About

Dara H. Sorkin is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, with a Ph.D. in Psychology and Social Behavior from the same institution. She serves as the Director of the Community Engagement Unit at the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science. Her research interests encompass close relationships, social support and conflict, behavioral lifestyle interventions, chronic disease management, program evaluation, technology and health decision making, mental health, dissemination and implementation science, and community-engaged research. Sorkin's work focuses on understanding and addressing health disparities, particularly among racial and ethnic minority populations, with an emphasis on diabetes care, mental health, and healthcare quality. She has contributed to developing culturally tailored interventions and examining social and psychological factors influencing health outcomes. Her research aims to improve healthcare delivery and health equity through community-engaged approaches and innovative behavioral strategies.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Psychology
• Computer Science
• Psychiatry
• Nursing
• World Wide Web
• Social psychology
• Psychotherapist
• Medical education
• Clinical psychology
• Environmental health
• Applied psychology
• Demography

Selected publications

• Strengthening Community Health Worker and <i>Promotora</i> Workforce Capacity

  JAMA Network Open · 2026-04-10

  articleOpen access

  Importance: Community health workers and promotores (CHW/Ps) are a crucial workforce supporting health promotion, resource navigation, and dissemination of evidence-based health information across diverse communities. Objective: To describe the process and best practices for codesigning and coimplementing innovative, scalable, and culturally relevant capacity-building trainings for CHW/Ps. Design, Setting, and Participants: This mixed-methods study employed a quantitative and qualitative approach and an implementation process involving a collaborative approach that integrated feedback from CHW/Ps, community partners, and advisory board members to select relevant workshop topics. Trainings were attended by CHW/Ps from 243 zip codes across California between September 2023 and March 2024. Exposure: CHW/P participation in culturally and linguistically relevant training workshops delivered monthly over videoconference. Workshops fostered engagement through interactive formats, multilingual resources, and accessible online platforms. Main Outcomes and Measures: Using data from a California-wide partnership, mixed methods (preworkshop and postworkshop sureys analyzed with paired sample t tests, qualitative data analyzed with thematic analysis, ripple effects mapping sessions, and listening sessions with attendees) were used to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the CHW/P trainings. Results: A total of 505 CHW/Ps (469 female [93%]; mean [SD] age, 47.1 [10.5] years; 430 Hispanic or Latino [85%] 413 Spanish-speaking [82%]) participated. Preworkshop and postworkshop surveys (244 attendees) indicated significant improvements in self-reported knowledge, skills, and confidence (t test values ranging from -8.01 to -3.99). Additionally, qualitative data highlighted the workshops' cultural relevance and the desire for more resources and extended engagement opportunities. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this study indicate that this CHW/Ps workforce training model and infrastructure can support the dissemination of trusted public health information during public health emergencies and beyond. Using this model, teams can adapt the content to their specific needs, and the resulting network of trained CHW/Ps can be mobilized to rapidly disseminate evidence-based information across medically underserved and other communities of interest.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Examining the Influence of Social Network Factors on Weight Loss Among Latina and Non-Hispanic White Breast Cancer Survivors: Observational Cohort Study

  JMIR Formative Research · 2026-05-07

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women and is the leading cause of cancer death among Latina individuals. Breast cancer survivors are at increased risk of obesity. Mobile health interventions have been shown to be an effective way of reducing the risk of weight gain. Less studied but also important is the extent to which social networks play a role in supporting or undermining weight loss efforts. OBJECTIVE: We examined the association between 4 kinds of social network interactions and change in BMI among Latina and non-Hispanic White breast cancer survivors engaging in a mobile health app pilot study. METHODS: Latina and non-Hispanic White breast cancer survivors were randomized to engage in either the Mi Salud or Mi Vida, Mi Salud app. Mi Salud allowed participants to engage in self-monitoring by recording their behaviors and symptoms. Mi Vida, Mi Salud used these same features in addition to a self-discovery feature that would summarize and report back this information to participants. We collected information on BMI and health-related social support; positive and negative health-related social control (which included persuasion and pressure, respectively); and undermining at baseline and after 12 weeks of the intervention. RESULTS: While participants (non-Hispanic White n=22 and Latina n=22) in both study arms experienced decreased BMI over the 12-week period, this change in BMI did not differ according to ethnicity. Furthermore, change in social support was not associated with decreased BMI (B=-0.19, P=.12). However, the interaction between change in social support and ethnicity was significant, such that predicted margins were significant for non-Hispanic White individuals (B=-0.57, P=.02) but not for Latina individuals (B=-0.54, P=.72). Change in persuasion was not associated with change in BMI (B=0.072, P=.61); however, increased pressure was associated with increased BMI (B=0.66, P=.02). Finally, change in undermining was not associated with change in BMI (B=0.32, P=.11). CONCLUSIONS: Latina and non-Hispanic White participants did not differ in weight loss. However, our findings regarding social network involvement and change in BMI show the importance of considering social network processes in weight loss among breast cancer survivors. These findings buttress existing research suggesting the benefits of social support, particularly within specific cultural frameworks, while attempts to increase participants' healthy behaviors that involve criticism can be detrimental to change efforts. Future research that builds on these findings is needed to elucidate the specific social network processes that may drive health behavior among diverse breast cancer survivors.

