Comparing Caregiving Needs in Asian And White Family Caregivers through a Journaling Exercise Delivered by a Conversational Agent

• Published in: AMIA ... Annual Symposium proceedings Vol. 2022; pp. 1208 - 1216
• Main Authors: Yuwen, Weichao, Chang, Jessica, Divina, Myra F, Fan, Xuehong, Kearns, William, Peredo, Allysa, Hartzler, Andrea L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 2022
• Subjects: Asian; Caregivers; Ethnicity; Family; Humans; Minority Groups; Needs Assessment; White
• ISSN: 1559-4076

Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial and ethnic group with nearly 1 in 5 self-identifying as a family caregiver. Understanding the needs of ethnic minority caregivers is needed to develop inclusive technology solutions that aim to support caregivers within these marginalized communities in managing their own health. This study aimed to describe and compare the common needs of Asian American (AA) and White caregivers through data collected using a short message service-based conversational agent. Caregivers (26 AA and 84 White) shared their daily experiences for 14 days, and the data were analyzed using directed content analysis to identify needs based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Overall, AA and White caregivers expressed different needs in physiological, safety, and esteem categories. Culturally tailored support and resources are needed for family caregivers from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.