Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA): Increasing Mindfulness and Social Support to Reduce Depression and Anxiety in Latina Immigrant Women
India J. Ornelas, A. K. Nelson, Cynthia J. Price, S. A. Pérez-Solorio, Deepa Rao, Kwun C. G. Chan
Mindfulness May 28, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-025-02602-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Secondary analysis of a trial with a delayed-intervention comparison group Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 226 |
| Population | Latina immigrant women recruited from local organizations in King County, WA |
| Interventions | Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA) intervention mindfulness social support |
| Duration | Post-intervention and 2-month follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | The ALMA intervention was associated with decreased depression and anxiety scores post-intervention and at 2-month follow-up. Mindfulness and social support mediated these effects: for depression, through increased self-compassion and reduced social isolation with enhanced supportive networks; for anxiety, through increased self-compassion and reduced social isolation. The authors argue community-based group interventions increasing mindfulness and social support can improve mental health among Latina immigrant women. |
Abstract
Our study sought to evaluate whether increased mindfulness and social support mediated the effect of the Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA) intervention on depression and anxiety among Latina immigrant women. The study was a secondary analysis of data from a trial evaluating the ALMA intervention with a delayed-intervention comparison group design. Latina immigrants (n = 226) were recruited from local organizations in King County, WA, to participate in an intervention delivered by trained facilitators within community-based settings. The program integrated strategies to increase mindfulness and social support, was delivered in Spanish, and incorporated aspects of Latino culture. Participants completed surveys to assess mindfulness, social support, depression, and anxiety at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 2-month follow-up. We used multiple mediation models to test for mediation. Intervention group participants reported decreased depression and anxiety scores post-intervention and at the 2-month follow-up. Mindfulness and social support mediated the effect of the intervention on both depression and anxiety. For depression, mindfulness mediated the effect through increased self-compassion, while social support mediated the effect through reduced social isolation and enhanced supportive networks. Results for anxiety indicated that increased self-compassion and reduced social isolation were the significant mediators. Community-based group interventions that increase mindfulness and social support can improve mental health outcomes among Latina immigrant women. Further research should evaluate the impact of mindfulness-based interventions in Latino communities.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 10
- Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica April 28, 2011
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction as a Stress Management Intervention for Healthy Individuals Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine July 22, 2014
- A Scoping Review of Culturally Adapted Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Communities of Color. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine February 1, 2025
- Feasibility of Implementing a Mindfulness-Based Online Program for Latina Immigrants and the Staff that Work with Them Mindfulness May 1, 2023
- Mindfulness for Global Public Health: Critical Analysis and Agenda Mindfulness March 1, 2025
and 5 more in the library