DIFFERENTIAL FACTORS INFLUENCING HISPANIC/LATINX ADOLESCENT ENGAGEMENT IN MIND-BODY SKILLS GROUPS FOR DEPRESSION

Abstract

Major Depressive\nDisorder is a prevalent and pervasive problem in the United States, and this\nmental disorder disproportionately affects adolescents of color. In particular,\nthere is little research understanding how Hispanic/Latinx adolescents utilize\nand engage with mental health services, such as psychotherapy, to reduce their\nsymptoms of depression, including factors that are positively and negatively\nrelated to engagement. As such, the aims of this study were to understand\nwhether there were any relationships between presenting characteristics of adolescents\nseeking therapy for depression and their subsequent engagement with therapeutic\nservices, with a focus on analyses examining trends in Hispanic/Latinx\nadolescents. To investigate these aims, we utilized data from a pilot study in\nwhich adolescents (n=42) received a mind-body intervention for depression\ncalled Mind-Body Skills Groups. We examined possible relationships between\ndepression severity, age, Hispanic/Latinx background, and their interactions\nwith engagement, as measured by attendance rates, self-reported motivation, and\nat-home skills practice. We hypothesized that high depression severity, high\nage, and being Hispanic/Latinx would all negatively influence engagement; we\nalso hypothesized the depression-engagement and age-engagement relationships would\nbe moderated by Hispanic/Latinx background. Results revealed initial relationships between\nlower age and being Hispanic/Latinx with higher attendance rates; depression\nseverity was not related to attendance. When these relationships were further\nanalyzed using hierarchical regression, no significant relationships between\npredictor and outcomes variables, as well as their interactions, were\ndiscovered. In an exploratory analysis investigating factors of adolescent\ndepression using subscales, greater interpersonal problems predicted higher\nattendance rates. Results are interpreted relative to limitations of the small\nsample size and possible measurement concerns within this study, including a\ndiscussion of possible ways to improve related studies on Hispanic/Latinx youth\nin the future.