Gerontologist
Volume 54, Issue 2, 2014, Pages 290-296

Telecounseling for the linguistically isolated: A pilot study with older korean immigrants (Article) (Open Access)

Jang Y.* , Chiriboga D.A. , Molinari V. , Roh S. , Park Y. , Kwon S. , Cha H.
  • a School of Social Work, University of Texas, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd., D3500, Austin, TX 78712, United States
  • b Department of Child and Family Studies, University of South Florida, United States
  • c School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, United States
  • d Department of Social Work, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, United States
  • e Silver School of Social Work, New York University, United States
  • f Flushing Hospital Psychiatry and Addiction Department, NY, United States
  • g Hamilton Madison House, NY, United States

Abstract

Purpose: Responding to the critical needs of the linguistically isolated, this pilot study tested the use of telehealth technology in providing access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services. The goal of the study was to explore the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a telecounseling program in the client's native language. Design and Methods: Using a small sample of older Korean immigrants living in a low-income housing facility in Orlando, Florida, who had concerns about depressive moods (n = 14), the pilot telecounseling program was implemented via videoconferencing. Four weekly sessions were conducted by 4 Korean mental health counselors based in New York. Results: A high level of completion (86%) and overall satisfaction with the program were observed. Participants also exhibited a significant reduction in depressive symptom severity shortly after completion of the program. At the 3-month follow-up, the participants' depressive symptom scores remained significantly lower than those at the initial assessment. Implications. The findings support the value of telecounseling for linguistically isolated populations and suggest further efforts to extend such programs. © 2013 The Author.

Author Keywords

Telehealth Linguistically isolated populations Depressive symptoms

Index Keywords

South Korea depression Republic of Korea videoconferencing human epidemiology rural population Aged ethnology United States Humans migrant psychology Asian Americans male Emigrants and Immigrants Asian American Aged, 80 and over patient referral very elderly female Referral and Consultation pilot study Retrospective Studies retrospective study Pilot Projects
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84898946777&doi=10.1093%2fgeront%2fgns196&partnerID=40&md5=65a2ec27a1047908c4984c39df4570db
DOI: 10.1093/geront/gns196
ISSN: 00169013
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English