Background: The Integrated Care Coordinators (ICC) program, part of the California Reducing Disparities Project (CRDP), aims to reduce mental health disparities among Korean immigrants in Southern California by providing culturally responsive care coordination and navigation services. This study examined changes in psychological distress among ICC participants during the CRDP Phase 2 Extension using a pre–post, pre-experimental design. Methods: Surveys administered in Korean at enrollment and discharge (N = 237) assessed sociodemographic characteristics, psychological distress, and program-related perceptions. Analyses focused on pre–post differences in psychological distress and an exploratory examination of participants’ agreement with the statement, “As a direct result of my involvement in the program, my symptoms/problems are not bothering me as much” (5-point Likert scale). Results: A Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Test indicated a statistically significant decrease in psychological distress following program participation (Mdn = 6.00 post vs. Mdn = 11.00 pre), z = -8.07, p < .001, with a medium effect size (r = .40). Exploratory analyses showed a trend in which higher agreement with the program impact statement aligned with larger mean reductions in distress, though these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Although the pre-experimental design limits causal inference, findings suggest meaningful reductions in psychological distress among ICC participants. The observed trend between perceived symptom improvement and distress reduction highlights the potential value of culturally tailored care coordination for Korean immigrants and supports further investigation using more rigorous study designs.

Authors:
Karen Lee, California State University, Fullerton, United States
Mikyong Kim-Goh, California State University, Fullerton, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Karen Kyeunghae Lee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at California State University, Fullerton, USA. Her research focuses on improving mental health care and reducing disparities in Asian communities.

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