Understanding Older Korean Americans’ Experiences with the MoCA–K: A Qualitative Study

OBJECTIVES: Given the increasing importance of early cognitive screening and the growing use of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in diverse populations, this qualitative study explored how older Korean Americans in community settings perceived and experienced the Korean version of the MoCA (MoCA-K). METHODS: Designed as an ancillary qualitative study, twelve older Korean Americans living in subsidized senior housing in Los Angeles were purposively selected and underwent semi-structured interviews within one week following MoCA-K administration. Encompassing both general and item-specific aspects of the MOCA-K, the interviews were conducted in Korean, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the constant comparative method. Codes were iteratively compared, grouped into categories, and synthesized into overarching themes. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: (1) emotional responses to testing; (2) challenges with specific MoCA-K items; and (3) contextual factors affecting performance. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive screening functions as both an evaluative and emotionally meaningful experience for older Korean Americans, with item-level and contextual factors influencing performance. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Further attention to the interplay between participant characteristics and contextual conditions may enhance participant engagement and help reduce misclassification in community-based cognitive screening. Findings highlight the importance of culturally and contextually sensitive approaches in future practice and research.