Psychological experiences of Korean missionary “kids” (MKs): a qualitative inquiry

ABSTRACT

The present study is a qualitative investigation of the psychological experiences of children of Korean missionaries, through the eyes of Korean missionary kids (MKs) and missionary workers. A semi-structured interview was conducted with 11 MKs and MK workers, and data were analysed using the Consensual Qualitative Research method. Several domains emerged: challenges associated with the MK experience, resiliency of MKs, intrapersonal and interpersonal coping skills, mental health concerns, religion and spirituality, a complex cultural identity, preparation for college transition, and hopes for MKs and their missionary parents. Categories corresponding to the domains are highlighted. The present study addresses a need for more attention paid to the non-American MK experience, and it presents some implications for the church and higher educational institutions.

KEYWORDS:

• Missionary kids
• Korean missionaries

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Although the participants in our study were not minors, because the term MK is often used in the literature and also by those in missionary communities to refer to the offspring of cross-cultural missionary parents, we will refer to these individuals as MKs in the present article.

2. TCKs are those who have lived “at least part of their childhood in countries and cultures other than their own” (Pollock & Van Reken, 2009, p. 3). Therefore, all MKs are TCKs, but not all TCKs are MKs – for instance, children of overseas military personnel can also be described as TCKs.

3. This includes participants who identified as MKs but now working as MK workers.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a Faculty Research Grant through the Center for Scholarship and Faculty Development at Seattle Pacific University (awarded to the first and second authors).