University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Exploring adjustment to retirement: Leisure in the lives of first-generation Korean immigrant men in the United States

Chung, Wonock

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/115889

Description

Title
Exploring adjustment to retirement: Leisure in the lives of first-generation Korean immigrant men in the United States
Author(s)
Chung, Wonock
Issue Date
2022-07-07
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Payne, Laura L
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Payne, Laura L
Committee Member(s)
  • Stodolska, Monika
  • Liechty, Toni
  • Welty Peachey, Jon
  • Schwingel, Andiara
Department of Study
Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Discipline
Recreation, Sport, and Tourism
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Older adults
  • Korean immigrants
  • baby boomers
  • retirement
  • leisure
  • Continuity Theory
  • Leisure Innovation Theory
  • successful aging
Abstract
This study explores the role of leisure during the retirement transition and the nature of this experience among first-generation Korean immigrant men. Situating the study within social constructivism as an overarching paradigm, hermeneutic phenomenology was utilized as guiding approach to explore and understand the leisure experiences of older Korean immigrant men in their retirement transition while considering their immigration experience, cultural background, and social context in which they live. A total of 19 older Korean immigrant men from across the U.S., including Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York participated in a semi-structured interview. The questions in the interviews were informed by the theoretical frameworks guiding this study (i.e., Continuity Theory and Leisure Innovation Theory) and literature on Korean immigrants, retirement, leisure, and older men. Participants shared the breadth of their lived experiences that resulted in thick descriptions of their life as immigrant men, their values, retirement experiences, and how their involvement in leisure activities evolved over time. Findings highlight the complex interactions between cultural values, immigrant experiences, and leisure behavior which yielded important theoretical and practical implications for promoting retirement lifestyles that may help older immigrant adults stay active and healthy, and hence, experience successful aging.
Graduation Semester
2022-08
Type of Resource
Thesis
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2022 Wonock Chung

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