Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Sep 20, 2023
Date Accepted: Nov 29, 2023
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Feasibility and Acceptability of the Cuidándome Telehealth Intervention for Self-Management of Depression and Anxiety Among Latina Immigrant Women: A Randomized Controlled Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Growing evidence suggests that Latina immigrant survivors of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at increased risk for developing and remaining with depression and/or anxiety symptoms. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth intervention - Cuidándome (quee-DAN-doh-meh, “taking care of myself”). Cuidándome is a 10-week, patient-centered, trauma-informed intervention delivered by a trained facilitator that promotes self-management of depression and anxiety symptoms through improved problem-solving skills and strategies.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of Cuidándome delivered virtually (via Zoom) with Latina immigrant ACE survivors with depression and/or anxiety symptoms. We also estimated effect sizes associated with the intervention on decreasing depression and/or anxiety symptoms and improving social problem-solving styles.
Methods:
We evaluated Cuidándome using a randomized controlled design. Latina immigrants (N=47) who had experienced at least one ACE and had at least mild depression or anxiety symptoms were randomized to Cuidándome or a comparison group. We assessed for changes in depression and anxiety symptoms as well as social problem-solving styles at baseline, post-intervention, and 3 and 6 months follow-up.
Results:
Analyses indicated significant decreases over time within both Cuidándome and comparison groups for depression and anxiety symptoms and maladaptive problem-solving. The intervention effect was largest for anxiety; at 6-months follow-up, Cuidándome participants had significantly lower anxiety scores compared to the comparison group. In addition, we observed a greater average point reduction in depression symptoms at 6 months among Cuidándome participants (5.7 points) compared to the comparison group (3.7 points).
Conclusions:
A mental health program delivered online by a trained facilitator was feasible and acceptable to Latina immigrant women and can be beneficial for reducing anxiety and depression symptoms. More research is needed to assess the effectiveness of Cuidándome among a powered sample size of Latina immigrants. Clinical Trial: This was not a trial.
Citation
