Mindfulness Interventions among Latina Immigrant Women: A Mixed Methods Investigation
Latina/o immigrants living in the United States face numerous multisystemic stressors as well as striking disparities with regard to access to culturally sensitive mental health services. Trauma and depressive symptoms are of particular concern among Latina immigrant women, especially those emigrating from Central American countries. Promisingly, mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have garnered increased attention in recent decades due to their effectiveness in reducing stress and numerous forms of psychopathology. Yet, the majority of studies investigating the efficacy and effectiveness of MBIs have been conducted with English-speaking, white, non-Latina/o participants. The present study was designed to develop a clear understanding of the ways in which the theoretical and practical elements of MBIs can be delivered to, and effective with, monolingual Spanish-speaking immigrant Latina mothers. The study utilized a concurrent embedded (QUAL + quan) mixed methods design, wherein the qualitative data were afforded primary importance. Participants (N = 15) engaged in 5 weekly, 90-minute sessions, during which they were introduced to MBIs in Spanish and subsequently interviewed via focus groups to discuss the cultural relevance, acceptability, and feasibility of engaging in MBIs. To assess for preliminary effects of engagement with MBIs, participants also completed assessments at baseline and post-intervention, as well as during each session.Overall, the findings indicate that participants perceived the MBIs to be acceptable, helpful, and culturally relevant. In contrast, more issues were detected with regard to feasibility. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data yielded numerous themes relating to: (a) the role of cultural context and intersecting identities, (b) perceived benefits, especially those associated with relationship gains, (c) the value of family engagement, (d) barriers to engagement and utilization, and (e) suggestions for improving the delivery of MBIs. Quantitative results indicated that the participants experienced statistically significant improvements in self-compassion from baseline to post-intervention, with a medium effect size (d = .75). The findings, in conjunction with a review of the extant literature, were used to develop initial recommendations for future cultural adaptations. The results from the present study also contribute to an effort to reduce service disparities by informing research and clinical work pertaining to the dissemination and culturally sensitive implementation of MBIs to underserved Latina mothers, families, and communities.
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