Mindfulness and strength-based prevention for Latine families: A pilot randomized study.

Abstract

Mindfulness and strength-based prevention programs hold promise in building family and individual assets and providing buffering for Latine families facing adversity. However, their use and effectiveness for this population remains underresearched and warrants further study (Clarke et al., 2022). Latine families are disproportionately affected by stressors that impact mental and physical health outcomes (Nagy et al., 2022). Socioecological and family systems models help to underscore the influence of contextual factors and multiple levels of youth's social ecologies on mental health outcomes and ways to support resilience and positive youth trajectories. This mixed-methods study presents acceptability and preliminary effectiveness data on a brief child and caregiver resilience program (Honor, Educación, Respeto, Oportunidad, Esperanza, Soluciones), incorporating mindfulness and restorative practices. Codesigned with community partners, the program involved four sessions facilitated by promotores de salud (community health workers) and peer mentors. Participants included 42 Mexican origin youth and 39 Mexican immigrant female caregivers. Measures examined mindfulness and depression for youth and parenting stress for caregivers. The program demonstrated high acceptability, with 100% youth attendance and 95% caregiver attendance. Youth narrative responses revealed key themes about their motivations for practicing mindfulness and their perceptions of the practice on their socioemotional well-being. Mixed analysis of covariances show that, postsurvey, youth in Honor, Educación, Respeto, Oportunidad, Esperanza, Soluciones reported less depression and caregivers reported decreased parenting stress compared to the waitlist control group (p < .05). Results highlight the importance of considering relational and contextual elements that may impact Latine youth and families across socioecological levels. Clinical and research implications for mindfulness and strength-based, culturally relevant prevention efforts will be discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).