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Background: In 2020, the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) triggered the latest wave of anti-Asian discrimination. During the first year of the pandemic, symptoms of depression and anxiety increased seven-fold within Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) communities. Among this population, APIDA college students were at particularly high risk for mental health challenges due to COVID-19-related racial discrimination. This study examined the association between COVID-19-related racial discrimination and the mental health of APIDA college students, conceptualizing ethnic identity as a moderator in the association. Methods: Secondary analysis was conducted on data from 2,559 APIDA college students aged 18 to 29 who participated in the Fall and Winter/Spring Cohorts of the 2020–2021 Healthy Minds Study (HMS), a non-probability web-based survey administered to students in higher education in the United States. Descriptive statistics, comparative analysis (e.g., Chi-square and t-test), and multivariable linear regression were conducted using STATA 17.1 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX). Survey weights were applied in all analyses. Results: There were significant positive associations between COVID-19-related racial discrimination and symptoms of depression (b = 2.15, p < 0.001) and anxiety (b = 1.81, p < 0.001) among the overall sample. Furthermore, a greater sense of ethnic identity was associated with lower symptoms of depression (b = -0.15, p< 0.001) among the overall sample. Finally, ethnic identity buffered the association between COVID-19-related racial discrimination and symptoms of anxiety among East Asian students and symptoms of both depression and anxiety among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students. In contrast, ethnic identity intensified the association between COVID-19-related racial discrimination and symptoms of depression among Filipino students. Conclusions: The research found that COVID-19-related racial discrimination was associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety among the full sample of APIDA college students during the first year of the pandemic. Additionally, higher levels of ethnic identity were associated with decreased depression among the entire group. The striking results on the moderating role of ethnic identity among subgroups call for further research on the ethnic identity development of APIDA college students, to help mitigate the effects of racial discrimination within a variety of systemic, complex, and dynamic sociocultural contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesDesignResultsConclusionWe examined the association of urinary incontinence (UI) with physical, mental, and social health among older Korean Americans living in subsidized senior housing.Data were obtained from surveys conducted in 2023 with older Korean Americans residing in subsidized senior housing in the Los Angeles area (n = 313). UI was measured using a question about the frequency of involuntary urine loss. Physical, mental, and social health risks were assessed with a single item for self-rated health (fair/poor rating), the Patient Health Questionnaire−9 (probable depression), and the Lubben Social Network Scale−6 (isolation from family and friends).Over half of the sample reported UI, with 46.3% experiencing it infrequently (i.e. seldom) and 10.3% frequently (i.e. sometimes or often). UI was significantly associated with physical and mental health indicators; the odds of reporting fair or poor health and having probable depression were 1.94–7.32 times higher among those with either infrequent or frequent UI compared to those without UI. While family isolation was not associated with UI, the odds of being isolated from friends were 2.85 times greater among those with frequent UI compared to those without UI.Our findings confirm the adverse impact of UI on physical and mental health and highlight its unique role in social health. UI-associated social isolation was significant only in relationships with friends, providing new insights into the distinction between isolation from family and friends. These findings enhance our understanding of the health risks associated with UI and inform strategies for health management and promotion within the senior housing context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Language accommodation is indispensable in making evidence-based interventions available and accessible to ethnic minorities with limited English proficiency. As part of the larger effort to culturally adapt the Savvy Caregiver Program for Korean American dementia caregivers, we first conducted linguistic adaptation, and the present study reports the preliminary findings on participants' changes in depressive Symptoms. Methods: The linguistically adapted program was delivered to two small groups of Korean American dementia caregivers (total n = 13) by two Savvy-certified Korean-speaking trainers. Participants' depressive symptoms were assessed at three time points (pre-intervention, immediate post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up). Results: Following the intervention, participants exhibited lowered depressive symptoms (t = 8.64, p <.001, Cohen's d =.89). This benefit was sustained at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the therapeutic benefit of the Savvy Caregiver Program could potentially be shared with linguistic minorities when delivered in their native language. Clinical Implications: Although limited in its scope and nature, the pilot study with linguistic adaptation sheds light on efforts to close the gap in the evidence-based intervention delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectivesMethodResultsConclusionThe study examined the mediating role of fall-related self-efficacy in the association between falls and mental health among older Korean Americans living in subsidized senior housing in the greater Los Angeles area. We focused on serious fall incidents (i.e. multiple falls or any fall with a fracture) and used symptoms of depression and anxiety as indicators of mental health.Survey data from 315 participants (M age = 79.4 years) were used to examine the direct effects of serious fall incidents on mental health symptoms, as well as indirect effects through fall-related self-efficacy.The mediating effect of fall-related self-efficacy was found to be significant in both models for depressive symptoms (B [SE] = 0.15 [0.07], bias-corrected 95% CI = [0.03, 0.31]) and anxiety symptoms (B [SE] = 0.11 [0.05], bias-corrected 95% CI = [0.02, 0.23]).The mental health impact of serious fall incidents was shaped by older individuals’ perceived concerns about falls and confidence in performance. The findings highlight the importance of addressing fall-related psychological responses in preventing falls and promoting mental health among senior housing residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responding to the underutilization of mental health services in Asian American communities, we examined factors associated with their willingness to use mental health counseling. Applying Andersen's Behavioral Health Service Model, we focused on the role of mental health needs and prior use of mental health counseling in shaping the attitudes toward mental health counseling of diverse groups of Asian Americans. