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

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Recreation, Sport, and Tourism

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Chung, Wonock

Contributors dc:contributor

• Payne, Laura L
• Stodolska, Monika
• Liechty, Toni
• Welty Peachey, Jon
• Schwingel, Andiara

• Older adults
• Korean immigrants
• baby boomers
• retirement
• leisure
• Continuity Theory
• Leisure Innovation Theory
• successful aging

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2022 Wonock Chung

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

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

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F115889