“Necesito Un Psicologo” A Behavioral Activation Telenovela Intervention for Depressed Latinas"

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Chavez-Najera, Rosy Liliana

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2023

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Dissertation

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Abstract

Latinxs in the U.S. experience considerable rates of depression. Behavioral Activation (BA) is an empiricallysupported intervention used effectively to reduce depressive symptoms among this population. Unfortunately, despite the availability of effective treatments such as BA Spanish Speaking Latinxs (SSL) significantly underutilize behavioral health services. Internal and external barriers are cited in the literature as factors that contribute to the underutilization of behavioral health services among this group. External barriers are factors outside the person (i.e., transportation, childcare, time off work, etc.) and are typically associated with socioeconomic status (SES), whereas internal barriers are factors within the individual (i.e., cultural beliefs, behavioral health literacy, stigma. etc.) and are typically associated with the cultural and educational background. Fortunately, internet-based interventions have the potential to mitigate these barriers given their increased privacy, cost-effectiveness, and logistical flexibility. However, two limitations have been found when using internet-based interventions, reach and engagement. Conveniently, education-entertainment (E-E) and cultural attunement are two mechanisms used to bolster engagement and reach. Thus, the present study sought to examine the feasibility of a telenovela designed using cultural attunement and the E-E framework to deliver BA via the internet to depressed SSLs. Thirty-two participants were enrolled in the study of which twenty-one completed the treatment. Clinically and statistically significant treatment results were obtained, and our data demonstrated high overall feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. This exploratory study yielded promising preliminary data to suggest that the BA delivered via an online telenovela intervention is feasible and highly acceptable among depressed SSLs.

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