CULTURAL ADAPTATION OF STRESS MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION FOR KOREAN AMERICAN DEMENTIA FAMILY CAREGIVERS

Sep 29, 2026

Korean American (KA) family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias face culturally specific stressors, especially when caring for immigrants at home. Researchers developed the Korean version of iCare (K-iCare), a culturally adapted CBT-based stress reduction intervention. Using the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications-Enhanced, K-iCare was produced via a five-stage process including focus groups, validation, and Korean–English clarification. Materials were translated with cultural and linguistic care, chapters were consolidated, and delivery shifted to synchronous hybrid small-group sessions. A bilingual nurse scientist will deliver the intervention, with fidelity monitoring provided, and feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy are planned for the next phase.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background and need

Development process (FRAME and focus groups)

Intervention materials and delivery format

Implementation support and next-phase evaluation

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 1059 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.3566 CULTURAL ADAPTATION OF STRESS MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION FOR KOREAN AMERICAN DEMENTIA FAMILY CAREGIVERS Hyejin Kim1, Eunbee Liu1, Olimpia Paun1, Jaehyuk Song1, Bruno Kajiyama2, Seok Gyu Han1, and Dolores GallagherThompson3, 1. Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 2. Photozig, Inc., Moffett Field, California, United States, 3. Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States Korean American (KA) family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), particularly those caring for immigrants at home, face unique stress due to culturally specific care needs. We developed the Korean version of iCare (K-iCare), a culturally adapted, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based stress reduction intervention that has been widely adapted for various ethnic groups, but not for KAs. Guided by the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and 1060 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Modifications-Enhanced (FRAME), K-iCare was developed through a five-stage process: (1) initial modification by the research team,(2) feedback from two focus groups, former KA ADRD caregivers (n = 5) and KA community service providers (n = 5),(3) refinement of K-iCare based on focus groups input,(4) validation by focus groups and the original iCare developers, and (5) finalization for implementation. Intervention materials were translated into Korean with careful cultural and linguistic adaptations. Terms without equivalent meaning in Korean were supplemented with both Korean and English wording for clarity. The total number of chapters was consolidated from nine to five, and caregiving scenarios were replaced with culturally relevant examples, such as emphasizing the traditional role of the eldest adult child in caregiving responsibilities. The intervention format was revised from self-paced asynchronous modules to synchronous weekly small-group sessions delivered in a hybrid format. A bilingual and bicultural doctoral-level nurse scientist with expertise in ADRD care will serve as the interventionist. Supporting materials (e.g., fidelity monitoring checklist) were developed to ensure consistent delivery. The next phase will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of K-iCare.

FAQs

What problem does K-iCare address for Korean American dementia family caregivers?

It targets culturally specific stress experienced by Korean American caregivers of individuals with ADRD, particularly those caring for immigrants at home.

How was K-iCare developed?

Using the FRAME process, it was created through five stages: team modification, two focus groups’ feedback, refinement, validation, and finalization for implementation.

What changes were made to the intervention materials and delivery format?

Materials were translated with careful cultural and linguistic adaptations, chapters were consolidated from nine to five, scenarios were replaced with culturally relevant examples, and delivery shifted to synchronous weekly hybrid small-group sessions.

Sep 29, 2026

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