Ellis, Donovan M.; Draheim, Amanda A.; Anderson, Page L.
doi: 10.1037/ccp0000759pmid: 36227330
Objective: Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) are typically designed as “one-size fits all” which may perpetuate health disparities for racialized minorities. This systematic review identified culturally adapted DMHIs and examined their efficacy and acceptability among racial and ethnic minorities. Method: PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Pubmed databases were searched between 2000 and 2021. Studies that examined the development or impact of a culturally adapted DMHI for racial or ethnic minority populations using quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies were included. Meta-analyses explored the efficacy of DMHIs, and moderator analyses were used to identify differences in effect sizes due to study quality, clinical outcomes, therapist support, and attrition. Results: Thirty-two studies met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. DMHIs were deemed acceptable and feasible in most studies (n = 24). Among eligible randomized controlled studies (n = 12) comprising 653 participants, results indicated that culturally adapted DMHIs produced a large, positive, significant effect (g = 0.90) across a range of outcomes when compared to wait-list and treatment as usual control conditions. The average attrition rate per study was 42%, and most participants did not complete all modules despite reporting high satisfaction. Conclusions: Culturally adapted DMHIs are efficacious and acceptable. Such interventions represent a powerful opportunity to circumvent barriers to mental health treatment and improve mental health equity among racially and ethnically minoritized communities. However, the prevalence of feasibility studies, lack of active comparison treatments—and limited research for Black and Indigenous populations—indicate that more research is needed to achieve this purpose. Recommendations are discussed.
Kaur, Kiran; Gutierrez Chavez, Manuel; Tacana, Tracey; Sanchez-Birkhead, Ana; Mukundente, Valentine; Napia, Edwin Eru; Tavake-Pasi, Fahina; Villalta, Jeannette; Lee, Doriena; Sunada, Grant; Stark, Louisa; Crowell, Sheila E.; Asnaani, Anu
Sweeney, Allison M.; Wilson, Dawn K.; Van Horn, M. Lee; Zarrett, Nicole; Resnicow, Kenneth; Brown, Asia; Quattlebaum, Mary; Gadson, Barney
doi: 10.1037/ccp0000740pmid: 35834196
Objective: Motivation is a barrier to physical activity (PA) among African American (AA) women, but past studies have implemented a “one-size-fits-all” approach and have not addressed differences in autonomous motivation. This pilot randomized controlled trial assessed the preliminary efficacy of “Developing Real Incentives and Volition for Exercise,” a community- and theory-based intervention, which evaluated whether a motivationally matched (vs. a nonmatched) intervention increases daily total PA. Method: In total, 68 AA women (50.72 ± 13.66 years; 86.8% with obesity) were randomized to an 8-week challenge-focused program (targeted toward high autonomous motivation) or rewards-focused program (targeted toward low autonomous motivation). Randomization was stratified by baseline autonomous motivation. FitBits were used during the intervention to promote self-monitoring (both programs) and social connectedness (challenge program only). Results: Both programs retained ≥80% of participants. Process evaluation revealed high attendance, dose, and fidelity (both programs). However, contrary to expectations, across all motivational levels (low and high autonomous), the challenge-focused intervention resulted in a greater increase in total daily PA (primary outcome), with an average increase of 17.9 min in the challenge-focused intervention versus an average decrease of 8.55 min in the rewards-focused intervention. An exploratory follow-up analysis revealed that engagement with the FitBit mobile app predicted greater PA at postintervention in the challenge-focused program. Conclusions: A team-based approach targeting social connectedness, enjoyment of PA, and positive intragroup competition is a promising approach for promoting PA among AA women. These findings are used to guide a discussion on best practices for engaging AA women in future behavioral interventions.
Bauer, Alexandria G.; Pean, Kierra; Lalwani, Tanya; Julien, Lovelyne; Shevorykin, Alina
doi: 10.1037/ccp0000741pmid: 36355649
Objective: To report on multilevel strategies for addressing community mental health disparities among young Black/African American men, who are at increased risk for trauma exposure yet have a lower likelihood of receiving mental health care compared to other young adults. Method: This was a secondary data analysis from a larger mixed-methods study that was conducted in two phases, using an exploratory sequential design. Participants in Phase 1 were 55 Black men aged 18–30 years old (M = 22.55, SD = 3.9), who had experienced one or more lifetime traumatic events. Relevant for the present study, participants completed focus groups that elicited community needs and recommended strategies for promoting community mental health. The social–ecological model (including individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy levels) was used to guide interpretation of these qualitative findings. Results: Focus groups recommended intervention strategies from individual/interpersonal levels (e.g., educational resources, fostering social support) to organizational and community approaches (e.g., resource fairs; tools for schools, churches, and broader community settings) and policy changes (e.g., increased funding to improve access). Conclusions: Qualitative findings have potential to provide the foundation for culturally relevant interventions to improve access to mental health care and engagement in services. It is imperative that researchers partner with communities to address these disparities.
