Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to explore Korean agency directors’ attitudes about depression treatment and their current efforts and barriers to providing services for older Korean Americans.

Methods: Interviews were conducted with 11 agency directors, providing services from ethnic community centers and health care agencies. A constant comparative approach was applied to detect emerging themes.

Results: Findings revealed that the agency directors had a negative attitude about using antidepressants and counseling. Based on these beliefs, they were less likely to recommend individuals with depression to use medical treatment or counseling; instead, they recommended informal ways of treating depression, including reliance on peers, family, and religious activities. A lack of educational training, funding, collaboration, and Korean-speaking professionals were perceived to be barriers to providing services.

Discussion: Findings indicate the importance of educational training to increase understanding of depression treatment and to support the agency directors in offering services for older Korean Americans.

摘要

目的：本研究的目的是探讨韩国机构主管对抑郁症治疗的态度，以及他们目前为年长的韩裔美国人提供服务的努力和障碍。

方法：对 11 名机构负责人进行了访谈，这些机构负责人提供来自民族社区中心和医疗保健机构的服务。采用了一种不断比较的方法来检测新出现的主题。

结果：调查结果显示，机构负责人对使用抗抑郁药和咨询持消极态度。基于这些信念，他们不太可能推荐抑郁症患者接受医疗或咨询；相反，他们推荐了治疗抑郁症的非正式方法，包括依赖同龄人、家庭和宗教活动。缺乏教育培训、资金、合作和说韩语的专业人士被认为是提供服务的障碍。

讨论：调查结果表明教育培训对于增加对抑郁症治疗的理解和支持机构负责人为年长的韩裔美国人提供服务的重要性。