumption can be helpful in glycemic control in Korean patients with T2DM.

Acculturation/enculturation and internalized model minority myth in Korean immigrant families.

Drawing on Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory (1977), this study examined the antecedents and outcomes of internalized model minority myth (MMM) within the microsystem of family and the macrosystem of culture. Among Korean immigrant families, we examined how mothers' internalized MMM (i.e., achievement orientation, unrestricted mobility) and youth's cultural orientations (i.e., acculturation, enculturation) were related to youth's internalized MMM and had direct and indirect relations to youth outcomes (i.e., life satisfaction, depression, antisocial behaviors, and academic performance). In a sample of 334 Korean immigrant mother-youth dyads (155 female youth; 132 foreign-born youth; Mage of youth = 16.37; Mage of mothers = 46.94), we conducted a path analysis by using the maximum likelihood and bootstrapping methods. A path analysis revealed mothers' achievement orientation was indirectly related to youth's academic performance via youth's beliefs in unrestricted mobility. In general, mothers' internalized MMM had harmful relationships to youth's depression and antisocial behaviors versus mixed relationships to academic performance. Importantly, mothers' internalized MMM indicated greater direct and indirect associations with youth outcomes than youth's own internalized MMM. A follow-up analysis of moderated mediation ruled out the possibility that academic performance moderated the relations of youth's internalized MMM and outcomes and thus masked any significant associations. Overall, the current findings highlighted the importance of understanding the internalized MMM within the microsystem of the close-knit Korean immigrant family relations. Implications for research, family intervention, parent education and outreach were discussed.

Migratory grief and mental health in first-generation Korean American immigrants.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine first-generation Korean immigrants' migratory grief in relation to cultural, social, and mental health variables. We examined (a) how behavioral and value acculturation and enculturation as well as mainstream and ethnic connectedness predicted migratory grief and (b) how mainstream and ethnic connectedness moderated the relationships of migratory grief and mental health outcomes (i.e., depression, life satisfaction, positive and negative affect). METHOD: Data were collected from 188 self-identified first-generation Korean immigrant adults (N = 188, Mage = 43.63, SD = 12.18) and were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS: Age and behavioral enculturation positively predicted migratory grief, while European American values and mainstream connectedness negatively predicted migratory grief. Migratory grief and mainstream and ethnic connectedness had significant main effects on mental health, but social connectedness did not moderate the relationships between migratory grief and mental health. CONCLUSION: Acculturation, enculturation, and social connectedness were significant predictors of first-generation Korean immigrants' migratory grief. Additionally, migratory grief and social connectedness significantly predicted mental health. We discussed implications for research and practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Gait Speed and Sleep Duration Is Associated with Increased Risk of MCI in Older Community-Dwelling Adults.

This study aimed to examine the linear and nonlinear associations between sleep duration and gait speed and the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in community-dwelling older adults. Participants were 233 older adults who met the study inclusion criteria. The MCI diagnosis was based on medical evaluations through a clinical interview conducted by a dementia specialist. Self-reported sleep duration was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The usual gait speed was calculated from the time taken to walk along a 4 m walkway. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of developing MCI in relation to sleep duration and gait speed. Generalized additive models were used to examine the dose−response relationships between sleep duration, gait speed, and the risk of developing MCI. Slower gait speed (OR: 1.84, 95%; CI: 1.00−3.13) and poor sleep duration (OR: 1.76, 95%; CI: 1.00−3.35) were associated with the risk of developing MCI, compared with their optimal status. In addition, the combination of poor sleep and slower gait was associated with a higher risk of developing MCI than optimal sleep duration and gait speed (OR: 3.13, 95%; CI: 1.93−5.14). Furthermore, gait speed and sleep duration were non-linearly associated with the risk of developing MCI. These results highlight the complex interplay and synergism between sleep duration and gait abilities on the risk of developing MCI in older adults. In addition, our results suggest that slower gait speed (<1.0 m/s) and short (<330 min) and long (>480 min) sleep duration may be linked to MCI risks through underlying pathways.

