Research
Areum Han
About Us
The Promoting ACT-based Tools for Health and Participation (PATH) Research Lab, directed by Dr. Areum Han, develops, culturally adapts, implements, and evaluates web-based and hybrid psychological and behavioral programs—particularly those grounded in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)—to promote mental health and values-based living across diverse populations.
Primary populations include caregivers and healthcare professionals serving older adults and individuals with disabilities (e.g., family caregivers of people with dementia, parents of children with disabilities), older adults (e.g., those experiencing loneliness or depression), individuals with disabilities (e.g., those with spinal cord injuries), and Korean immigrants.
Using clinical trials, community-engaged research, implementation science, and digital health interventions—such as a web app with artificial intelligence—the lab is committed to advancing inclusive, evidence-based solutions that support mental health and participation in meaningful, values-aligned activities.
Join Our Team
If you are interested in joining the PATH Research Lab, please email a cover letter outlining your experience and research interests, along with your CV or resume, to Dr. Areum Han at areumhan@usf.edu.
Areum Han, PhD, OTR – Lab Director / Principal Investigator
Dr. Han is an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing at USF and the Director/Principal Investigator of the PATH Lab. She joined USF in April 2025, after serving for 10 years as a faculty member in the Department of Occupational Therapy at several universities, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Yonsei University in South Korea, and Texas Woman’s University.
Dr. Han’s research broadly focuses on psychosocial and behavioral interventions. Since late 2019, her work has centered on developing, culturally adapting, implementing, and evaluating web-based and hybrid programs based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to promote mental health and values-based living. Her primary research populations include family caregivers, paid caregivers, and healthcare professionals caring for individuals with dementia and older adults, with expanded focus on parents of children with disabilities, individuals with spinal cord injuries, and Korean immigrants. Her research incorporates diverse methodologies and approaches, including randomized and non-randomized clinical trials, cross-sectional studies, qualitative methods (e.g., phenomenology), systematic reviews and meta-analyses, community-engaged research, and implementation science.
Several PhD students in the USF College of Nursing work with Dr. Han as graduate research assistants.
Contact
Areum Han PhD, OTR
Associate Professor
USF College of Nursing
12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDN 3033
Tampa, FL 33612
areumhan@usf.edu
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Active Extramural Funding
Florida Center for Nursing
Title: Development and pilot testing of a self-paced web-based acceptance and commitment therapy program for nurses
Role: Principal Investigator
Period: 07/2025 – 06/2026
RRF Foundation for Aging
Title: Cultural adaptation of acceptance and commitment therapy to mitigate loneliness in older Korean immigrants: Evaluation of its feasibility and initial efficacy
Role: Principal Investigator
Period: 06/2025 – 05/2027
National Institutes of Health (NIH) / National Institute on Aging (NIA) R21
Title: Adaptation and feasibility testing of an AI-enabled web app based on acceptance and commitment therapy for family caregivers of people with dementia
Role: Lead (Contact) Principal Investigator
Period:09/2024 – 08/2026
American Occupational Therapy Foundation – Implementation Research Grant
Title: Implementing an occupational therapist-led acceptance and commitment training group for parents in pediatric outpatient clinics
Role: Principal Investigator
Period: 07/2024–06/2026
Craig H. Neilsen Foundation
Title: Acceptance and commitment therapy for depressed people with spinal cord injuries: Testing efficacy and mechanisms of change
Role: Principal Investigator
Period: 05/2024–04/2027
Paralyzed Veterans of America Research Foundation
Title: Acceptance and commitment therapy supplemented with psychoeducation for improving mental health of depressed individuals living with spinal cord injury sustained within 5 years
Role: Principal Investigator
Period: 03/2023–02/2026 with a no-cost extension
Active Intramural Funding
Binghamton University – Community-Engaged Research Grant
Title: Development and pilot testing of a self-help program to promote participation in everyday activities among children with Barth syndrome (PI: Yoonjeong Lim)
Role: Co-Investigator
Period: 07/2025 – 06/2026
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Below are examples of completed research projects from the past five years.
Alzheimer’s Association Research Grant
Title: Guided online acceptance and commitment therapy for dementia caregivers
Role: Principal Investigator
Period: 02/2022–04/2025
American Occupational Therapy Foundation – Intervention Research Grant
Title: A guided eight-week online acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) intervention for distressed family caregivers of people with dementia: A mixed-methods pilot study
Role: Principal Investigator
Period: 07/2021–06/2022
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Below are selected publications. The full list can be found at: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=UFZdvM4AAAAJ&hl
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Areum-Han-4
Han, A., Oster, R., Yuen, H., Jenkins, J., Hawkins, J., & Edwards, L. (2025). Videoconference-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy for family caregivers of people with dementia: Pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research Formative Research, 9, e67545. https://doi.org/10.2196/67545
Han, A. & Hong, I. (2025). Indirect effects of caregiver guilt on depressive symptoms through psychological flexibility processes in family caregivers of people with dementia. Aging & Mental Health, 29(7), 1313–1320. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2025.2475322
Han, A., Lee, H. K., & Hong, I. (2025). Relationships among caregiver burden, psychological flexibility processes, and anxiety in family caregivers of people with dementia. Clinical Gerontologist. Advance Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2025.2464868
Han, A., & Kim, T. (2023). Effects of self-compassion interventions on reducing depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress: A meta-analysis. Mindfulness, 14, 1553-1581. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02148-x
Han, A., Yuen, H. K., & Jenkins, J. (2023). The feasibility and preliminary effects of a pilot randomized controlled trial: Videoconferencing acceptance and commitment therapy in distressed family caregivers of people with dementia. Journal of Health Psychology, 28(6), 554-567. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053221141131
Han, A., Wilroy, J. D., Jenkins, J., & Yuen, H. K. (2023). Effects of a coach-guided videoconferencing acceptance and commitment therapy intervention combined with psychoeducation on distressed individuals living with spinal cord injury: A preliminary mixed-methods study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 45(4), 644-654. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2038283
Han, A., & Kim, T. (2022). Efficacy of internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy for depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, psychological distress, and quality of life: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(12), e39727. https://doi.org/10.2196/39727
Han, A., Yuen, H. K., & Wilroy, J. D. (2022). Exploring associations of psychological inflexibility with depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress in individuals living with a spinal cord injury: A cross-sectional study. Rehabilitation Psychology, 67(2), 170-178. https://doi.org/10.1037/rep0000444
Han, A., Yuen, H. K., & Jenkins, J., & Lee, H.Y. (2022). Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) guided online for distressed caregivers of persons living with dementia. Clinical Gerontologist, 45(4), 927-938. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2021.1908475
Han, A., Yuen, H. K., & Jenkins, J. (2021). Acceptance and commitment therapy for family caregivers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Health Psychology, 26(1), 82-102. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105320941217
Han, A., Kim, T., & Hong, H. (2021). A factorial randomized controlled trial to examine separate and combined effects of a simulation-based empathy enhancement program and a lecture-based education program on family caregivers of people with dementia. Aging & Mental Health, 25(10), 1930-1940. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2020.1768214
Han, A., Yuen, H. K., Lee, H.Y., & Zhou, X. (2020). Effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on process measures of family caregivers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 18, 201-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.10.004
Han, A., Radel, J., McDowd, J., & Sabata, D. (2016). Perspectives of people with dementia about meaningful activities: A synthesis. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, 31(2), 115-123. https://doi.org/10.1177/1533317515598857