“Necesito Un Psicologo” A Behavioral Activation Telenovela Intervention for Depressed Latinas"
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Authors
Chavez-Najera, Rosy Liliana
Issue Date
2023
Type
Dissertation
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
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.