Assessing the Cultural Appropriateness of UPLIFT for African Americans With Epilepsy: A Community Engaged Approach
Josalin Hunter-Jones, April Nellum, Elizabeth Olorundare, Candace McCloud, Matthew McCurdy, Robin E McGee, Contessa Davis, Nancy J Thompson, Rakale C Quarells
Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association January 15, 2021 DOI: 10.21633/jgpha.6.105 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | African American adults living with epilepsy or seizure disorder, their main support persons, and healthcare providers serving this community |
| Topics | Depression |
| Keywords | Epilepsy Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Telephone Community advisory board |
| Key findings | Formative feedback indicates that Project UPLIFT may be useful for African Americans with epilepsy. Healthcare providers reported that psychosocial concerns of African American persons with epilepsy seemed different from those of other racial groups and indicated UPLIFT might be useful; focus groups provided favorable feedback on the intervention. |
Abstract
Background: In trials of Project UPLIFT, a distance-delivered, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention, there was improvement in the mental health of people with epilepsy/seizure disorder. In these trials, however, African Americans have been few. Thus, as this program is disseminated, it is desirable to ensure that it is culturally appropriate for minority populations.
Methods: To determine the appropriateness of Project UPLIFT for African Americans, we engaged in three main research activities: 1) the formation and involvement of an epilepsy community advisory board; 2) qualitative interviews with healthcare providers who serve this community; and 3) focus groups with African American adults living with epilepsy or seizure disorder and main support persons of African American adults living with epilepsy or seizure disorder.
Results: The epilepsy community advisory board provided recommendations for the most appropriate language to use when engaging and recruiting the target population. Healthcare providers indicated that psychosocial concerns of African American persons living with epilepsy seemed to be different from those among patients of other racial groups. They indicated that Project UPLIFT might be useful for this group. Focus groups revealed experiences of living with and supporting someone with epilepsy and provided favorable feedback on the UPLIFT intervention.
Conclusions: Formative feedback indicates that Project UPLIFT may be useful for African Americans with epilepsy. These data will be used to guide a forthcoming randomized, controlled trial to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention with this group.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on depression, most cited first.