Cultural adaptation of an evidence-based intervention to address mental health among youth affected by armed conflict in Colombia: An application of the ADAPT-ITT approach and FRAME-IS reporting protocols

• Published in: Global mental health 2024, Vol.11, p.e114, Article e114
• Main Authors: Pineros-Leano, María, Desrosiers, Alethea, Piñeros-Leaño, Natalia, Moya, Andrés, Canizares-Escobar, Catalina, Tam, Lyann, Betancourt, Theresa S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: conflict-affected youth; cultural adaptation; evidence-based intervention; Interventions; mental health; Population strategies; Teaching and Learning; Training non-mental health professionals
• ISSN: 2054-4251; 2054-4251
• DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2024.106

In Colombia, over 9 million people have been impacted by armed conflict, creating a significant need for mental health services. This study aimed to culturally adapt and pilot test the Youth Readiness Intervention (YRI), an evidence-based transdiagnostic mental health intervention, for conflict-affected Colombian youth aged 18-28 years. The eight phases of the Assessment, Decision, Administration, Production, Topical Experts, Integration, Training, and Testing (ADAPT-ITT) framework were used to culturally adapt the YRI for conflict-affected Colombian youth. The Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications to Evidence-based Implementation Strategies (FRAME-IS) was used to track the adaptations made. Qualitative and quantitative data were gathered and analyzed throughout the adaptation process. Data from the Assessment phase demonstrated a high need for mental health interventions among conflict-affected youth. The Testing phase revealed significant improvements in emotion regulation and functional impairment, suggesting the YRI is a promising intervention among conflict-affected Colombian youth. Qualitative data confirmed the intervention's acceptability among youth and mental health providers. The YRI was successfully adapted for conflict-affected Colombian youth. Future studies using randomized designs are needed to test the effectiveness of the YRI for improving mental health among larger samples of Colombian conflict-affected youth.