Evaluation of the Feasibility of a Yoga and Mindfulness-Based Mental Health Intervention for Latina Immigrant Mothers

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Latina immigrant mothers are at increased risk for poor mental health due to significant economic, social, and cultural challenges of caregiving throughout the process of migration and resettlement. Over recent years, mindfulness has become a popular framework for mental health interventions in varied community settings. Yoga and mindfulness modules were developed for the existing Amigas Latinas Motivando El Alma (ALMA) program to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and parenting-related stress among Latinas. This project evaluated the feasibility of the new modules among a community sample of 24 Latina immigrant mothers in Seattle using a mixed methods approach. Findings suggest the program was successful in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and indicate the participants’ overall satisfaction with session content. Further evaluation is needed to test the feasibility among a larger, more diverse sample. Future research should address the need for more culturally specific measures to assess mental health outcomes among this population.