  PublisherDOI

• Mental health outcomes and use of online mental health tools following a public health deployment of the mindfulness meditation app headspace

  Frontiers in Digital Health · 2026-05-07

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Background Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs), such as mindfulness-based apps, have become popular mental health resources and can be associated with benefits such as reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. However, there are limited data on the impact of DMHIs on improving mental health outside of controlled research settings, and what factors may facilitate or inhibit such potential impact. This study aimed to understand whether use of Headspace, a mindfulness meditation app, within the context of a large-scale public deployment affected mental health outcomes, mental health stigma, and utilization of other mental health resources. Methods All community members who received Headspace as part of the deployment ( N = 97,709) were invited to complete an initial survey (time point 1). A second survey (time point 2) was administrated 4 weeks after. Both surveys were voluntary and uncompensated. Participants ( N = 1,229) who had used Headspace and who completed both surveys were included in the analysis. Regression models were used to examine relationships between frequency and continued use of Headspace as well as experiences with Headspace, and changes in mental health problems, mental health stigma, and mental healthcare utilization between time points 1 and 2. Results There was a significant decrease in distress and loneliness over time, regardless of how long or how frequently the participants used Headspace. Those who continued to use Headspace had a larger decrease in mental health stigma resistance compared to those who stopped using Headspace after time point 1. Additionally, those who stopped using Headspace were more likely to use other online mental health tools at time point 2 compared to those who continued to use Headspace. Conclusions Taking part in a program that provides access to a mindfulness app like Headspace may be beneficial for those in need of mental health support. Additionally, people who moved on from Headspace may have already had or found other digital mental health resources that worked well or better for them.

  PublisherDOI

• Exploring online and in-person mental healthcare access and app use in a cohort of people living with disability: results from the 2019 and 2020 California Health Interview Survey

  Internet Interventions · 2026-03-07

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Disability is an increasingly prevalent issue in the United States, which affects over 67 million people. Poor mental health in individuals with disabilities is common; however, access to traditional modes of mental healthcare remains a challenge. This study aims to compare use of traditional and online mental healthcare services between people with and without disabilities. This study used a cross-sectional sample of adults aged 18 years and older ( n = 44,096) from the 2019–2020 California Health Interview Survey. Mental healthcare access in-person and online, or use of digital technologies for mental healthcare were compared between several disability groups to individuals without disabilities. 15.3% of those in this sample reported being in one of the five reported disability groups: cognition, independent-living, seeing/hearing, self-care or multiple. Individuals with disabilities were 2.80 times more likely to access mental healthcare in-person compared to those without disabilities. Several disability groups had increased odds of accessing mental healthcare online, using online technologies for referrals to mental health professionals and connecting to others with a similar condition online. People with disabilities readily access mental healthcare, in-person and online, and use technologies for broader mental healthcare needs. This study highlights the importance of centering accessibility within health technologies. • Individuals with disability readily access mental healthcare, in-person and online. • Differences in accessing mental healthcare between sociodemographics were similar for those with and without disabilities. • Technologies are used to support mental healthcare through treatment as well as referrals and peer support.

