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Primary Submission Category: Mental health/function

Exploring the Impact of Social Determinants of Health on a Promotora-led Preventive Mental Health Intervention Among Latines: The Stay Connected Los Angeles Intervention

Authors:  Edward Chauca, Lourde Baezconde-Garbanati, Kayla De la Haye, Rosa Barahona,

Presenting Author: Edward Chauca*

Background:

Promotora-led preventive mental health interventions have shown effectiveness across a range of mental health outcomes among Latine communities. A major characteristic of these interventions is their adaptability to the needs of their target community, thanks to being community-engaged and culturally sensitive. However, more research is needed to discern whether there are subgroups who benefit more from these interventions than others.

Research question:

To explore which subgroups might benefit more from these interventions, we examine how social determinants interact with a promotora-led preventive mental health intervention. We use data from the Stay Connected Los Angeles (SCLA) intervention, a campaign focused on mitigating the impact of COVID-19 among Latines in Los Angeles, 2020-2022.

Significance:

The increasing implementation of these programs in community and clinical settings requires a deeper understanding of the social and structural determinants that affect them in order to maintain their effectiveness in bigger settings and with multiple populations.

Methods:

SCLA consisted of a 6-week promotora-led intervention with a mental health component. Participants (n=58) completed pre- and post-intervention surveys. The mental wellbeing outcomes are (1) PROMIS mental health score, (2) loneliness, (3) hyperarousal (impact of events), and (4) limitations due to emotional problems. To assess the interaction between social determinants and the SCLA intervention, we use mixed-effects models.

Results:

Loneliness, hyperarousal, and limitations due to emotional problems show significance in the pre-post analysis. PROMIS mental health score shows significance among participants living in the U.S. for less than 20 years. Hyperarousal shows significance among participants living in a household where the number of members was altered during the pandemic. Education and food security also show significant interactions with loneliness.