Feasibility of a culturally adapted positive psychological intervention for Hispanics/Latinos with elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. Issue 6 (23rd May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hernandez, Rosalba; Cheung, Elaine; Carnethon, Mercedes; Penedo, Frank J; Moskowitz, Judith T; Martinez, Lizet; Schueller, Stephen M
• Is Part Of: Translational behavioral medicine. Volume 8:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 887
• Page End: 897
• Publication Date: 2018-05-23
• Subjects: Positive psychology -- Psychological well-being -- Hispanics/Latinos -- Cardiovascular disease risk factors -- Cultural adaptation -- Feasibility; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; 616.0019
• DOI: 10.1093/tbm/iby045
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1869-6716

Abstract

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. Abstract : Adequate feasibility and acceptability was documented for an 8-week positive psychological intervention aimed at increasing positive emotion in Hispanics/Latinos at-risk for cardiovascular disease.