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from 2,609 Asian Americans aged 18 or older who participated in the Asian American Quality of Life (AAQoL) survey conducted in central Texas. Logistic regression models of willingness to use mental health counseling were tested with predisposing (age, gender, marital status, education, nativity, and English-speaking ability), mental health needs (mental distress and self-rated mental health) and enabling (prior use of mental health counseling) variables. About 67% of the overall sample indicated their willingness to use mental health counseling. Individuals who met the criteria for mental distress showed 17% lower odds of willingness to use mental health counseling. The enabling role of prior use of mental health counseling was supported; those who had used counseling were over three times more likely to be willing to use counseling in the future than their counterparts without such an experience. Given the inverse association between mental health needs and the willingness to use mental health counseling, further attention should be paid to improving Asian Americans' recognition of mental health symptoms and awareness of the benefit of mental health services. The enabling role of prior use of counseling also highlights the importance of increasing the exposure to mental health services for Asian Americans. In efforts to promote mental health literacy, reduce cultural stigma, and advocate for mental health service use, consideration of cultural and linguistic diversity within the Asian American population is imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the significant role of culture and place in dementia caregiving, we conducted a qualitative study with Korean American family caregivers of persons with dementia. Guided by the sociocultural model of dementia caregivers' service use, we explored the categories of care decisions, caregiving situations, and formal service use within the context of culture and place. Data from in-depth interviews with 16 Korean American dementia caregivers living in the greater Los Angeles area were analyzed using the constant comparison method. Across the three conceptual categories, we derived eight themes: (1) personal motivation; (2) family context; (3) attitude toward formal care; (4) strains; (5) rewards; (6) language and geographic region; (7) knowledge and awareness; and (8) social support and cultural stigma. Our findings demonstrate not only varied experiences in care decisions, caregiving situations, and formal service use but also their interconnectedness. Supporting the influential role of culture and place in dementia caregiving, the findings include positive and negative elements within each domain and provide implications for programs and services to respond to identified needs and barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research, guided by the intersectionality theory and the Institute of Medicine's healthcare access model, explored the determinants of preventive care utilization within the Asian American community. Analyzing data from the Asian American Quality of Life Survey (with a sample size of 2535), logistic regression models were employed, incorporating various factors: demographic variables, immigration-related variables, health and access, and patient–provider relationship. Results revealed that longer stays in the U.S., having health insurance coverage, having a usual source of care, and higher satisfaction levels with prior healthcare services were associated with increased odds of utilizing preventive healthcare. These findings contribute to our comprehension of preventive care utilization among Asian Americans and offer practical insights for targeted interventions in social work and public health and strategic healthcare planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Adopting preventive behaviors is crucial to avoiding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, and perceived anxiousness may influence such behaviors among older adults and their caregivers. This study investigated the relationships between perceived anxiousness about COVID-19 and preventive behaviors in older adult–caregiver dyads. Research Design and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using 1,565 older adult–caregiver dyads from the 2020 National Health and Aging Trend Study (NHATS)/National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) COVID-19 Supplements data. Actor–partner interdependence models were estimated to examine the associations between older adults' and family caregivers' perceived anxiousness about COVID-19 and their engagement in personal (e.g. wearing masks, washing hands) and social (e.g. avoiding contact with friends, limiting grocery shopping) preventive behaviors. Separate models were estimated based on older adults' dementia status. Results We found significant actor effects of anxiousness about COVID-19 on preventive behaviors of both older adults and caregivers in nondementia dyads. The anxiousness about COVID-19 of older adults had significant partner effects on both personal and social preventive behaviors of caregivers, whereas caregivers' anxiousness about COVID-19 only had a significant partner effect on social preventive behaviors of older adults. No significant partner effect was found in dementia dyads. Discussion and Implications Our findings highlight the critical role of caregivers in promoting older adults' health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic and maintaining mental well-being of older adults. The study also implies future efforts to explore the dyadic relationship of dementia care dyads in promoting health behaviors and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In California, preventive dental care is covered by Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program). However, many beneficiaries do not use their dental benefits. Given that a lack of knowledge about oral health and insurance coverage contributes to this underutilization, promoting the use of dental benefits among eligible individuals via an educational program is imperative. Responding to the particular needs of older immigrants with limited English proficiency, we developed a digital oral health intervention for older Korean-American Medi-Cal enrollees in Los Angeles. This educational intervention is designed to be delivered via computers and the Internet. It consists of a 15-min self-running PowerPoint presentation narrated in Korean with links to additional information on the Internet. The slides contain information about the basic etiology of oral diseases, oral hygiene, common myths about oral health and dental care, Medi-Cal coverage of preventive dental care, and how to find a dental clinic. Methods: We pilot tested the intervention with 12 participants to examine its feasibility and acceptability. We also obtained participants' qualitative feedback about the intervention. Results: A post-intervention quantitative assessment yielded high participant satisfaction and improved oral health and dental care knowledge. Participant responses to the intervention yielded four themes: (1) content and structure, (2) linguistic and cultural aspects, (3) delivery mode, and (4) additional concerns and suggestions. Conclusions: Our findings confirm the intervention's feasibility and acceptability and suggest further refinement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined how different living/eating arrangements were associated with loneliness and depressive symptoms among older Korean immigrants. We examined gender differences considering: (1) patterns of living/eating arrangements and their relations with loneliness and mental distress and (2) indirect effect of living/eating arrangements on mental distress through feeling lonely. Data were drawn from the Study of Older Korean Americans that surveyed older; Korean immigrants during 2017–2018 (N = 2150). Living/eating arrangements were classified in the combination of four categores. Using the PROCESS macro, we tested gender differences in the mediation effect of loneliness on the relationship between living/eating arrangements and mental distress while controlling for background/health characteristics and social connectedness-related variables. The mediating role of loneliness was manifested differentially between men and women. By administering simple measures of living/eating arrangements, practitioners could potentially identify key targets to improve social and mental well-being, particularly among older immigrants with limited resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]