A Multilevel Mental Health Intervention with Latine Newcomers: The Feasibility and Mixed Methods Results of a Community-Based Participatory Pilot Study

Abstract

Latine immigrants in the U.S. face discrimination, a lack of access to resources, fear of deportation, family separation, and a lack of understanding of the complex factors that have led them to seek safety and survival in a new country, factors that critically impact their mental health. Academic and community partners implemented the Immigrant Well-Being Project (IWP), a mental health intervention that partners community-based organizations (CBOs) and universities to bring Latine immigrants and university students together to engage in mutual learning and social change efforts. We assessed the feasibility of the IWP model and preliminary outcomes from a pilot implementation with three cohorts of Latine immigrant adults (N = 54) between 2018 and 2021. Employing a within-group longitudinal, mixed-methods design with qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys over 12 months (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up), we examined engagement and the impact of the 6-month intervention, as well as explored feasibility/acceptability and participants’ experiences. Multilevel growth modeling revealed significant decreases in depression and anxiety symptoms and difficulty accessing resources, with dosage and cohort significantly moderating intervention effects on these variables. Some cohorts also experienced significant decreases in PTSD symptoms and increases in satisfaction with resources. Qualitative results revealed that having student and CBO support navigating services positively impacted mental health, which highlights the importance of connecting immigrants to existing community resources. Findings are discussed in the context of COVID-19 and hostile immigration policies, emphasizing the importance of addressing social–structural determinants of mental health for immigrants.