A Multi-Method Evaluation of an 8-Week Culturally Grounded, Community-Based Mindfulness Program for the Latino Immigrant Population in the United States

A mixed-methods evaluation of an 8-week culturally grounded, community-based mindfulness program for Latino immigrants in the U.S. found improvements in resilience, perceived stress, mindfulness, and sleep. Quantitative surveys (n=17) showed statistically significant gains in resilience, lower perceived stress, higher mindfulness, and better insomnia ratings, but not in acculturative stress or sleepiness. Sound sleep increased by 18%. Qualitative focus groups with 29 former participants identified barriers (competing priorities, technology, transportation), benefits (mental, physical, social, spiritual), content delivery factors, and mindfulness skills. The authors suggest such programs, when culturally adapted and trauma-sensitive, can reduce stress and improve wellbeing for Spanish-speaking immigrants.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This mixed methods study assessed the benefits, barriers, and facilitators to participation in an 8-week culturally grounded, community-based mindfulness program for the Latino immigrant population in the United States. The program was aimed at reducing levels of stress and improving wellbeing and sleep outcomes. In collaboration with a community-based organization, we conducted six focus groups via Zoom, involving a total of 29 former participants of the mindfulness program. For the qualitative analysis, we performed deductive analysis using Dedoose among 29 participants (17 in the first cohort and 12 in the second one). For the quantitative analysis, surveys assessed baseline and post-intervention measures of resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale - CD Risk 10 Scale), generalized stress (Perceived Stress Scale), acculturative stress (National Latino Asian American Study), trait mindfulness (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale), and sleep outcomes (Women's Health Initiative Insomnia Rating Scale; Epworth Sleepiness Scale) (n=17). Using a paired two sample t-test for means, we assessed the significance of the quantitative analysis before and after participation in the program. All quantitative outcomes except for acculturative stress and the sleepiness scale showed to be statistically significant. Participants reported higher levels of resiliency, lower perceived stress and higher mindfulness awareness. The number of participants experiencing sound sleep increased by 18%. We identified four major categories, themes and sub-themes: 1. Barriers (Competing Priorities, Technology Limitations, Transportation), 2. Benefits (Mental Health, Physical Health (Sleep), Social Connection (Interpersonal Communication, Sharing in Community, Cultural Connection), Spiritual Health, 3. Content Delivery (Course Facilitators, Course Structure/Feedback (Location and Time, Virtual Option, Recommendation to Others), Content Learning (General Content, Language, Pacing of Course), and 4. Mindfulness Skills (Applied Mindfulness) and Learning/Knowledge (Immigration Trauma and Cultural Understanding of Mental Health). Our findings demonstrate that community-based mindfulness programs present a potential opportunity for reducing stress in general and improving health and resiliency as well as sleep. When developed in a culturally grounded manner and with a trauma sensitive framework, they can be effectively delivered providing the added advantage of being accessible to Spanish-speaking individuals.