Singla, Daisy R.; Hossain, Sabrina; Andrejek, Nicole; Cohen, Matthew J.; Dennis, Cindy-Lee; Kim, Jo; La Porte, Laura; Meltzer-Brody, Samantha E.; Puerto Nino, Angie; Ravitz, Paula; Schoueri-Mychasiw, Nour; Silver, Richard; Vigod, Simone N.; Zibaman, Maral; Schiller, Crystal E.
Haft, Stephanie L.; O’Grady, Sinclaire M.; Shaller, Esme A. L.; Liu, Nancy H.
doi: 10.1037/ccp0000730pmid: 35420839
Objective: Adapting mental health-care interventions to the race, ethnicity, or culture of the target group can enhance the acceptance and effectiveness of the treatment. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment that is principle-driven, rendering it well-suited for adaptations across cultural contexts. This article conducts a systematic review of the literature to determine the nature and extent of cultural adaptations of DBT to date. Method: We searched databases for original articles describing cultural adaptations of DBT, as applied to both (a) people of color within Western countries and (b) populations within non-Western countries. Consistent with the focus on descriptively characterizing extant DBT cultural adaptations, we included both published and nonpublished studies, as well as both observational and experimental studies. Results: Our search yielded 18 articles that met inclusion criteria. Of these articles, half described adaptations made with people and communities of color within the U.S. Most adaptations involved modifications to language, metaphors, methods, and context. Conclusions: Culturally adapted DBT has been implemented and accepted among several racial, ethnic, and cultural groups, although there is insufficient evidence to determine whether culturally adapted DBT is more efficacious than nonadapted DBT. We conclude with recommendations for best practices for DBT researchers and clinicians, and situate our findings among larger efforts to render existing evidence-based psychotherapies more optimal for people of color and people from non-Western countries.
Wendt, Dennis C.; Huson, Kelsey; Albatnuni, Mawdah; Gone, Joseph P.
doi: 10.1037/ccp0000757pmid: 36190756
Objective: This conceptual article addresses “best practices” for Indigenous Peoples in the United States and Canada. This topic is “thorny” both pragmatically (e.g., rare representation in clinical trials) and ethically (e.g., ongoing settler colonialism). Method: We outline four potential approaches, or “paths,” in conceptualizing best practices for psychotherapy: (a) limiting psychotherapy to empirically supported treatments, (b) prioritizing the use of culturally adapted interventions, (c) focusing on common factors of psychotherapy, and (d) promoting grassroots Indigenous approaches and traditional healing. Results: Lessons from our four-path journey include (a) the limits of empirically supported treatments, which are inadequate in number and scope when it comes to Indigenous clients, (b) the value of prioritizing interventions that are culturally adapted and/or evaluated for use with Indigenous populations, (c) the importance of common factors of evidence-based practice, alongside the danger of psychotherapy as a covert assimilative enterprise, and (d) the need to support traditional and grassroots cultural interventions that promote “culture-as-treatment.” Conclusions: A greater commitment to community-engaged research and cultural humility is necessary to promote Indigenous mental health, including greater attention to supporting traditional healing and Indigenous-led cultural interventions.
Patriarca, Guadalupe C.; Rey, Yasmin; Marin, Carla E.; Yeguez, Carlos E.; Pettit, Jeremy W.; Silverman, Wendy K.
doi: 10.1037/ccp0000770pmid: 36355650
Objective: Although cognitive behavioral treatments (CBTs) are well-established evidence-based interventions for anxiety disorders in youth, there is long-standing underrepresentation of Hispanic/Latino (H/L) families in youth anxiety clinical trials research. The impact of such underrepresentation is that clinicians who work with H/L youth have minimal evidence-based guidance on best practices. The present study moves toward informing best practices for working with H/L youth with anxiety disorders by examining H/L parents’ acculturation and enculturation as moderators of youth anxiety outcomes following CBTs. Method: Two hundred eleven H/L youths ages 6–16 (M = 9.41 years, SD = 2.39 years; 43.8% female) and their parents were assigned to individual-youth CBT or one of two parent involvement CBTs: one targeted decreasing parent psychological control, the other targeted decreasing parent use of negative reinforcement. Parent acculturation and enculturation were measured at pretreatment; youth anxiety severity was measured at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 12-month follow-up evaluations. Results: Youth anxiety outcomes were enhanced in both parent involvement CBTs compared with individual-youth CBT. Parent acculturation, but not enculturation, significantly moderated outcomes. At lower levels of parent acculturation, youth anxiety outcomes were enhanced in the parent involvement CBT that targeted negative reinforcement. At higher levels of parent acculturation, youth anxiety outcomes were enhanced in the parent involvement CBT that targeted psychological control. Conclusions: These findings further support the efficacy of CBTs for anxiety disorders in H/L youth and suggest guidance for tailoring parent involvement treatments based on parent acculturation levels.
