抄録
Various aspects of social support appear to interact with mental health of postwar Japanese immigrant women in Canada. This study examined 1) the socio-demographic characteristics, 2) the characteristics of social networks, 3) the level of perceived social support, the level of acculturative stress, and the level of depression, and 4) the buffering effect of social support on acculturative stress among Japanese immigrant women. One hundred and twenty-one Japanese immigrant women, who immigrated to Canada after World War II, and living in Southern Ontario, were taken as the study sample. Two variables, levels of English proficiency, and current feelings about the decision to immigrate, appeared to determine the characteristics of social support, social networks, and participation to the mainstream of Canadian society. English proficiency appeared as recurring theme affecting the process of acculturation and levels of partnership with husband, other family members, and individuals of the broader social network. It was also a critical key to achieving upward mobility in occupations, expanding social networks, and obtaining greater life satisfaction in Canada. Research results suggest needs for bilingual counseling and referral services to deal with women's physical and mental health problems, and their family affairs related to acculturation. For future human services, availability of counseling and referral services both in Japanese and English need to be circulated among Japanese speaking community.
