Longitudinal trajectories of health status and their correlates among married immigrant women in South Korea: Using a latent class growth analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to examine different types of health status trajectories among married immigrant women in South Korea. This study also identified individual and environmental factors contributing to the development of each type. The sample was 1237 mothers who participated in the Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study. Using latent class growth modeling, results identified three class trajectories with their unique timing and course of health status: high-stable, high-decrease, and low-stable. Also, the multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that each class membership was conditional to different individual and environmental factors, including age, self-esteem, household economic status, social network, and residential area. These findings suggest the importance of specific and targeted programs and policies promoting married immigrant women's health.