A Review of Latino/Latinx Participants in Mindfulness-Based Intervention Research

Cotter, Elizabeth W.; Jones, Naya

doi:10.1007/s12671-019-01266-9

Cited by 25 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 101 publications

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“…MTPC-Portuguese demonstrated a medium-to-large effect size in decreasing depression symptoms and a medium effect size in reducing anxiety symptoms, in accordance with a previous randomized controlled trial which showed that MTPC in English decreases anxiety when compared with a mindfulness low-dose comparator with significant within-group effect sizes ranging from d = 0.43 (depression) to d = 0.72 (anxiety) (34). The potential mental health benefits described herein are aligned with a small but growing literature described by Cotter et al (97) in a recent review of MBI research among U.S. immigrants with origins in countries from Ibero-America, largely represented by uncontrolled trials, where five of six studies found a significant reduction in depressive symptoms (82,(98)(99)(100)(101) and five of eight studies reported a significant impact on anxiety symptomatology (80,82,99,100,102) after mindfulness training. Research conducted in Brazil also suggests salutary effects of mindfulness training on depression and anxiety (103-105), though investigation in primary care settings is needed (106,107).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Mindfulness Training for Primary Care for Portuguese-Speaking Immigrants: A Pilot Study

et al. 2021

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Background: Portuguese-speaking immigrants are a growing underserved population in the Unites States who experience high levels of psychological distress and increased vulnerability to mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Current evidence shows that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are effective to promote physical and mental health among educated English speakers; nonetheless, the lack of diversity in the mindfulness literature is a considerable limitation. To our knowledge, the feasibility and acceptability of MBIs among Portuguese-speaking immigrants have not yet been investigated.Methods: This single-arm pilot study (N = 30) explored the feasibility, acceptability, and cultural aspects of Mindfulness Training for Primary Care (MTPC)-Portuguese among Portuguese-speaking immigrants in the Boston area. MTPC is an 8-week, primary care-adapted, referral-based, insurance-reimbursable, trauma-informed MBI that is fully integrated into a healthcare system. The study also examined intervention preliminary effectiveness on mental health outcomes (depression and anxiety symptoms) and self-regulation (emotional regulation, mindfulness, self-compassion, interoceptive awareness), and initiation of health behavior was explored.Results: Primary care providers referred 129 patients from 2018 to 2020. Main DSM-5 primary diagnoses were depression (76.3%) and anxiety disorders (6.7%). Participants (N = 30) attended a mean of 6.1 (SD 1.92) sessions and reported a mean of 213.7 (SD = 124.3) min of practice per week. All survey finishers would recommend the program to a friend, found the program helpful, and rated the overall program as “very good” or “excellent,” and 93% would participate again, with satisfaction mean scores between 4.6 and 5 (Likert scale 0–5). Participants and group leaders provided feedback to refine MTPC-Portuguese culturally responsiveness regarding materials language, settings, time, food, and community building. Patients exhibited reductions in depression (d = 0.67; p < 0.001) and anxiety (d = 0.48; p = 0.011) symptoms, as well as enhanced emotional regulation (d = 0.45; p = 0.009), and among survey finishers, 50% initiated health behavior change through action plan initiation.Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that MTPC-Portuguese is feasible, acceptable, and culturally appropriate among Portuguese-speaking patients in the Boston area. Furthermore, the intervention might potentially decrease depression and anxiety symptoms, facilitate health behavior change, and improve emotional regulation. MTPC-Portuguese investigation with larger samples in controlled studies is warranted to support its dissemination and implementation in the healthcare system.Clinical Trial Registration: Identifier: NCT04268355.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Mindfulness Training for Primary Care for Portuguese-Speaking Immigrants: A Pilot Study

et al. 2021

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“…Given this array of helpful and relevant benefits, MBAs are poised to support the health of Latinx individuals in important ways. For example, Cotter and Jones’ ( 2020 ) systematic review examining the feasibility and efficacy of MBAs in Latinx participants described potential promising effects on stress and other health outcomes using diverse MBAs. However, they noted important limitations of the extant scientific knowledge base—the scarcity of research in this area; in particular, the paucity of randomized controlled trials which limit the ability to infer causation; the limited use of cultural adaptations (such as the use of Spanish-language materials or a Latinx facilitator); the use of small sample sizes and a lack of rigorous research designs; the lack of long-term tracking of health-related outcomes post-intervention and longer-term follow-up; and the fact that most studies in this review treated the Latinx participants as a single group rather than conducting sub-group analyses recognizing this is a vastly heterogeneous population.…”

