Feasibility of a culturally adapted positive psychological intervention for Hispanics/Latinos with elevated risk for cardiovascular disease

Transl Behav Med. 2018 Nov 21;8(6):887-897. doi: 10.1093/tbm/iby045.

Abstract

Although increasing emotional well-being has been proposed as a potential pathway to drive cardiac health, emotional well-being interventions for people with cardiac risk are underdeveloped, particularly among Hispanic/Latino adults. Our objective was to pilot a well-being intervention drawing on positive psychology concepts to determine feasibility and acceptability in Hispanics/Latinos at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We developed a Spanish-language positive psychological intervention, with cultural tailoring informed by formative qualitative work, to promote emotional well-being and its antecedents in Hispanics/Latinos. Hispanic/Latino adults (n = 19) self-reporting two or more CVD risk factors were enrolled in our single-arm 8-week pilot trial. The group intervention consisted of 8 weekly 90-min sessions delivered by a bilingual licensed clinical social worker. Mean age was 54.1 years, 68.8% were female, and 50% had ≤eighth-grade education. Eleven of 19 Hispanic/Latino adults completed the 8-week program for a 57.89% retention rate, with a majority of factors leading to dropout unrelated to program content or mode of delivery. Most participants felt satisfied overall with each session (97.1%). Largest increases relative to baseline after receiving the intervention were found in engagement in happiness-inducing behaviors (e.g., meditation), emotional vitality, and subjective happiness using metrics of reliable change and effect sizes. This single-arm trial documented adequate feasibility and acceptability, although strategies to increase retention are warranted. Future studies should test our intervention using a randomized trial design with a larger sample size and inclusion of biomarkers (e.g., C-reactive protein) to document impact of our intervention on cardiac-related health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases / ethnology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Culturally Competent Care / methods*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / ethnology*
  • Patient Satisfaction*
  • Program Development*
  • Program Evaluation*
  • Psychotherapy / methods*
  • Risk
  • Social Workers