Promoting mental health in Latina immigrant women: Results from the Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma intervention trial

Abstract

Introduction: Latina immigrants are at increased risk of depression and anxiety and limited access to mental health care. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA), a community-based intervention to reduce stress and promote mental health among Latina immigrants.

Methods: ALMA was evaluated using a delayed intervention comparison group study design. Latina immigrants (N = 226) were recruited from community organizations in King County, Washington from 2018 to 2021. Although originally developed to be delivered in-person, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the intervention was adapted mid-study to be delivered online. Participants completed surveys to assess changes in depression and anxiety post-intervention and at a two-month follow-up. We estimated generalized estimating equation models to assess differences in outcomes across groups, including stratified models for those receiving the intervention in-person or online.

Results: In adjusted models, participants in the intervention group had lower levels of depressive symptoms than the comparison group post-intervention (β = -1.82, p = 0.01) and at two-month follow-up (β = -1.52, p = 0.01). Anxiety scores decreased for both groups, and there were no significant differences post-intervention or at follow-up. In stratified models, participants in the online intervention group had lower levels of depressive (β = -2.50, p = 0.007) and anxiety (β = -1.86, p = 0.02) symptoms than those in the comparison group, but there were no significant differences among those that received the intervention in-person.

Conclusions: Community-based interventions can be effective in preventing and reducing depressive symptoms among Latina immigrant women, even when delivered online. Further research should evaluate the ALMA intervention among larger more diverse Latina immigrant populations.

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Immigrant; Intervention; Latina; Mental health; Women's health.

Fig. 1.

Flow diagram of ALMA study participant enrollment, participation, and retention.

Fig. 2.

Mean participant depression scores for intervention and comparison groups at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up, N=226.

Fig. 3.

Mean participant anxiety scores for intervention and comparison groups at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up, N=226.

Fig. 4.

Mean participant depression scores for in-person and online intervention and comparison groups at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up.

Fig. 5.

Mean participant anxiety scores for in-person and online intervention and comparison groups at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up.