Short-term Effects of Eating Behavior Modification on Metabolic Syndrome-Related Risks in Overweight and Obese Korean Adults.

Background: We investigated whether eating behavior modification improves metabolic syndrome (MetS)-related risks in overweight/obese Korean adults, and identified dietary factors that improve metabolic status. Methods: Among 159 volunteers, 71 with a body mass index ≥23 kg/m2 and without other chronic diseases participated in the 8-week intervention, among which 54 participants who completed the intervention were included in the analyses. At baseline, patients were categorized either metabolically healthy obese (MHO; <3 MetS risk factors, n=42) or metabolically unhealthy obese (MUHO; ≥3 MetS risk factors, n=12), and then educated regarding how to choose healthy foods and meals. Results: Lipid profiles and anthropometric and glycemic parameters were significantly improved among all participants after the intervention. Changes in waist circumference (P= 0.025), and glycemic parameters (glucose, P=0.046, insulin, P=0.005, C-peptide, P=0.041) were positively correlated with changes in calorie intake from snacks. Changes in visceral fat area were negatively correlated with changes in total calorie intake (P=0.046), and positively correlated with those in calorie intake from dietary fats (P=0.039). In addition, changes in insulin (P=0.013) and C-peptide (P=0.008) concentrations were negatively correlated with changes in dietary fiber intake at dinner. After the intervention, 83.3% of initially MUHO participants became MHO and 16.7% of MHO participants became MUHO. Conclusion: Eating behavior modification may be an important strategy to improve metabolic factors in overweight/obese people.

Examination of Korean immigrant mothers' parenting practices: By using the framework of bilinear acculturation.

By using the conceptual framework of bilinear acculturation, this study examined Korean immigrant mothers' parenting practices among 389 mother-youth (adolescent children in middle or high school) dyads. We examined (a) how mothers' acculturation and enculturation were related to mainstream (i.e., authoritarian vs. authoritative styles, communication, warmth/bonding, autonomy support) versus culture specific parenting practices (i.e., interdependence, commitment to education, academic control) and (b) how parenting practices were, in turn, linked to youth outcomes of depression, antisocial behaviors, and academic performance as measured 1.5 years later. Mothers and youth had significant perceptual gaps in parenting practices, especially in autonomy support and parental commitment to education. Therefore, path analyses were conducted separately for mother-reported versus youth-reported parenting. As hypothesized, mothers' acculturation was more closely related to mainstream parenting, while enculturation was to culture specific parenting. Mother-reported autonomy support predicted higher academic performance, while youth-reported authoritarian parenting predicted lower academic performance. Youth-reported communication predicted lower depression and antisocial behaviors. The current findings have implications for parenting and family interventions to optimize Korean immigrant youth's wellbeing in the bicultural context. Additionally, bilinear acculturation was found to be a useful conceptual framework in studying immigrant parenting.

CORO7 functions as a scaffold protein for the core kinase complex assembly of the Hippo pathway.

The Hippo pathway controls organ size and tissue homeostasis through the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. However, the exact molecular mechanisms underpinning Hippo pathway regulation are not fully understood. Here, we identify a new component of the Hippo pathway: coronin 7 (CORO7), a coronin protein family member that is involved in organization of the actin cytoskeleton. pod1, the Drosophila ortholog of CORO7, genetically interacts with key Hippo pathway genes in Drosophila. In mammalian cells, CORO7 is required for the activation of the Hippo pathway in response to cell-cell contact, serum deprivation, and cytoskeleton damage. CORO7 forms a complex with the core components of the pathway and functions as a scaffold for the Hippo core kinase complex. Collectively, these results demonstrate that CORO7 is a key scaffold controlling the Hippo pathway via modulating protein-protein interactions.

Neuroprotective Effects of Baicalein, Wogonin, and Oroxylin A on Amyloid Beta-Induced Toxicity via NF-κB/MAPK Pathway Modulation.

