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Culturally relevant acceptance-based telehealth wellness program for Latine adults who smoke and experience psychological distress: Findings from a feasibility study

Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (JCBS)
Volume 32, April 2024

Authors

Virmarie Correa-Fernandez, Nilofar Tavakoli, Marshall Motsenbocker, Hanjoe Kim, David W. Wetter, Janice A. Blalock, Glorisa Canino, Megan E. Piper

Abstract

Latine adults who smoke have a low probability of receiving evidence-based smoking cessation interventions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has shown to be efficacious for treating tobacco dependence, but its usefulness for Latine populations is just emerging and has not been studied in the context of a culturally tailored treatment. This single-arm study evaluated the feasibility of recruitment and retention, and treatment acceptability of the PRESENT Wellness Program: a culturally relevant ACT-based smoking cessation treatment for Latine adults who also experience psychological distress. Secondary objectives were the examination of smoking rates and levels of depression, anxiety, and psychological inflexibility (ACT core target) among Latine adults. Taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic, the treatment entailed 8 sessions delivered via telehealth (1 in-person/video and 7 by phone), and nicotine patches. Participants (N = 23) completed baseline assessments and follow-ups 1-week post-end of treatment (EOT) and 2-months post EOT. Most participants were women (70%), ranging from young adult to middle-aged, born in the US (57%), working full time (52.2%), and reporting financial strain (70%). Average number of sessions completed was 5.5. Follow-up rates were 61% at both follow-ups. The program was acceptable as indicated by quantitative and qualitative measures. Point-prevalence smoking abstinence was 35% at both follow-ups. Participants reported an average decline across time [% or M(SD)] in all secondary measures, as follows: everyday smoking [Baseline = 87%; 1-wk post EOT = 13%; 2 mo post EOT = 8.7%]; depression [Baseline = 13.7(6.3); 1-wk post EOT = 9.9 (6.6); 2 mo post EOT = 7.4 (5.8)]; anxiety [Baseline = 12.7 (5.4); 1-wk post EOT = 9.7 (6.4); 2 mo post EOT = 8.1 (5.2)]; and psychological inflexibility [Baseline = 50.6 (7.2); 1-wk post EOT = 33.0 (10.7); 2 mo post EOT = 32.6 (12.4)].

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