Stafford Submits Duke REACH Equity Research Scholars Development Program Application

Kudos to Allison Stafford, postdoctoral associate, for the submission of her Duke REACH Equity Research Scholars Development Program application entitled "Patient, Family, and Provider Perspectives on Latina Adolescents' Engagement in Depression Treatment." This proposal requests funding for a one-year period with a start date of July 1, 2019.  

The purpose of the proposed study is to identify facilitators and barriers to depression treatment engagement among Latina adolescents across patient-, family-, and healthcare provider-levels from the perspectives of these individuals. Qualitative descriptive methods will be used to identify facilitators and barriers. The study will 1) conduct individual interviews with Latina adolescents with diagnoses of depression (n=12) and their parents/guardians (n=12) regarding their depression treatment engagement experiences, from the point of being referred to treatment to completing treatment as prescribed and 2) conduct two focus groups with primary care and mental health providers (n=12) regarding their perspectives on Latina adolescents’ depression treatment engagement. Qualitative content analysis will be used to determine common categories of facilitators and barriers. Results will inform the development of culturally-sensitive strategies that can be implemented to improve Latina adolescents’ engagement in depression treatment.