  PublisherDOI

• Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Mental Health Help-Seeking Among Asian American Adults: Findings from the 2021 California Health Interview Survey

  Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health · 2026-02-18

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Cumulative adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and psychological distress have been shown to negatively affect mental health across the lifespan. Less is known, however, about how ACEs might impact mental health help-seeking behavior in adulthood, especially among Asian Americans, a population with high exposure to trauma who also face cultural barriers to mental health care. The study’s aim was to evaluate the prevalence of ACEs within a sample of Asian American respondents, the relationship of ACEs and psychological distress with help-seeking, and the association of ACEs with different types of help-seeking behaviors. Data from the 2021 California Health Interview Survey (N = 4,345) were analyzed. Pairwise comparisons examined differences in ACEs and covariates across the seven Asian American subgroups (Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, South Asian, and Other Asian American). Multivariable logistic regression analyses evaluated the relationship between ACEs and covariates with professional and emerging digital mental health help-seeking behaviors. The joint effect between ACEs and Asian American subgroup was evaluated for each type of mental health help-seeking. Covariates included psychological distress, gender, age, marital status, insurance, education, English proficiency, self-rated health, and being U.S.-born. Asian American adults with 4 + ACEs were more likely to seek mental health help from primary care practitioners, mental health professionals, and social media/blogs/online forums than respondents with ≤ 3 ACEs. Moderate/severe psychological distress increased likelihood to seek mental health help. No significant interaction between ACEs and Asian American subgroup was found. Findings indicate that Asian American respondents with elevated ACEs and distress are more likely to seek mental health help from professional and emerging digital resources. This suggests a demand for these resources among those with higher needs. Differences across ACEs and distress levels in help-seeking behaviors emphasize the need for culturally tailored interventions and accessible mental health resources to better support the diverse help-seeking preferences within the Asian American community.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Implementing Digital Mental Health Tools in the Public Behavioral Health Systems: A Multi-City/County Evaluation of California’s Help@Hand Project

  Research Square · 2025-11-04

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Telehealth Use by Home Health Agencies Before, During, and After <scp>COVID</scp>‐19

  Health Services Research · 2025-05-22 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVE: To examine telehealth adoption and discontinuation by home health agencies (HHAs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of telehealth pre-pandemic diffusion into the industry and its continued use once the pandemic abated. STUDY SETTING AND DESIGN: HHAs nationally, serving the most patients with dementia (averaging 33% of the agency's patients) were surveyed during October 2023 to November 2024. Key variables included the agency's adoption and discontinuation of specific telehealth technologies by year, the reasons for discontinuation, and the reasons for not adopting any telehealth technology, either before or during the pandemic. DATA SOURCES AND ANALYTIC SAMPLE: Data were collected via a web-based survey with telephone follow-ups. We received 791 responses (37% response-rate) and provide descriptive statistics of responses and graphics. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: By 2019, prior to COVID-19, 183 (23%) of HHAs used telehealth, increasing to 446 (56%) by 2021. Growth occurred mainly in virtual visits. Of those HHAs adopting telehealth, 96 (19%) discontinued use later in the pandemic. Key concerns were about the appropriateness of the patient population and reimbursement. CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of adoption and discontinuation suggest that COVID-19 interrupted the innovation diffusion process of telehealth into home health. Telehealth's future will depend on information about cost-effectiveness and Medicare reimbursement policies.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Characteristics Associated With the Use of the Mindfulness Meditation App Headspace in a Large Public Health Deployment: Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

  2025-03-04

  preprintOpen accessSenior author

  <sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Mindfulness-based apps can be an effective and accessible resource for mental health support. However, little is known about their use outside of research settings and what user characteristics relate to app use. </sec> <sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> This study aimed to examine the characteristics of people who decided to use, not use, or stop using Headspace within the context of a large-scale public deployment, which offered the mindfulness meditation app Headspace as a free mental health resource to community members. </sec> <sec> <title>METHODS</title> Nearly 100,000 community members received Headspace. All members (N=92,311) received an email inviting them to complete a voluntary and uncompensated survey. In total, 2725 participants completed the survey. The 20-minute survey asked about the use of Headspace, user experience, mental health problems, mental health stigma, and mental health use. Logistic regression models were used to examine relationships between predictors and nonuse, past use, or current use of Headspace. </sec> <sec> <title>RESULTS</title> Participants who were still using Headspace at the time of completing the survey (2076/2725, 76.18%) were more likely to experience mental health challenges and distress and make more use of other digital mental health resources (ie, online tools and connecting with people online) than people who were not using Headspace. In addition, current users of Headspace rated the app higher on user experience compared with past users. The most common reasons for abandoning Headspace were that people were already using other strategies to support their mental health (198/570, 34.7%), no longer needed Headspace (73/570, 12.8%), or did not think Headspace was useful (46/570, 8.1%). </sec> <sec> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> Results indicate that a person’s mental health challenges, a perceived need for support, and familiarity with digital resources were associated with continued use of Headspace. While the most common reason for not using Headspace was that people were already using other resources, it is important to consider the continuity of mental health support beyond these free programs for those who may not have easy access to other resources&lt;i&gt;.&lt;/i&gt; We discuss potential implications of our findings for offering and using apps such as Headspace as a mental health resource, along with factors that influence engagement with this app. </sec>

