Culturally Targeted Video Improves Psychosocial Outcomes in Latina Women at Risk of Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

Latina women at risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) have lower awareness, knowledge, and use of genetic counseling and testing services (GCT) than non-Latina Whites. Few interventions have been developed to reduce these disparities among at-risk Latinas. This pilot study assessed the impact of a culturally targeted narrative video developed by our team. The study included 40 Latina immigrants living in the United States who were at risk of HBOC, including affected and unaffected women. We assessed pre-post differences in psychosocial outcomes. Participants were 47.35 years old on average (SD = 9.48). Most (70%) were unaffected with cancer, had an annual income of $40,000 or less (65%), an education of High School or less (62.5%), and were uninsured (77.5%). The video significantly enhanced knowledge (p < 0.001), positive attitudes (p < 0.05), anticipatory positive emotions (p < 0.05), and intentions to participate in counseling (p < 0.001). Importantly, the video also significantly reduced negative attitudes (p < 0.05), and attitudinal ambivalence (p < 0.001). The culturally targeted video shows preliminary evidence in improving psychosocial outcomes related to GCT uptake in Latinas at risk for HBOC. This intervention is a promising easily-disseminable strategy to address disparities in GCT utilization.

The importance of personalismo: Navigating obstacles in recruitment strategies for Spanish speakers in marginalized communities

“…One such delivery model is storytelling, which can be employed as a culturally tailored educational intervention method. Several studies have demonstrated the utility of video storytelling in Hispanic/Latinx communities (Baezconde‐Garbanati et al, 2014; Hurtado‐de‐Mendoza et al, 2019, 2020; Murphy et al, 2015). Determining the effectiveness of the method and delivery models of a storytelling intervention may aid researchers and healthcare providers in improved communication and health outcomes for their Spanish‐speaking patients.…”

The NYCKidSeq project: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial incorporating genomics into the clinical care of diverse New York City children

“…Other studies have explored the use of narrative educational tools for at-risk Latinas to improve psychosocial outcomes [19,20]. The vast majority of literature on genetic counseling interventions in diverse populations has focused mainly on cancer genetics [21], and there is a dearth of literature on barriers to communication in racially and ethnically diverse pediatric patient populations and their families.…”

A culturally targeted video to promote genetic counseling in a community sample of at‐risk US Latina women: The role of the concrete mindset

“…A single‐arm pilot test of the video was conducted with at‐risk Latinas in the United States. The results showed that the video improved cognitive and affective psychosocial outcomes, including attitudes and anticipatory emotions (Hurtado‐de‐Mendoza, Graves, Gómez‐Trillos, Carrera, et al, 2019; Hurtado‐de‐Mendoza, Graves, Gómez‐Trillos, Song, et al, 2020). The present research evaluates whether mindset (abstract or concrete) influences the positive psychosocial outcomes observed in Latinas after they watched a persuasive narrative message in the form of a culturally targeted video (Hurtado‐de‐Mendoza, Graves, Gómez‐Trillos, Song, et al, 2020).…”