This post offers a curated list of articles toolkits, white papers, and other resources that offer how cultural adaptations of evidence-based practices is critical to ensure relevance and effectiveness across marginalized populations. Click on the toggle for any reference to view a brief summary of the document, its source, and an active link for access.
Bernal, G., Jiménez-Chafey, M. I., & Domenech Rodríguez, M. M. (2009). Cultural adaptation of treatments: A resource for considering culture in evidence-based practice
Abstract: There is a growing interest in whether and how to adapt psychotherapies to take into account the cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic context of diverse ethnocultural groups. At the root of the debate is the issue of whether evidence-based treatments (EBTs) developed within a particular linguistic and cultural context are appropriate for ethnocultural groups that do not share the same language, cultural values, or both. There is considerable evidence that culture and context influence almost every aspect of the diagnostic and treatment process. Yet, there are concerns about fidelity of interventions, and some have questioned whether tinkering with well-established EBTs is warranted. We present arguments in favor of the cultural compatibility and universalistic hypotheses. Next, we review the available published frameworks for cultural adaptations of EBTs and offer examples from the literature on the process and outcome of different approaches used. Conceptual models for adapting existing interventions and emerging evidence that adapted intervention leads to positive outcomes suggest that there are tools for engaging in evidence-based psychological practices with ethnocultural youth. Recommendations for future directions are provided.
Bernal, G., Jiménez-Chafey, M. I., & Domenech Rodríguez, M. M. (2009). Cultural adaptation of treatments: A resource for considering culture in evidence-based practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 40(4), 361–368. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016401
Hall, G. C., Ibaraki, A. Y., Huang, E. R., Marti, C. N., & Stice, E. (2016). A meta-analysis of cultural adaptations of psychological interventions
Abstract: Forehand and Kotchick (1996) issued a wake-up call to the field to develop culturally responsive interventions. Since that time, 11 meta-analyses on culturally adapted interventions have been conducted. To reconcile the differences of the previous meta- analyses, a new meta-analysis was conducted that included 13,998 participants, 95% of whom were non-European American, in 78 studies evaluating culturally adapted interventions with psychopathology outcomes. Using a random effects multilevel regression model, the overall effect size (g = 0.67, p < .001) favored the effectiveness of culturally adapted interventions over other conditions (no intervention, other interventions). There was a medium effect size favoring the effectiveness of culturally adapted interventions over unadapted versions of the same intervention (g = .52). The overall effect size was moderated by whether the study involved treatment (g = .76) vs. prevention (g = .25, p = .03) and whether the study involved specific measures of mood or anxiety symptoms (g = .76) vs. general measures of psychopathology (g = .48, p = .02). Culturally adapted interventions had 4.68 times greater odds than other conditions to produce remission from psychopathology (p < .001) in 16 studies that reported remission. There were greater effects in no intervention control designs (marginal odds ratio = 9.80) than in manualized intervention (marginal odds ratio = 3.47, p = .03) or another active, nonmanualized intervention (marginal odds ratio = 3.38, p = .04) comparison designs in remission studies. Research has yet to adequately investigate whether culturally adapted or unadapted interventions impact culture-specific psychopathology. These findings indicate a continuing need for rigor in the conceptualization and measurement of culture- specific psychopathology and in developing culturally responsive interventions.
Hall, G. C., Ibaraki, A. Y., Huang, E. R., Marti, C. N., & Stice, E. (2016). A meta-analysis of cultural adaptations of psychological interventions. Behavior Therapy, 47(6), 993–1014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2016.09.005
Hida, R. M., & Hamoda, H. M. (2024). Caring for Muslim children and families in health care settings: Considerations and recommendations for pediatric psychologists
Abstract – Objective: This article explores the intersection of Islamic beliefs and pediatric psychology, proposes theoretical frameworks for understanding Muslim patients’ and families’ religious and spiritual needs, reviews religiously integrated assessments and interventions, and provides practical and actionable recommendations for pediatric psychologists interested in integrating religion and spirituality into their work generally and with Muslim patients and families specifically. Tenets of the faith are linked to factors such as religious coping and treatment adherence. Method: This topical review utilizes a systematic and explorative approach to identify and synthesize existing literature on this topic. Results: Research on addressing the religious and spiritual needs of Muslim pediatric populations is lacking; however, research shows religious coping is significantly associated with positive health outcomes. In recent decades, researchers have adapted therapeutic modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to Muslim patients’ needs, and Muslim researchers have developed Islamically based frameworks for psychology and psychotherapy. Conclusions: This article highlights the need for culturally informed and religiously integrated intervention within pediatric psychology.
Hida, R. M., & Hamoda, H. M. (2024). Caring for Muslim children and families in health care settings: Considerations and recommendations for pediatric psychologists. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 12(4), 430-441. https://doi.org/10.1037/cpp0000539
Okoniewski, W., Sundaram, M., Chaves-Gnecco, D., McAnany, K., Cowden, J. D., & Ragavan, M. (2022). Culturally sensitive interventions in pediatric primary care settings: A systematic review
Abstract – Context: Culturally sensitive interventions in the pediatric primary care setting may help reduce health disparities. Less is known on the development of these interventions, their target groups, and their feasibility, acceptability, and impact on health outcomes. Objective: We conducted a systematic review to describe culturally sensitive interventions developed for the pediatric primary care setting. Data sources: PubMed, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycInfo (January 2000 to July 2020). Study selection: Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were (1) original research on an intervention with an evaluation, (2) within a pediatric primary care setting, (3) not limited to education for providers, (4) not limited to interpreter use, and (5) based in the United States. Data extraction: The following were extracted: study topic, study design, intervention, cultural sensitivity strategies and terminology, setting, target group, sample size, feasibility, acceptability, and health outcomes. Results: Twenty-five studies described 23 interventions targeting a variety of health topics. Multiple cultural sensitivity strategies were used, most commonly sociocultural (83%). Most interventions (57%) were focused on Hispanic/Latino families. Interventions were generally reported as being feasible and acceptable; some also changed health outcomes. Limitations: Small samples and heterogenous methods subject to bias were used. Relevant articles may have been missed because of the variety of terms used to describe cultural sensitivity. Conclusions: The included articles provide preliminary evidence that culturally sensitive interventions can be feasible and effective and may help eliminate disparities for patients from communities with barriers to equitable care.
Okoniewski, W., Sundaram, M., Chaves-Gnecco, D., McAnany, K., Cowden, J. D., & Ragavan, M. (2022). Culturally sensitive interventions in pediatric primary care settings: A systematic review. Pediatrics, 149(2), e2021052162. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2021-052162
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2022). Adapting Evidence-Based Practices for Under-Resourced Populations
Overview: This guide focuses on research supporting adaptations of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for under-resourced populations. Adaptations involve tailoring care, programs, and services to the cultural, social, gender, and demographic contexts of the people served to yield positive outcomes.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2022). Adapting Evidence-Based Practices for Under-Resourced Populations. SAMHSA Publication No. PEP22-06-02-004. Rockville, MD: National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://store.samhsa.gov