Current Projects
Motivación pero no presión – Latino men’s perspectives about counseling and family role on smoking cessation ​
Latine adults and individuals with behavioral health challenges experience tobacco-related disparities associated with cessation treatment and have a lower probability of receiving evidence-based smoking cessation interventions. ​
Compared to women, Latino men smoke tobacco at higher rates, but less is known about their engagement in cessation treatment and their perceptions of support to quit. ​
This study aimed to examine the perspectives of Latino men who smoke and have depression or anxiety symptoms on the role of counseling and family members’ support during their quitting process.
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Perspectives on culturally relevant Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based smoking cessation intervention among Latinx smokers with depression and anxiety: A qualitative inquiry
Project PERSPECTIVE/Proyecto PERSPECTIVAS: This qualitative study seeks to inform the development of a culturally-relevant smoking cessation intervention for Latinx individuals with depression and anxiety symptoms, and that is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Project status: Closed for recruitment and screening is complete
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based Wellness Program for Latinx who Smoke
Project PRESENT: This project aims to adapt and test a version of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) that is culturally appropriate for Latinx smokers experiencing symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. The objective of ACT is to develop psychological flexibility in clients by strengthening their ability to experience uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, and sensations, and choosing health behaviors consistent with their values and goals (e.g., quitting smoking to improve health or being a good example for their children). The study aims to address the health disparities that Latinx experience regarding smoking and mental health through this targeted intervention.
Project status: closed for recruitment.
Linguistic adaptation of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Based Smoking Cessation Intervention for Spanish-speaking Latinx
The objective of this study is to conduct the translation/adaptation of intervention-related materials utilized in project PRESENT, so the intervention can be tested in a Spanish-speaking diverse sample in a near future.
Steps of this project included:
1) Identification of professional translator
2) Translation of intervention materials and core self-report measures from English to Spanish
3) Recruitment of panel of community experts, including the priority population
4) Linguistic validation and adaptation of the Spanish study materials
Multiple Health Behaviors and Psychosocial Factors in an Ethnically Diverse
Project PRACTICES: The goal of this study is to examine health behavior practices (e.g. smoking, alcohol use, exercise) and their associations with psychosocial factors, such as stress, depression, acculturation, coping skills, and social support among college students. This study (conducted through an online survey) aimed to provide insights regarding individual, social and contextual factors that may be significantly related to healthy and unhealthy behaviors. This data may inform future development of wellness programs that target specific health behaviors and the factors contributing to it.