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Peer Perspectives on Challenges Encountered During a Multi-Site Digital Mental Health Intervention Project

  Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research · 2025-04-19 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  Peers are individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges trained to provide support to others with similar challenges. Help@Hand was a multi-site project that integrated peers into digital mental health intervention (DMHI) implementation. This study uses the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to frame challenges reported by peers when implementing DMHIs. Individuals leading the local peer workforce completed quarterly online surveys about perceived challenges to DMHI implementation. Biannual interviews probed for details on survey-reported challenges. 103 quarterly surveys and 39 bi-annual interviews were collected from key informants at 11 Help@Hand sites between Summer 2020 and Fall 2022. One challenge was tied directly to DMHIs; namely, device distribution. Several related to the Implementation Process, including challenges with recruiting qualified peers and integrating peers into DMHI implementations; communication and collaboration; and translation. Challenges in the Individual domain included unclear peer roles and multi-tasking across various projects. Inner Setting challenges included structural barriers to hiring peers, issues with communication and project management, and workforce turnover. Outer Setting challenges related to environmental technology readiness, COVID-19, unclear decision-making processes across the collaborative, and uneven communication between sites' peers. Funding uncertainty bridged the Inner and Outer Settings. Using the CFIR model to frame challenges to DMHI implementation yielded useful lessons, especially when peers are engaged as partners in planning and implementation process. Successful implementation will be enhanced by ensuring adequate environmental readiness for tech-based interventions, clear role definition, streamlined peer hiring processes, and well-delineated lines of communication locally and across sites.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Adult Digital Mental Health Tool Use From 2019-2022: Findings from the California Health Interview Survey

  Psychiatric Quarterly · 2025-11-13

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) provide tools to seek mental health resources, providers, and facilitate and/or complement in-person treatment. Limited research has examined what factors are associated with DMHI uptake. We used California Health Interview Survey data to examine DMHI use among California adults (2019-2022), estimating three multi-variable logistic regression models to assess if DMHI use to seek mental health support (Model 1), connect with mental health professionals (Model 2), and connect with others with similar concerns (Model 3) varied by psychological distress or sociodemographic variables. We used Wald Chi-square statistics tests to examine reasons for not using DMHIs by the same variables. DMHI use to seek mental health support (OR = 1.6) and connect with professionals (OR = 1.4) increased between 2019-2022. High psychological distress individuals used DMHIs for all three outcomes significantly more than low/no distress individuals (Model 1: OR = 14.9; Model 2: OR = 11.9; Model 3: OR = 13.0). The top reason for not using online tools regardless of distress was in-person treatment. The second reasons were low perceived treatment utility (high/medium distress individuals), and low perceived need (low/no distress individuals). Overall, younger, female, more educated, insured, unmarried, and non-Hispanic White participants were more likely to use DMHIs than older, male, less educated, uninsured, married, and Asian counterparts. Adult DMHI use to seek mental health support and professional treatment increased between pre-pandemic and pandemic years. Many respondents who did not use DMHIs sought in-person support. Future research can examine how to increase perceived DMHI efficacy among people with high/medium distress.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant K01DK078939

  NIH · $578k · 2013

• Unidas por la Vida: A Healthy Lifestyle Intervention for High-risk Latina Dyads

  NIH · $2.9M · 2014–2021

• NIH Grant R01MH091221

  NIH · $1.1M · 2015

• NIH Grant R34DK083500

  NIH · $458k · 2012

Frequent coauthors

• Dana B. Mukamel

  University of California, Irvine

  50 shared

• Nicole A. Stadnick

  Health Services Research & Development

  42 shared

• Quyen Ngo‐Metzger

  Kaiser Permanente

  42 shared

• Elizabeth V. Eikey

  Human Longevity (United States)

  36 shared

• Heather Ladd

  University of California, Irvine

  28 shared

• John Billimek

  27 shared

• Stephen M. Schueller

  University of California, Irvine

  23 shared

• Margaret Schneider

  22 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Psychology and Social Behavior

  University of California, Irvine

Awards & honors

• 2015 Outstanding Community Research Award Recipient
• 2015 Dean's Junior Physician/Scientist Award for Outstanding…
• 2017 Faculty Mentor of the Month (March 2017), University of…
• 2021 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Rese…