Project Wings, a Coping Intervention for Latina Adolescents

Abstract

The authors examined the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of Project Wings Girls' Groups, a school-based mental health promotion program designed to improve well-being in Latina adolescents, as observed in outcomes, including perceived stress, depressive symptoms, coping, and connectedness. This pilot randomized controlled trial compared outcomes over 9 months postintervention for 42 9th and 10th grade adolescents attending two urban high schools. Girls were randomized to Project Wings Girls' Groups, a 16-session facilitated curriculum, including sharing circles, mind-body exercises, and coping skills building or the attention control (i.e., similar format but focused on general health topics). Feasibility of retention and long-term follow-up data collection was demonstrated, with lessons learned for future study. Although not statistically powered, this trial demonstrated findings in the expected direction, including reduced perceived stress and depression and increased connectedness. A trial with sufficient power is warranted to examine Project Wings' effects on mental health problems among Latina adolescents.

Effectiveness of Universal School‐Based Mental Health Awareness Programs Among Youth in the United States: A Systematic Review

“…After title/abstract review, 36 were selected for full article review. After full review of these articles, 25 were eliminated because they did not meet the inclusion criteria that had been established for this systematic review. After reference lists of relevant articles were searched, an additional 3 articles were selected to be part of the review.…”

Latina Adolescent Sleep and Mood: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Pilot Study

“…Nevertheless, nurses should seek to understand the stressors and factors in the lives of an adolescent that are contributing to an adolescent having a negative mood. Existing adolescent health literature emphasizes the importance of healthy stress response and coping behaviors (Garcia, Pintor, Vazquez, & Alvarez‐Zumarraga, ); clinicians should help adolescents recognize their primary coping strategies and offer tools that strengthen positive coping. This has potential to minimize negative mood and indirectly encourage sleep quality.…”

Life Is Precious: Views of Adolescents and Their Mothers on Methods to Reduce Suicidal Behavior in Latinas

“…No treatments on the current suicide prevention best practices registries are specifically targeted to the unique needs of this population (Suicide Prevention Resource Center, 2017). One school-based program operating in two Minnesota schools, Project Wings, is specifically targeted to Latinas and offers a series of activities to help students cope with stress; feasibility trials have found reduced stress and depression among participants (Garcia, Pintor, Vazquez, & Alvarez-Zumarraga, 2013). …”