The impact of acculturation gap on psychological distress among youth of Korean descent in Japan

Individuals of Korean descent are a minority group in Japanese society. Various social and environmental factors mean they are susceptible to accumulating psychological distress, with issues related to the acculturation gap suggested as an underlying factor. This study explored two research problems: (a) how the recognition of an acculturation gap affected psychological distress among youth of Korean descent, and (b) what variables influenced the acculturation gap and psychological distress. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 participants, and data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. The analysis generated one core category, "sense of resignation toward parents," and five related categories: "acculturation gap," "discussion with parents," "seeking support from professionals or peers with non-Japanese backgrounds," "psychological distress," and "psychological stability." The findings suggest that the recognition of an acculturation gap may affect psychological distress through related factors such as resignation toward parents.