Section: Mbas Hold Promise For Improving the Health Of Latinx Individ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent years, various independent research groups have taken steps to develop and test cultural adaptations to MBAs for Latinx individuals. A meta-analysis by Cotter and Jones ( 2020 ) described cultural adaptations at various levels across the studies they reviewed. To address barriers to engagement , adaptations have centered on problem-solving transportation problems, offering childcare, providing the intervention at a low cost or free-of-charge, and scheduling sessions at convenient times.…”

Section: Recommendations For Building a Latinx Inclusive Mindfulness ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One barrier to Latinx engagement in MBAs may be the historical roots of mindfulness, as mindfulness practices have been most systematically elaborated in the Buddhist religion and most Western medicine interventions were developed as secular adaptations of this tradition. Specifically, some scholars note a potential for incongruence between Christian religious beliefs prevalent in some Latinx communities and Eastern mindfulness traditions (Cotter & Jones, 2020 ; Ortiz et al, 2019 ). In our experience, it is common for participants in MBAs to have questions about the relationship between mindfulness and religious practices; therefore, clinicians and instructors need to be prepared to respond to such concerns, as well as to provide integrative frameworks to facilitate a complementary relationship between mindfulness and religion.…”

Section: Recommendations For Building a Latinx Inclusive Mindfulness ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Building a More Diverse and Inclusive Science: Mindfulness-Based Approaches for Latinx Individuals

et al. 2022

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Objectives This article represents a call to action for the mindfulness field to be more diverse and inclusive of Latinx individuals. Building a diverse and inclusive science around mindfulness-based approaches (MBAs) that considers important group-level cultural and contextual information is an important public health challenge in need of innovative solutions. Methods We describe ways that the Latinx population is poised to benefit from MBAs. We further elucidate challenges, describe potential solutions, and outline a research agenda that may hold promise for building a more inclusive mindfulness movement. Results Our recommendations center around developing nuanced cultural adaptations to MBAs, engaging Latinx individuals in research, increasing the rigor of scientific studies pertaining to Latinx individuals, relying on implementation science to develop innovative methods for disseminating MBAs to Latinx individuals, developing training and certification mechanisms to increase diversity and representation of Latinx mindfulness teachers, and creating mechanisms for the oversight of MBAs within this group. Conclusions There has been a lack of inclusivity of Latinx individuals in the field of MBAs with regards to research studies, barriers to access for economically disadvantaged groups, and lack of diversity in its workforce. Considering the recognition of adverse social drivers of health that generate chronic stress and health disparities, the Latinx population is especially poised to benefit greatly from MBAs. A diverse and inclusive mindfulness science holds promise to enhance the effectiveness, acceptability, feasibility, and wide-scale dissemination and implementation of MBAs.

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“…Practicing mindfulness, such as meditation, is a self-care behavior in itself and has been demonstrated to reduce stress (Grossman et al, 2004;Janssen et al, 2018;Shapiro et al, 2007;Suleiman-Martos et al, 2020). Research has also highlighted the potential health benefits of practicing mindfulness for Black people (Biggers et al, 2020;Cotter & Jones, 2020;Palta et al, 2012). In fact, there is a recent increase in technology products that cater to the wellness needs of Black people.…”

Section: Self-care Skillsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reclaiming Self-care: Self-care as a Social Justice Tool for Black Wellness

Wyatt¹,

Ampadu

2021

Community Ment Health J

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Black communities face multiple stressors including racism, discrimination, and navigating systems of oppression, all of which affect their mental health and wellbeing. In recent years, the practice of self-care has gained popularity as a strategy to cope with stress and to improve overall health. However, the current discourse often focuses on individual self-care behaviors and excludes systemic and community level factors that encourage, sustain, or inhibit self-care practices. This paper contextualizes a conceptual model of self-care with intersectionality theory and the psychology of liberation framework, in relation to the lived experiences of Black communities. The paper aims to underscore the necessity of self and community care as a tool for social justice, preservation, and resistance against oppressive systems that threaten the mental health and wellness of this community.

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A Review of Latino/Latinx Participants in Mindfulness-Based Intervention Research

Cited by 25 publications

References 101 publications

Mindfulness Training for Primary Care for Portuguese-Speaking Immigrants: A Pilot Study

Mindfulness Training for Primary Care for Portuguese-Speaking Immigrants: A Pilot Study

Building a More Diverse and Inclusive Science: Mindfulness-Based Approaches for Latinx Individuals

Reclaiming Self-care: Self-care as a Social Justice Tool for Black Wellness

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