Telecounseling for the linguistically isolated: a pilot study with older Korean immigrants.
OBJECTIVE
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.


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.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings support the value of telecounseling for linguistically isolated populations and suggest further efforts to extend such programs.
*Address correspondence to Yuri Jang, School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd., D3500, Austin, TX 78712. E-mail: yjang12@austin.utexas.edu.
Yuri
Y
Jang
David A
DA
Chiriboga
Victor
V
Molinari
Soonhee
S
Roh
Yeddi
Y
Park
Songeui
S
Kwon
Hyunhwa
H
Cha
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D049269:Videoconferencing
Depressive symptoms; Linguistically isolated populations; Telehealth