Adaptation of North Korean Women Refugees to South Korea: Concept Analysis

Abstract

Background:

North Korean refugee women face significant psychological, economic, social, and cultural challenges when adapting to South Korean society. Understanding these challenges is essential for developing effective nursing interventions and health policies to support their successful adaptation.

Aims:

This study aimed to identify the key challenges faced by North Korean refugee women during their adaptation to South Korean society and provide insights for nursing interventions and health policies to facilitate successful resettlement.

Methods:

Using Walker and Avant’s concept analysis framework, a systematic literature search on North Korean refugee women’s adaptation to South Korean society was conducted to identify key attributes, antecedents, and consequences of adaptation.

Results:

Four key attributes of adaptation to South Korean society were identified: psychological stability, economic independence, social relationship formation, and cultural acceptance. Psychological challenges, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, significantly hinder adaptation. Economic independence and supportive social networks are essential for successful resettlement.

Conclusions:

This study provides a comprehensive understanding of adaptation among North Korean refugee women and identifies defining attributes to inform psychiatric nursing practice and future research. However, the findings may be limited by the scarcity of recent literature and the specificity of the South Korean context.