Amyloid beta (Aß) peptide, one of the most important pathogenic traits of Alzheimer's disease (AD), invokes a cascade of oxidative damage and eventually leads to neuronal death. In the present study, baicalein, wogonin, and oroxylin A, main active flavones in Scutellaria baicalensis, were evaluated for their neuroprotective effects against Aß25-35-stimulated damage. All tested compounds decreased Aß25-35-induced ROS generation and cell cycle arrest. In particular, baicalein exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity. In addition, these compounds suppressed apoptosis by attenuating mitochondrial dysfunction such as loss of membrane potential, Ca2+ accumulation and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Furthermore, all tested flavones inhibited the expression of iNOS and COX-2, which resulted in suppressing inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, NO, and PGE2. Noticeably, all compounds exhibited the anti-inflammatory effects through downregulating NF-κB/MAPK pathway. Especially, oroxylin A was effective against both p65 and IκBα, while wogonin and baicalein were suppressed phospho-p65 and phospho-IκBα, respectively. Taken together, baicalein, wogonin, and oroxylin A can effectively relieve Aß25-35-stimulated neuronal apoptosis and inflammation in PC12 cells via downregulating NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway.

Anti-Neuroinflammatory Property of Phlorotannins from Ecklonia cava on Aß25-35-Induced Damage in PC12 Cells.

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by excessive accumulation of amyloid-beta peptide (Aß) and progressive loss of neurons. Therefore, the inhibition of Aß-induced neurotoxicity is a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of AD. Ecklonia cava is an edible brown seaweed, which has been recognized as a rich source of bioactive derivatives, mainly phlorotannins. In this study, phlorotannins including eckol, dieckol, 8,8'-bieckol were used as potential neuroprotective candidates for their anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects against Aß25-35-induced damage in PC12 cells. Among the tested compounds, dieckol showed the highest effect in both suppressing intracellular oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of caspase family. Three phlorotannins were found to inhibit TNF-α, IL-1ß and PGE2 production at the protein levels. These result showed that the anti-inflammatory properties of our compounds are related to the down-regulation of proinflammatory enzymes, iNOS and COX-2, through the negative regulation of the NF-κB pathway in Aß25-35-stimulated PC12 cells. Especially, dieckol showed the strong anti-inflammatory effects via suppression of p38, ERK and JNK. However, 8,8'-bieckol markedly decreased the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK and eckol suppressed the activation of p38. Therefore, the results of this study indicated that dieckol from E. cava might be applied as a drug candidate for the development of new generation therapeutic agents against AD.

East Asian adolescents' ethnic identity development and cultural integration: A qualitative investigation.

Drawing on the current conceptualization of acculturation/enculturation as bilinear, multidimensional processes proceeding in interaction with surrounding contexts, this study examined ethnic identity development and cultural integration of 13 adolescents from East Asian immigrant families. Five domains emerged via the Consensual Qualitative Research method: ethnic/cultural identity and socialization; bicultural living; racial context-racism and stereotypes; family context-parental expectation; and peer context-friendship/dating. Overall, the participants experienced a cultural split and discontinuity between the 2 worlds of home and ethnic community versus school and society in general. They received strong ethnic socialization messages from family and ethnic community. Although most participants experienced hurtful racial discrimination, they used passive coping (e.g., dismiss, minimize, defend perpetrators). The model minority stereotype was prevalent and deeply engrained in many aspects of their lives including ethnic identity development, cultural socialization messages from mainstream society, discrimination experiences, and academic/occupational demands imposed by self, parents, peers, and society. Although they appreciated parents' high expectations of academic/occupational success, they felt pressured and desired to have space and independence. Friendship/dating patterns reflected ethnic identity development as well as contextual influence. Implications for research and practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Isothermal target and probe amplification assay for the real-time rapid detection of Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus, the species most commonly associated with staphylococcal food poisoning, is one of the most prevalent causes of foodborne disease in Korea and other parts of the world, with much damage inflicted to the health of individuals and economic losses estimated at $120 million. To reduce food poisoning outbreaks by implementing prevention methods, rapid detection of S. aureus in foods is essential. Various types of detection methods for S. aureus are available. Although each method has advantages and disadvantages, high levels of sensitivity and specificity are key aspects of a robust detection method. Here, we describe a novel real-time isothermal target and probe amplification (iTPA) method that allows the rapid and simultaneous amplification of target DNA (the S. aureus nuc gene) and a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based signal probe under isothermal conditions at 61 °C or detection of S. aureus in real time. The assay was able to specifically detect all 91 S. aureus strains tested without nonspecific detection of 51 non-S. aureus strains. The real-time iTPA assay detected S. aureus at an initial level of 10(1) CFU in overnight cultures of preenriched food samples (kiwi dressing, soybean milk, and custard cream). The advantage of this detection system is that it does not require a thermal cycler, reducing the cost of the real-time PCR and its footprint. Combined with a miniaturized fluorescence detector, this system can be developed into a simplified quantitative hand-held real-time device, which is often required. The iTPA assay was highly reliable and therefore may be used as a rapid and sensitive means of identifying S. aureus in foods.

