The African asylum seekers population in Korea has been increasing. With the increment, however, studies have primarily excluded acculturation concerns of African asylum seekers in South Korea. The problem with this neglect is that it fails to expose the difficulties African asylum seekers face in Korea in terms of mental and behavioral health risks.
Acculturation is a psychological process that brings tension when a population of distinct cultures comes into contact. The acculturation experience causes stress and worries due to difficulty in language, financial problems, interacting with foreign friends, and balancing work and family responsibilities(Magro, 2009). The stress that emanates from the acculturation difficulties puts asylum seekers at a higher risk of mental problems, which might increase their risk of alcohol use disorder. The main aim of the research was to see the extent to which depression and generalized anxiety influenced the alcohol use disorder of asylum seekers affected by acculturation stress. Moreover, to examine if emotional intelligence might improve their alcohol use disorder.
The study consisted of 302 African asylum seekers, and the mean age was 32.9 years. The cross-sectional survey used the International Student Acculturation Scale (ASSIS), Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT); Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9); Generalized anxiety disorder scale (Gad-7), and Schutte Emotional intelligence scale to measure latent variables. The latent variable included Acculturation Stress, Alcohol Use Disorder, Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Emotional Intelligence.
The result revealed a gender difference in acculturation stress and generalized anxiety disorder. More females than males showed a higher contrast in acculturation stress (Females; M=3.485, Males; M=3.295) and generalized anxiety disorder (Females; M=2.471, Males; M=2.099). Acculturation stress had a direct effect on depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Acculturation stress was positively correlated to alcohol use disorder (r=0.143 p<0.05), emotional intelligence (r=0.230 p<0.01), depression (r=0.196 p<0.01), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. (r=0.255 p<0.01). There was also a negative correlation of emotional intelligence between alcohol use disorder (r=0.211 p<0.01), depression (r=0.039 p<0.01), and generalized anxiety disorder (r=0.720 p<0.001).
The result from the model showed a good fit since R=0.196, R²=0.038, F=7,294, p<0.01. The model findings showed that Acculturation stress positively affected depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder had an indirect effect on alcohol use disorder. Emotional Intelligence presented a negative effect on alcohol use disorder. In addition, Emotional Intelligence significantly negatively had an effect on acculturation stress to alcohol use disorder.
The findings of this study will serve as a foundation for allocating the resource needed by social workers and health professionals. In addition, according to the results of this study, emotional intelligence should serve as the intervention tool that will improve the adverse health outcome of African asylum seekers.