Showing 1 to 10 of 11 Articles
doi: 10.1037/ccp0000742pmid: 36355648
Objective: Integrating best practices for health disparities to adapt evidence-based treatments is imperative to adequately meet the needs of diverse cultures, particularly ones that therapists can apply flexibility across multiple diverse communities. Method: Using a mixed-methods, community-engaged approach, we examined how a range of community participants (N = 169) defined mental health, perceived barriers to treatment, and used culturally based coping methods to manage their mental health. Phase 1 (n = 49) included qualitative focus group data from five distinct racial/ethnic communities (African immigrants/refugees, Black/African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, and American Indians). Phase 2 included quantitative surveys from members of four of these communities (n = 59) and the frontline providers serving them (n = 61). Results: The communities and providers highlighted chronic worry and distress related to daily activities as primary treatment concerns. Further, this mixed-methods data informed our proposed best practice treatment adaptation framework using chronic worry as an example. Conclusion: The main aims of this study were to exemplify best practices for addressing mental health inequities in communities of color in terms of (a) conducting health disparities research and (b) applying a treatment adaptation framework for culturally responsive clinical care. Specific features of how this framework was conceived and applied provide a unique and critical view into integrating best practices to address health disparities in diverse communities.
doi: 10.1037/ccp0000754pmid: 36174135
Objective: There is a critical need to better understand psychological treatments from a culturally sensitive lens. Using a process-oriented model, we examined treatment satisfaction among perinatal patients who received behavioral activation (BA) within a large psychotherapy trial for perinatal depression and anxiety, and explored how to optimize culturally sensitive delivery through a multistakeholder perspective. Method: In this mixed methods study, we estimated treatment satisfaction through mean client satisfaction scores (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire [CSQ]-8) among perinatal participants (N = 417) using one-way analysis of variance. We also conducted semistructured interviews with 20 ethnically diverse perinatal participants, 19 treatment providers, and five clinical leads. We employed content analysis to identify barriers, facilitators, and strategies for delivering culturally sensitive treatment. Results: CSQ-8 scores were similar across ethnic groups, F(7, 409) = 0.70, p = .67. Most participant interviewees reported that topics of race, ethnicity, and culture were raised during treatment sessions and that providers were able to address these topics in a culturally sensitive way. Despite this, almost all providers and clinical leads reported insufficient training to deliver culturally sensitive psychotherapy. The most-endorsed challenge for participants and providers was apprehension to bring up issues of race and ethnicity during treatment. Key facilitators included provider style, previous training, ongoing training resources, and supervision. Conclusion: BA offers one psychotherapeutic model that uses an idiosyncratic and process-oriented approach that fosters intersectional humility and benefits from cultural humility, comfort, and opportunities. We identify key recommendations to inform culturally sensitive, evidence-based psychological treatments that include explicitly acknowledging and eliciting topics of race, ethnicity, and culture during sessions and supervision and ongoing training and supervision.
Objective: To carry out and evaluate a communications campaign (La CLAve) to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) in a U.S. Latinx community. Method: We employed evidence-based messaging in multiple media outlets. We recruited 132 Latinxs with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and caregivers seeking mental health care within a high-density Latinx community. We evaluated the campaign’s dissemination, the extent to which the community received the campaign message, and the campaign outcome. We tested whether DUP (number of weeks) changed across three time periods (16-month baseline, 2-year campaign, and 16-month postcampaign) and whether participants’ language background (primarily Spanish speaking or English speaking) moderated change in DUP. Results: The campaign was disseminated widely. During the height of the campaign over a 1-year period, our team distributed 22,039 brochures and performed 740 workshops. The campaign message was received by the community as noted for example by increases in the number of unduplicated weekly calls to the campaign’s 1-800 number. Applying square root transformations to DUP, we found a significant main effect for language background but not for campaign period nor their interaction. The unadjusted mean DUP for Spanish-speaking persons with FEP was more than twice as high as the mean DUP for English-speaking persons with FEP. Conclusion: Spanish-speaking Latinxs with FEP are especially in need of early psychosis treatment. The campaign reached the community but additional steps are needed to reduce treatment delay. Greater attention is needed to increase access to early intervention services for communities of color.