Design and evaluation of a mobile-based intervention for Maya adults during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors:   Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, The Netherlands, Dominguez-Rodriguez Alejandro ,   Health Sciences Area, Universidad Internacional de Valencia, Valencia, Spain, Dzul-Rosado Karla ,   Emerging and Re-emerging Disease Laboratory, Dr. Hideyo Noguchi Regional Research Center, Autonomous University of Yucatan, Merida, Mexico, Castellanos-Vargas Rosa Olimpia ,   Health Science Department, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Juarez City, Mexico, Sanz Gómez Sergio ,   Health Sciences Area, Universidad Internacional de Valencia, Valencia, Spain,   Department of Psychiatry, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain, Herdoiza-Arroyo Paulina Erika ,   School of Psychology, Universidad Internacional del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador, Hernández Delgado Yolanda de Jesús ,   Department of Population Health, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico, Ancona-Manzanilla Juan ,   Department of Anthropology, University of Central Florida, United States,   Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico, Arias-León Juan Jose ,   Inter-Institutional Unit of Epidemiologic and Clinical Research, Medicine Faculty, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Yucatán, Mexico, Chuc Uc Cessia Esther ,   Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Mexico, Albán-Terán Margarita Gabriela ,   School of Psychology, Universidad Internacional del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador, Nieto Ramos Emilia Gabriela ,   School of Psychology, Universidad Internacional del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador, Villavicencio Calderón Emilia Nicole ,   School of Psychology, Universidad Internacional del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador, Arzola-Sánchez Carlos Armando ,   Escuela Superior de Psicología de Ciudad Juárez, Juarez, Mexico, de la Rosa-Gómez Anabel ,   Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, State of Mexico, Ramírez-Martínez Flor Rocío ,   Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Juarez, Mexico, Acosta Guzmán Victoria ,   Institute of Social Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Juarez, Mexico, Castillo Tzec Felipe ,   National Institute of Indigenous Languages, Mexico
Published: October 2023

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a direct impact on mental health. International organisations have emphasised the vulnerability of indigenous people. Digital Mental Health approaches deliver online therapy as an evidence-based, effective, and accessible treatment option for common mental health problems. However, the evidence regarding these approaches is limited in indigenous populations. The objective of this study is to describe the design, development, and evaluation of the efficacy of a self-applied online intervention regarding the psychological symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fear of COVID-19 in a sample of the Maya population. Method: A prospective longitudinal quantitative study was designed, where a single group was measured before and after receiving the online intervention. This study took place from April to September 2021 and consisted of six sessions delivered via WhatsApp in Spanish and Mayan. Results: The initial assessment was implemented with 82 participants who were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire, Scale for Generalised Anxiety Disorder and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale; 18 participants remained in the intervention for the post-assessment. Statistical differences were observed in PRE and POST measures of depression and anxiety, but not in fear of COVID-19. Conclusions: This study produced positive results for the first online mental health intervention implemented in the Latin American indigenous population. Future studies might consider developing similar interventions for other indigenous communities in Latin America.