Utilization of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine Across Ethnically Diverse Asian Americans.

We conducted an analysis to identify factors influencing the use of traditional complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM), with a particular emphasis on ethnic variations. Using the 2015 Asian American Quality of Life survey (N = 2,609), logistic regression analyses were performed, considering acculturation, health status, healthcare accessibility/utilization, and socio-demographic factors. Ethnicity, specifically being Chinese or Korean Americans, having chronic medical conditions, experiencing unmet healthcare needs, and having regular check-ups were significant predictors of TCAM use among Asian Americans as a whole. However, when we delved into sub-ethnic groups, different patterns were found. Among Vietnamese and Filipino Americans, having unmet healthcare needs emerged as the most prominent predictor of TCAM use. Furthermore, acculturation level and English proficiency were significant in predicting Vietnamese and Filipino Americans' TCAM use, with the direction varying by sub-ethnicity. Being old emerged as a predictor of TCAM use for Chinese, Indian, Korean, and 'other' Americans. Our findings underscore the importance of adopting an ethnically sensitive approach when addressing the healthcare needs of diverse Asian American populations.

Intergenerationology: The Scientific Study of Circular Movement Between Generations.

In this article, we propose a new term, "intergenerationology." Intergenerationology is proposed as a unified term to describe the numerous research and practice models concerning many aspects of circular movement between generations. We define the term intergenerational, with historical context related to research, practice, and policy in the social, behavioral, and health sciences. We also describe how different disciplines have interacted with regard to generations from different yet complementary points of view. Having the term intergenerationology will (a) enable the acceleration and unification of intergenerational studies and practice across disciplines by promoting easy communication among disciplines, (b) encourage more research from diverse science disciplines by giving a name to a popular area of study within them, and (c) provide a recognized term for researchers and practitioners to define their specific teaching, practice, and research interests.

The Impact of Online and Offline Social Support on the Mental Health of Carers of Persons with Cognitive Impairments.

The carers of persons with cognitive impairments, including Alzheimer's have migrated to online platforms to seek help, yet studies on the use of online social support within the context of caregiving are underdeveloped. Guided by the social support theory, we examined the association of online and offline social support with depression and anxiety in the United States. Using a subsample from the 2017 and 2018 Health Information National Trends Survey (n = 264), we conducted ordered logistic regression to test mediation and moderation effects, which revealed that only offline, not online social support had a direct association with carers' mental health. In the moderation model, online social support interacted with life stressors, while offline social support interacted with caregiving burden. Findings are supported using a hybrid model that combines online and offline social support to improve carers' mental health.

Ethnoracial Disparities in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Brief Report.

Despite the well-identified vulnerability of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unclear about their experiences with COVID-related posttraumatic stress disorder symptomology (COVID-PTSD). This study examined ethnoracial disparities in the level of, and factors associated with, COVID-PTSD using a national data set, including 1926 Whites and 488 ethnoracial minorities. Results showed that ethnoracial minorities reported a greater COVID-PTSD than Whites. COVID-related distress was the common risk factor of COVID-PTSD for the both groups. Being a female and greater social support were associated with COVID-PTSD only for Whites, whereas higher education, greater IADL and fewer ADL limitations were associated with COVID-PTSD for ethnoracial minorities. The findings provided preliminary, but generalizable understanding of ethnoracial disparities in COVID-PTSD, among the Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65.

The Experiences of Illness in Korean Bladder Cancer Patients With Radical Cystectomy.

BACKGROUND: After radical cystectomy, many bladder cancer patients experience physical and psychological difficulties. For nurses, understanding the illness experiences should be the utmost priority. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to comprehensively understand the experiences of illness among bladder cancer patients with radical cystectomy in Korea. METHODS: Purposive sampling was used in this qualitative study to recruit patients hospitalized with bladder cancer at the urology cancer center in South Korea. Data were collected through one-on-one in-depth interviews and analyzed using the thematic analysis of Braun and Clarke. RESULTS: Six themes were derived: "confusion with bodily changes," "loss of daily life as it was before radical cystectomy," "feeling daunted," "body acceptance," "adaptation," and "feeling grateful for life." These themes represent the emotional state and adaptation process after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the understanding of the experience of illness in Korean adults experiencing bladder cancer. Whereas most previous research focuses on physical aspects, including treatment methods, this study focused on understanding the life and suffering after discharge of individuals. This study can help nurses to better understand the postoperative life of the patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study can be a foundation for developing informational materials or intervention programs needed to solve the difficulties encountered during urostomy or neobladder self-care. Specifically, a strategy has to be devised to alleviate the pain of loss and to help patients who feel daunted and experience a negative body image.

Alzheimer's Caregivers' Experience With and Perceptions of the Affordable Care Act: Thematic Analysis of Online Discussion Forums.

The objective of this study was to analyze caregivers' authentic perceptions of and experiences with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This mixed-methods study identified and analyzed caregivers' unsolicited posts on a national online forum. Data posted in 2011 to 2017 were collected. The text-mining thematic analysis method was used to code and analyze 514 caregiver posts. Although many caregiver posts about the ACA had a negative tone, perceptions became more positive over time. Three overall themes emerged: (a) concern about cost implications of placement decisions for care recipients, (b) skepticism about government and health care system support of their caregiving roles, and (c) caregivers' own well-being and concerns about health insurance. Clear and effective communication between policymakers, health professionals, and caregivers is needed to enhance health system literacy. Policymakers, as well as health and social care professionals working with Alzheimer's patients and their families, should be empowered to develop and support a family-centered service system.

