Culturally Centered Psychosocial Interventions.

Over the last few decades, psychologists and other health professionals have called attention to the importance of considering cultural and ethnic-minority aspects in any psychosocial interventions. Although, at present, there are published guidelines on the practice of culturally competent psychology, there is still a lack of practical information about how to carry out appropriate interventions with specific populations of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. In this article, the authors review relevant literature concerning the consideration of cultural issues in psychosocial interventions.

Can Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Be Optimized With Parent Psychoeducation? A Randomized Effectiveness Trial of Adolescents With Major Depression in Puerto Rico.

This is a longitudinal randomized control trial on the impact of adding a parent psychoeducation intervention (TEPSI) as part of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in a Puerto Rican sample. We tested the efficacy of adding 8 group sessions of TEPSI to 12 sessions of individual CBT on reducing depressive symptoms, MDD diagnosis, and improving family functioning. Participants (n = 121) were randomized to individual CBT with or without TEPSI.

Boricua de pura cepa: Ethnic identity, cultural stress and self-concept in Puerto Rican youth.

Objectives: The available literature on ethnic identity among Puerto Ricans has focused on those living in the United States, with little to no attention placed on examining ethnic identity and psychological constructs among youth living in Puerto Rico. Using a colonial mentality framework, the current study examined the associations between ethnic identity, cultural stress, and self-concept among adolescent boys and girls living in Puerto Rico.

Method: The current cross-sectional study surveyed participants (N = 187) recruited from several junior high schools in the metropolitan area in Puerto Rico.

Research Program on Type 1 Diabetes and Youth Depression in Puerto Rico.

This work reviews the progress and current state of a research program on Diabetes and youth depression in Puerto Rico. Given the high depression rate, its impact in youth with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), and the lack of interventions to target this link in an integrative way, the manual titled Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Depression in Adolescents with T1D was developed. After its first use in an Open Trial, we currently assess the initial efficacy of its revised version to reduce depression and improve glycemic control, self-care, and quality of life.

Association between obesity and symptoms of depression of adults in Puerto Rico.

Objective: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of overweight; of class 1 and class 2/3 obesity; and of the symptoms of depression in adults in Puerto Rico. The study also evaluated the relationship between the symptoms of depression and weight status.

Methods: The sample for this study consists of 6,025 adults (3,851 females and 2,174 males) who lived in Puerto Rico at the time of and who participated in either the 2006 or the 2010 BRFSS.