Culturally Adapted Interventions for Anxiety and Trauma-Related Disorders in Marginalized Youth: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Treatment inequities persist among marginalized youth who experience anxiety and trauma-related disorders. Culturally adapted interventions show potential for improving outcomes for marginalized youth. However, it is unclear the extent to which they improve engagement and can be successfully implemented in practice settings. This systematic review characterizes adaptations to anxiety treatments and their effectiveness for treatment engagement, clinical, and implementation outcomes. Twelve articles met inclusion criteria. Adaptations most frequently altered treatment procedures, language, or content, and least frequently altered treatment approach or goals based on cultural conceptualizations of mental health. Most adaptations targeted racially or ethnically minoritized youth and did not target intersectionality. Adapted treatments were overall effective in reducing anxious distress, yet rigorous study designs were lacking. Engagement outcomes for adapted treatments were inconsistent, and implementation outcomes (e.g., feasibility, acceptability, fidelity) were rarely assessed. The current literature is promising yet inconclusive about the benefits of adapted treatments over standard protocols.

Keywords: Anxiety; Cultural adaptation; Trauma; Treatment; Youth.