Abstract:
Little is known about older Korean migrants and their living arrangements in the New Zealand context. The purpose of this thesis was to develop an understanding of the issues related to living arrangements of older Korean migrants in New Zealand. This qualitative study examined the experiences, perceptions, and expectations of living arrangements of older Korean migrants in relation to their wellbeing and resettlement in New Zealand. This study was based on in-depth interviews with 15 older Korean migrants aged 65 or over living in Auckland, New Zealand between July 2012 and January 2013. Using a thematic analysis method, three major strands, under the overarching theme, ‘living arrangements in a foreign place’, were identified: ‘being on the fence’, ‘being confused’ and ‘harmoniously connected’. The findings from the study show that some participants were juggling to decide which side of the ‘fence’ they were on due to the complexity of issues related to living arrangements. They felt confusion and anxiety about their living arrangements within two different cultures. They looked forward to attaining a safe and secure living arrangement that harmoniously connected with family, community and society. This study reveals that the majority of the participants lived independently in New Zealand: living alone or couple-only households. One of the traditional values, that of co-residence has been weakened or changed in the migrant context. This study highlights the issue of isolation in living arrangements of this population. Living arrangements in a foreign place can be closely related to social isolation in the migrant context. This study also highlights that emerging multi-dimensional cultural issues including intergenerational relations, financial security, family networks, language and cultural barriers and choice of living arrangements can exacerbate isolated living arrangements for older Korean migrants. This study, therefore, arguably suggests that policy makers and social workers require an understanding the issue of isolation in living arrangements of older Korean migrants participated in this study. This study also suggests the need for affordable and migrant-friendly accommodation, allowing for security and a sense of belonging in the community to meet their needs and enhance their levels of wellbeing and resettlement experience.