Saving Chi: Exploring Key Factors Affecting Korean Immigrants' Parental School Involvement

• In Event: 16.060 - Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: 16.060-19 - Exploring Issues of Parental Involvement for Immigrant Children in the United States

Abstract

The goals of this study were to (a) explore Korean immigrant parents’ perceptions on school involvement and school support and (b) investigate key factors that affect Korean immigrant parents’ school involvement. A qualitative research design based on grounded theory was employed. The final grounded theory of “Key Factors Affecting Korean Immigrants’ Parental School Involvement” was developed from the interview data with eight Korean immigrant parents. The most important core theme was “기 살리기 (Gi Saligi, saving the child’s chi - mostly mental energy).” The four other secondary themes were identified; (a) personal factors; (b) interpersonal factors; (c) situational factors; and (d) environmental factors. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed along with limitations and conclusions.

Authors

• Young-Hoon Ham, University of Minnesota

• Mark D. Vagle, University of Minnesota