Does Acculturation Matter? End-of-Life Care Planning and Preference of Foreign-born Older Immigrants in the United States.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Advance care planning (ACP) is a critical component of health care affecting the quality of later life. Responding to the increase in the older immigrant population in the United States, this empirical study explored the racial/ethnic gaps in ACP behaviors among older immigrants and examined the end-of-life (EOL) care planning and preferences of foreign-born immigrant older adults focusing on race/ethnicity, acculturation, health need factors, and enabling social factors (financial capability, public assistance, and informal supports) after controlling predisposing factors (sociodemographic characteristics). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Using a subsample from the National Health and Aging Trends Study 2011 and 2012, hierarchical logistic regression models of the EOL plan and preferences were examined with 50 multiple imputation data sets (n = 232). RESULTS: Descriptive statistics reveal lower ACP engagement of immigrants from racial/ethnic minority groups. In logistic models, however, only Black immigrants were less likely than Whites to have EOL conversations. Among acculturation factors, age at immigration was only negatively associated with having a durable power of attorney for health, but not significantly associated with other ACP behaviors. Instead, health and social factors, primarily need in health and informal support (i.e., number of coresidents and receiving financial help from family members), were associated with different types of ACP components. Receiving public assistance (i.e., receiving Medicaid and SSI) were positively associated with EOL treatment preferences. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Older foreign-born immigrants, in general, showed lower ACP engagement than the overall older population. Moreover, minority immigrants were lower on ACP engagement than both White immigrants. This study highlights the need for formal and informal assistance for enhancing EOL planning for older immigrants. Adding to the culturally competent approach, policy efforts should address social and health factors that accrued throughout individuals' life spans and affect older immigrants' EOL preparation and care.

Facilitators and Barriers for Advance Care Planning Among Ethnic and Racial Minorities in the U.S.: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature.

Growing evidence suggests a low engagement in advance care planning (ACP) among ethnic minorities in the U.S. The purpose of this study was to synthesize findings from prior research about ACP among ethnic minorities. An extensive literature search was conducted using multiple electronic databases. After applying inclusion criteria, 26 studies were included. Four categories of facilitators and barriers to ACP were identified: (1) Socio-demographic factors, (2) health status, literacy and experiences, (3) cultural values, and (4) spirituality. Socio-demographic factors showed inconsistent findings regarding their association with ACP engagement. Worse health status and knowledge about ACP are common facilitators across ethnic minority groups, whereas mistrust toward the health care system was a barrier only for Blacks. Collectivistic cultural values influenced ACP engagement among Latinos and Asian Americans; however, spirituality/religion played an important role among Blacks. The implications for culturally competent approaches to promote ACP and future research directions are discussed.

Comparing Crowdsourcing and Friendsourcing: A Social Media-Based Feasibility Study to Support Alzheimer Disease Caregivers.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, over 15 million informal caregivers provide unpaid care to people with Alzheimer disease (AD). Compared with others in their age group, AD caregivers have higher rates of stress, and medical and psychiatric illnesses. Psychosocial interventions improve the health of caregivers. However, constraints of time, distance, and availability inhibit the use of these services. Newer online technologies, such as social media, online groups, friendsourcing, and crowdsourcing, present alternative methods of delivering support. However, limited work has been done in this area with caregivers. OBJECTIVE: The primary aims of this study were to determine (1) the feasibility of innovating peer support group work delivered through social media with friendsourcing, (2) whether the intervention provides an acceptable method for AD caregivers to obtain support, and (3) whether caregiver outcomes were affected by the intervention. A Facebook app provided support to AD caregivers through collecting friendsourced answers to caregiver questions from participants' social networks. The study's secondary aim was to descriptively compare friendsourced answers versus crowdsourced answers. METHODS: We recruited AD caregivers online to participate in a 6-week-long asynchronous, online, closed group on Facebook, where caregivers received support through moderator prompts, group member interactions, and friendsourced answers to caregiver questions. We surveyed and interviewed participants before and after the online group to assess their needs, views on technology, and experience with the intervention. Caregiver questions were pushed automatically to the participants' Facebook News Feed, allowing participants' Facebook friends to see and post answers to the caregiver questions (Friendsourced answers). Of these caregiver questions, 2 were pushed to crowdsource workers through the Amazon Mechanical Turk platform. We descriptively compared characteristics of these crowdsourced answers with the friendsourced answers. RESULTS: In total, 6 AD caregivers completed the initial online survey and semistructured telephone interview. Of these, 4 AD caregivers agreed to participate in the online Facebook closed group activity portion of the study. Friendsourcing and crowdsourcing answers to caregiver questions had similar rates of acceptability as rated by content experts: 90% (27/30) and 100% (45/45), respectively. Rates of emotional support and informational support for both groups of answers appeared to trend with the type of support emphasized in the caregiver question (emotional vs informational support question). Friendsourced answers included more shared experiences (20/30, 67%) than did crowdsourced answers (4/45, 9%). CONCLUSIONS: We found an asynchronous, online, closed group on Facebook to be generally acceptable as a means to deliver support to caregivers of people with AD. This pilot is too small to make judgments on effectiveness; however, results trended toward an improvement in caregivers' self-efficacy, sense of support, and perceived stress, but these results were not statistically significant. Both friendsourced and crowdsourced answers may be an acceptable way to provide informational and emotional support to caregivers of people with AD.