Perspectives of Black and Latino Students on Mindfulness and Mindfulness-Based Interventions to Support Mental Health
Disciplines
Cognition and Perception | Cognitive Psychology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Depression and anxiety are prevalent and distressing mental health conditions that disproportionately affect Black and Latino populations in the U.S. Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) reduce symptoms of these conditions but were developed within a Western biomedical framework. Their cultural appropriateness for Black and Latino people remains largely unexamined. This two-study investigation explored perceptions of MBIs and their adaptation for Black and Latino university students. Study 1 examined whether income—a proxy for race and ethnicity in the U.S.—is associated with MBI acceptability (willingness to engage) and credibility (perceived effectiveness). Black and Latino households earn about half as much as White households and own only 15-20% of their net worth. A total of 341 community adults (43.9% cisgender women) were recruited online via TurkPrime. Participants completed demographic questions and read a vetted MBI description, then rated its acceptability and credibility. We collapsed income into high and low-income categories (n= 43) were disproportionately overrepresented in the low-income group. A one-way MANOVA found that low-income participants rated MBIs as significantly less acceptable and credible compared to high-income participants. These findings suggest financial barriers and structural inequities shape MBI perceptions. Study 2 will build on these findings by qualitatively exploring Black and Latino university students’ perspectives on MBIs, their cultural appropriateness, and potential adaptations. This research highlights the need for culturally adapted MBIs that address financial and cultural barriers, informing efforts to refine MBIs for Black and Latino student populations.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Psychological Science
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Shadi Beshai
Perspectives of Black and Latino Students on Mindfulness and Mindfulness-Based Interventions to Support Mental Health
Depression and anxiety are prevalent and distressing mental health conditions that disproportionately affect Black and Latino populations in the U.S. Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) reduce symptoms of these conditions but were developed within a Western biomedical framework. Their cultural appropriateness for Black and Latino people remains largely unexamined. This two-study investigation explored perceptions of MBIs and their adaptation for Black and Latino university students. Study 1 examined whether income—a proxy for race and ethnicity in the U.S.—is associated with MBI acceptability (willingness to engage) and credibility (perceived effectiveness). Black and Latino households earn about half as much as White households and own only 15-20% of their net worth. A total of 341 community adults (43.9% cisgender women) were recruited online via TurkPrime. Participants completed demographic questions and read a vetted MBI description, then rated its acceptability and credibility. We collapsed income into high and low-income categories (n= 43) were disproportionately overrepresented in the low-income group. A one-way MANOVA found that low-income participants rated MBIs as significantly less acceptable and credible compared to high-income participants. These findings suggest financial barriers and structural inequities shape MBI perceptions. Study 2 will build on these findings by qualitatively exploring Black and Latino university students’ perspectives on MBIs, their cultural appropriateness, and potential adaptations. This research highlights the need for culturally adapted MBIs that address financial and cultural barriers, informing efforts to refine MBIs for Black and Latino student populations.