Development and validation of the Patriarchal Beliefs Scale.

The purpose of this research was to develop and validate a conceptually and psychometrically solid measure for patriarchal beliefs in samples of U.S. American adults from diverse demographic and geographic backgrounds. In Study 1, we identified 3 correlated factors of the Patriarchal Beliefs Scale (PBS) in data collected from the Internet (N = 279): Institutional Power of Men, Inferiority of Women, and Gendered Domestic Roles. In Study 2, data collected from the Internet (N = 284) supported both an oblique 3-factor structure and a bifactor structure of the PBS, through confirmatory factor analyses. Construct validity of the PBS was supported in relation to other gender-related measures. The PBS was correlated in expected directions with modern sexism, antifeminist attitudes, and egalitarian attitudes toward women. In Study 3, we examined measurement invariance across gender by using combined data from Study 1 and Study 2. All 3 factors of the oblique 3-factor model indicated measurement invariance, whereas the general factor represented in the bifactor model indicated nonequivalence. Mean differences in patriarchal beliefs were found for such demographic variables as gender, sexual orientation, education, and social class. Recommendations for using the PBS, as well as implications for research and practice, are discussed.

A meta-analysis of acculturation/enculturation and mental health.

This meta-analytic study examined the relationship among the constructs of acculturation, enculturation, and acculturation strategies (i.e., integration, assimilation, separation, marginalization), and mental health. Data from 325 studies (163 journal articles and 162 dissertation studies) were analyzed using a random-effects model, across a broad spectrum of negative mental health (NM: depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and negative affect) and positive mental health (PM: self-esteem, satisfaction with life, and positive affect). Overall, acculturation was favorably associated with both NM (negatively) and PM (positively), whereas enculturation was favorably related only to PM (positively). In fact, enculturation was positively related to anxiety. The specifics of these relations were further examined using the following moderators: (a) researchers' operationalization of acculturation/enculturation (i.e., linearity, dimensionality); (b) contextual influences (i.e., when and where the study was conducted); and (c) sample characteristics (i.e., voluntariness of residency, race, gender, age). Overall, bilinear measures of acculturation indicated a positive association with PM, while unilinear measures did not. External acculturation (e.g., language, behaviors) and internal enculturation (e.g., identity) were most favorably related to mental health. The place of study had differential effects on the relation of enculturation and NM. Acculturation appeared to be especially important to Asian Americans, whereas enculturation was to African Americans. Differential effects of age suggested the need to consider life-span development of needs and social roles in relation to acculturation and enculturation. Both correlational analyses and mean comparisons affirmed that integration was the most favorable acculturation strategy to mental health. Implications for research, practice, and theory are discussed.

Validation of Social Connectedness in Mainstream Society and the Ethnic Community Scales.

