Centering Voices: Culturally Responsive Support for Central and South Asian Newcomers Using AI and Fitness Trackers

Background: Since August 2021, approximately 88,500 Central/South Asian individuals were unexpectedly evacuated to the United States (US) resulting in significant stress and trauma. By April 2024, over 2,300 Central/South Asian individuals had resettled in Illinois and more than 600 in Tennessee. Despite high rates of stress and PTSD from abrupt displacement, culturally responsive mental health interventions remain limited. To address these needs, our team developed a culturally tailored intervention to reduce stress and enhance integration for Central/South Asian individuals. The program included educational content, fitness trackers to monitor sleep and activity, and access to Dost GPT, an AI-powered platform offering real-time support.

Methods: To collect feedback and evaluate the intervention, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with a subsample of N=10 participants who had received the program. The main research question presented in this study is, “How do recently arrived Central/South Asian individuals perceive the usefulness of an intervention designed to reduce stress and support their integration into the US?” Interviews, each lasting between 30 to 45 minutes, were conducted via Zoom. Using inductive coding, we thematically categorized participants' responses.

Results: The age of participants (4 male and 6 female) ranged between 21-55 years. The study findings were organized around three primary themes in response to the intervention: (1) Educational topics of importance, (2) Usefulness of and comfort with the AI agent, (3) Engagement with fitness trackers. Participants (N=10) found the educational content highly helpful, particularly the modules focused on integration-related topics such as obtaining a driver’s license, understanding gender equity, and navigating healthy relationships. They suggested including more detailed information on mental health and well-being, noting that stress is a relatively new concept for these newly arriving individuals and that the challenges of adjusting to a new country can heighten experiences of depression. Additionally, participants recommended incorporating more content that explains cultural nuances of US society, such as the importance of not identifying individuals solely by race and respecting personal privacy. In terms of the AI agent, six participants appreciated its integration into the intervention and found the website helpful. They especially valued the English language practice audios and the availability of information on culturally centered restaurants. Participants also liked using the AI agent to ask culturally relevant questions. Finally, eight participants expressed strong support for the use of fitness trackers, emphasizing how useful they were in helping them monitor and understand their sleep patterns.

Implications: This study is the first to document a culturally responsive intervention that combines AI and fitness trackers specifically designed for Central/South Asian individuals. The findings highlight the potential of such interventions in supporting newly arriving immigrants. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the intervention on a broader scale across the US. Expanding access to this intervention, alongside services provided by local organizations, may play a crucial role in fostering long-term integration and reducing stress among newly arriving immigrants. Additionally, increased advocacy for community-specific and culturally tailored interventions can significantly enhance the integration experiences of foreign-born individuals.