Culturally adapted cognitive‐behavior therapy: integrating sexual, spiritual, and family identities in an evidence‐based treatment of a depressed Latino adolescent

Abstract

The article described and illustrated how a culturally adapted cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can maintain fidelity to a treatment protocol while allowing for considerable flexibility to address a patient's values, preferences, and context. A manual-based CBT was used with a gay Latino adolescent regarding his sexual identity, family values, and spiritual ideas. The adolescent suffered from a major depression disorder and identified himself as gay and Christian within a conservative and machista Puerto Rican family. CBT promoted personal acceptance and active questioning of homophobic thoughts in a climate of family respect. CBT enabled identity formation and integration, central to the development of a sexual identity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, with remission of the patient's depression and better family outcomes.

Culturally Sensitive Intervention for Latina Women with Eating Disorders: A Case Study

“…The inclusion of cultural values has been documented to be critical in the treatment of depression (Duarte-Velez, Bernal, & Bonilla, 2010) and diabetes (Metghalchi, Rivera, Beeson, Firek, De Leon, & Balcazar, & Cordero-Macintyre, 2008) in the Latino population. Although evidence-based interventions developed and tested with Caucasian individuals may be appropriate for most ethnic minority individuals, the use of protocols or guidelines that consider culture and context combined with evidence-based care is likely to facilitate engagement in treatment and has the potential to enhance outcomes (Domenech Rodriguez, Baumann, & Schwartz, 2011; Miranda, Bernal, Lau, Kohn, Hwang, & La Framboise, 2005; Shea, Cachelin, Uribe, Striegel, Thompson, & Wilson, 2012).…”

Your blues ain't like mine: considering integrative antiracism in HIV prevention research with black men who have sex with men in Canada and the United States

“…; Duarte‐Velez et al. ). All three of these studies targeted racial/ethnic minority samples, yet only two focused on black MSM.…”

“…For example, the study by Duarte‐Velez et al. () addressed conflict between sexual and religious identities and used cognitive behavioral therapy to facilitate the client's gradual self‐identification of congruence between these two identities and contributed to the resolution of depressive symptoms. All three interventions were delivered via group formats and two (Wilton et al.…”

“…; Duarte‐Velez et al. ) were conducted with predominantly non‐white racial/ethnic minority samples. Only the study by Wilton et al.…”

Improvement in Depressive Symptoms Among Hispanic/Latinos Receiving a Culturally Tailored IMPACT and Problem-Solving Intervention in a Community Health Center

“…This is particularly relevant due to the strong familism or strong family bonds described in this ethnic group and the importance of adapting interventions to provide support and deliver treatment for different psychosocial stressors (Duarté-Vélez, Bernal, & Bonilla, 2010). Additionally, since this culturally adapted IMPACT and PST intervention is an ongoing program in the health center, our positive results show that this treatment approach does require replication as a randomized clinical trial.…”