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Social Connectedness in Mainstream Society (SCMN) and the Social Connectedness in the Ethnic Community (SCETH) Scales in two groups of ethnic minorities. We especially examined their theoretical/conceptual and empirical viability in relation to other established constructs of general social connectedness, acculturation, and enculturation. Analyses of two sets of survey data from 200 Mexican American students in California and 134 Asian international students in Minnesota supported (a) construct validity of the SCMN and the SCETH as related but distinct structures, (b) convergent and discriminant validity in relation to acculturation and enculturation, and (c) high reliability. The examination of incremental validity in predicting subjective well-being further supported their distinctive utility in addition to other established constructs of general social connectedness, acculturation, enculturation, ethnic identity, and other group orientation. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Social connectedness, discrimination, and social status as mediators of acculturation/enculturation and well-being.

The present study proposed and tested a conceptual model of acculturation/enculturation and subjective well-being (SWB) by including social connectedness in mainstream society, social connectedness in the ethnic community, perceived discrimination, and expected social status as mediators. Survey data from 273 Asian American college students in the midwest were analyzed by using structural equation modeling. Results indicated that the effect of acculturation on SWB was mediated by social connectedness in mainstream and ethnic communities and expected social status, whereas the effect of enculturation on SWB was mediated by social connectedness in the ethnic community and expected social status. Contrary to the authors' hypothesis, perceived discrimination did not mediate the relation of acculturation and SWB, but indirectly influenced SWB via a lowered sense of connectedness to mainstream society. Approximately 46% of the variance in SWB was accounted for by the variables included in this model. Implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed.

Measuring ethnic identity in the Ethnic Identity Scale and the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised.

This study examined the newly developed ethnic identity measures of the Ethnic Identity Scale (EIS) and the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised (MEIM-R) from psychometric and theoretical perspectives. Survey data from 289 counseling students in California were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analyses supported three correlated factors of the EIS (exploration, resolution, and affirmation) and two correlated factors of the MEIM-R (exploration, commitment) for both European American and minority students. Consistent with the theories of Erikson's and Marcia's identity development, the EIS and the MEIM-R nicely depicted (a) Marcia's 4 (2 × 2) identity statuses of diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, and achievement and (b) the hierarchy of identity statuses in relation to subjective well-being as an indicator of adjustment, especially for minority students. Additionally, European American and minority students revealed differences as to the salience and importance of ethnic identity. Recommendations for using the EIS and the MEIM-R are provided.

Content analysis of acculturation research in counseling and counseling psychology: a 22-year review.

The authors conducted a 22-year (1988­2009) content analysis of quantitative empirical research that included acculturation and/or enculturation as a study variable(s). A total of 138 studies in 134 articles were systematically evaluated from 5 major American Psychological Association and American Counseling Association journals in counseling and counseling psychology, including Journal of Counseling Psychology, The Counseling Psychologist, Journal of Counseling and Development, Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, and Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. To guide the analysis, the authors conceptualized acculturation/enculturation as a "bilinear" (i.e., developing cultural orientations to both majority and ethnic cultures) and "multidimensional" (i.e., across multiple areas such as behaviors, values, identity, and knowledge) cultural socialization process that occurs in interaction with "social contexts" (e.g., home, school, work, West Coast, Midwest). Findings include the patterns and trends of acculturation/enculturation research in (a) conceptualization and use of acculturation/enculturation variable(s), (b) research designs (e.g., sample characteristics, instruments, data collection, and analysis methods), (c) content areas, and (d) changes in total publications and trends over time. Additionally, meta-analyses were conducted on the relationship of acculturation/enculturation and a few key variables of mental health, adjustment, and well-being. Major findings and directions for future research are discussed.

Acculturation, social connectedness, and subjective well-being.

This study examined social connectedness in mainstream society as a mediator between acculturation and subjective well-being (SWB), and social connectedness in the ethnic community as a mediator between enculturation and SWB. Survey data from 188 Korean immigrants in the Midwest were subject to path analyses. Results partially supported the study hypotheses. Social connectedness in mainstream society tended to partially mediate the relationship between acculturation and SWB although the standardized mediating effect did not reach statistical significance. Social connectedness in the ethnic community fully mediated the relationship between enculturation and SWB. About 49% of the variance in SWB was explained by acculturation, social connectedness in the ethnic community, and social connectedness in mainstream society, in a descending order of their unique contribution. Implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed.