Korean Housewives Living through Depression : A Grounded Theory Study

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to generate theoretical constructs on depression from the study data by examiningand interpreting Korean housewives’ experience with depression to elicit its meaning, understand it better,and develop empirical knowledge on it. Methods: The data were collected in a community public mental healthcenter between April 1, 2012 and September 30, 2012 using in-depth interviews and theoretical sampling. Theparticipants were 12 women aged 40-64 years who scored 7 or higher in the Korean version of the 21-item HamiltonRating Scale for Depression (Kim, 1980). Collected data were analyzed by grounded theory methodology usingopen, axial, selective coding process. Results: It was found that the basic socio-psychological process of Koreanhousewives' living through depression could be summarized into the following four phases: (1) the vanishing ofthe self into thin air, (2) becoming an empty shell, and (3) searching for the meaning of life, (4) fulfilling of an emptyshell. Conclusion: This study may enhance the culturally elusive understanding of Korean housewives' experiencewith depression. As they are living through a hollow empty shell which looks normal on the outside, so can’t getsupport from their families. It's important to educate their families about depressive phases.