Online Program

329191
Cultural adaptation of an evidence-based depression intervention for faith based communities in the rural Arkansas Delta


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Nakita Lovelady, MPH, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, Health Behavior and Health Education Department, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
TIffany Haynes, PhD, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Stephanie Williams, MPH, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, Health Behavior and Health Education Department, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Karen Yeary, PhD, Health Behavior and Health Education Department, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Kimberly Harris, PhD, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Jerome Turner, MDiv, Boys Girls Adult Community Development Center, Marvell, AR
Johnny Smith, Shiloh Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, AR
Dennis Kuo, MD, MHS, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Keneshia Bryant, PhD, RN, APN, College of Nursing & College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Studies, Little Rock, AR
Mary Kathryn Stewart, MD, MPH, Department of Health Policy and Management, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Songthip Ounpraseuth, PhD, Fay W. Boozman COPH, Biostatistics, Univ. of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Issue

Recent estimates indicate that 20-30% of African Americans in the Arkansas Delta screen positive for Depression, higher than estimates of 4-10% found in similar studies among African Americans. Devising culturally appropriate, informal ways to address depression in these communities is important, as formal treatment is underutilized.  African American churches are promising avenues, because of their historical importance and strong influence.

Description

UAMS academics partnered with two county-wide networks in the Arkansas Delta (Faith Task Forces) dedicated to improving the health of faith communities and the wider communities they serve. Formative research conducted in this population along with established literature suggests that attempts to address depression should:  1) draw on faith beliefs to cope with common stressors (i.e. racism and unemployment) and 2) be offered in community settings by community members instead of clinical settings. Based on these recommendations, we chose Culturally Enhanced Behavioral Activation (CEBA), an evidence-based depression intervention, as our foundation.  Academics developed prototypes for the Faith Task Forces to review for cultural appropriateness. Continuous meetings were held to incorporate feedback, reach final decisions on cultural elements, and ensure consistency and appropriate health literacy levels.

Lessons Learned

The collaborative process resulted in a multi-level faith-based depression intervention, comprising of 8 skill-building group sessions and broader church-sponsored activities that promote social connectedness and depression awareness.

Recommendations

Recommendations to ensure cultural adaptation and community buy-in include: 1) frequent communication, 2) maximizing on various expertise, 3) critical discussion on conflicting cultural elements, and 4) plans for continuous feedback while piloting intervention.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe details of a culturally appropriate, faith-based depression intervention for African Americans in the rural Arkansas Delta. Articulate key elements of the process for transforming an evidence-based, mental health professional-led treatment intervention into a lay health leader-led, faith-based intervention.

Keyword(s): Faith Community, Depression

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a doctoral student in the Health Promotion and Prevention Research Program at UAMS. My research interests focus on addressing mental health disparities by developing community based interventions. Through mentored research experience, I played a critical role in the cultural adaptation of the depression intervention discussed in this abstract. Additionally, I have years of experience facilitating and building community based partnerships for various research projects across the university.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.