Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA): an Evaluation of a Mindfulness Intervention to Promote Mental Health among Latina Immigrant Mothers.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the feasibility and potential efficacy of a mindfulness-based intervention (ALMA) in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among Latina immigrants.
Results Summary
The study found that participants were satisfied with the mindfulness sessions and used the strategies in daily life. The intervention reduced mean depression scores by 19% and anxiety scores by 26%.
Population
Latina immigrants at risk for poor mental health.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA) | decrease | symptoms of depression | Latina immigrants | 19% reduction in mean depression scores | reduced | #1 |
Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA) | decrease | symptoms of anxiety | Latina immigrants | 26% reduction in mean anxiety scores | reduced | #2 |
mindfulness | decrease | stress | - | - | reduce | #3 |
mindfulness | increase | mental health | - | - | improve | #4 |
Latina immigrants are at increased risk for poor mental health. Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA) is a group-based intervention to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among Latina immigrants. Based on participants' feedback and growing evidence supporting mindfulness as a way to reduce stress and improve mental health, additional sessions of the ALMA intervention were developed and pilot tested to provide more training on mindfulness as a coping strategy. The feasibility and potential efficacy were evaluated in a community sample using a pre- and post-test study design. Findings suggested that women were satisfied with the sessions and used mindfulness strategies they learned in their daily lives. The program also reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety (19% reduction in mean depression scores and 26% reduction in mean anxiety scores). Further evaluation is needed to test the efficacy of the intervention.