Qu?date Tranquila: A Mobile, Web-based Stress Management Intervention for Hispanic Women - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
One in three Latinx report having extreme levels of stress and are more likely to say their stress has
increased in the past year. Stress in Hispanics has been linked to high rates of depression, higher
cardiovascular disease, and increased diabetes risk. High rates of stress and negative health outcomes among
Latinx may be the result of the unique stressors (i.e., acculturative and discrimination) they encounter, which
are not experienced by the general U.S. population. Indeed, acculturative stress and discrimination have been
linked to poor health outcomes. Moreover, Latinas experience greater perceived stress and negative
psychological outcomes compared to their male counters. Because Hispanic women have multiple social
identities (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status) that interact with different forms of systemic
oppression, this leads to higher levels of overall and cultural stress. Clearly defined gender-based roles are
integral to Latinx cultural and contribute to both acculturative and discrimination-related stress.
Both Cognitive-behavioral stress management interventions (CBSMi) and mindfulness meditation training
have demonstrated success in reducing stress among Hispanics. However, Hispanics lack access to quality
health care (including mental health services) and cultural values prevent them from seeking out services to
address their mental health needs. One emerging accessible and cost-effective solution is mHealth, yet, there is
a dearth of mHealth solutions that are developed specifically to address the stressors that Hispanics females
face. Therefore, we aim to develop Quédate Tranquila, a mobile CBSMi (m-CBSMi) for Hispanic women.
Quédate Tranquila will utilize theory (Transactional Model of Stress) to reduce affective, behavioral, and
physiological responses to stress and its downstream health consequences among Latinas. The m-CBSMi will
aim to foster and support healthy coping responses to stress by incorporating video testimonials, mobile tools
that provide additional social support, and interactive pages that incorporate quizzes and activities.
Community Action Corporation of South Texas will assist ISA in the recruitment of both healthcare service
providers and end-users (Latinas). Eight healthcare service providers will be recruited for a focus group
discussion to help shape the proposed intervention. Similarly, 32 Hispanic women will be recruited for
predevelopment focus group discussions. When the Quédate Tranquila prototype is completed, the same 32
target end-users will return for a pilot test that includes usability testing. The usability test will include a series
of tasks intended to highlight the different features of the proposed intervention. Three usability metrics will be
assessed: efficiency, accuracy, and subjective satisfaction. Lastly, participants will review and rate (using a five-
point scale) content satisfaction and intervention functionality of the prototype across 12 dimensions.
