Enhancing vaccine confidence through group work: a developmental perspective on Korean American community engagement

This quantitative study examines how culturally grounded, group-based engagement through the Korean American Association of Greater Philadelphia (KAAGP) influenced COVID-19 vaccine confidence among Korean Americans. Integrating the Health Belief Model (HBM) with Tuckman’s group development theory, the study reframes cues to action as relational processes that emerge within cohesive and trusting group environments. Analysis of survey data from 313 participants identified a pathway to vaccine confidence: community engagement operated by fostering relational cues to action. These cues, in turn, served as the strongest direct predictor of vaccine confidence, demonstrating how group cohesion transforms information into collective efficacy. The study underscores the relational construction of health beliefs within mature group functioning and highlights the performing stage of group development as a mechanism for health behavior change. By demonstrating how culturally embedded communication fosters trust, accountability, and empowerment, this research contributes to social work with groups.