5 - (SYM 54) User Perceptions of a Culturally Tailored Digital Cognitive Bias Modification for Interpretation Program for Anxious Hispanic Individuals

Introduction: Anxiety is highly prevalent among Hispanic individuals in the U.S., yet only 10% of Hispanics receive any mental health care. Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) may help overcome barriers to care (e.g., cost, mental health stigma, lack of Spanish-speaking providers). However, few DMHIs offer Spanish operability and fewer are adapted to match users’ cultural values and experiences, often reducing user engagement. The present study focuses on user perceptions of a translated and culturally tailored app-based intervention for anxious Hispanic individuals, MindTrails Español, adapted from the cognitive bias modification for interpretation (CBM-I) program MindTrails. CBM-I aims to foster cognitive flexibility by training users to reduce the rigid negative thinking style common in anxiety and increase benign interpretations of ambiguous scenarios.

Methods: An initial version of MindTrails Español was developed based on user feedback from a previous study with Spanish-speakers moderate-to-high in anxiety symptoms. Adaptations included adding culturally relevant scenarios, visuals (e.g., images of Hispanic adults), and motivational sayings (“dichos”). Qualitative data was collected through virtual semi-structured interviews with N=10 participants (M_age = 37 years, range = 21-67 years; 90% women; 20% White; 20% Native American/Alaska Native; 50% Other/Prefer not to respond) primarily living in the U.S. Participants were given ~1 week to familiarize themselves with the app. Data was analyzed thematically using an inductive framework.

Results: Preliminary analyses revealed several emerging themes: Effectiveness of the Training Program, which encompasses not only the intervention’s target (cognitive flexibility) but also an enhanced understanding of oneself in terms of anxiety triggers and discriminatory experiences; Relevance of the Training Program, with positive responses balanced by ideas for additional scenario topics (e.g., immigrant experience, English as a second language, religiosity) and concern over the generalizability of material across Latin American cultures; Barriers to Use; and Suggestions for Addressing Experiences of Discrimination.

Conclusions: Early findings indicate positive impressions of MindTrails Español and reveal potential enhancements to better address the needs of diverse Hispanic individuals with anxiety. 

Limitations: The study was limited by a small sample size and relatively short usage time of the app.