Clinical Trail Outcomes of the Mexican American Problem Solving Program (MAPS)

Area of Science:

• * Public Health
• * Child Psychology
• * Immigrant Health

Background:

• * Mexican immigrant women and children exhibit higher depression rates than national averages.
• * Maternal depression significantly impacts child mental health outcomes.
• * Existing community strategies require enhancement to address these disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To evaluate the Mexican American Problem Solving (MAPS) program's effectiveness in reducing depression symptoms among Mexican immigrant women and their children.
• * To assess the program's impact on children's health conceptions and family problem-solving communication.

Main Methods:

• * A randomized clinical trial involving 302 Mexican immigrant mother-child dyads.
• * Intervention group received a linked home visiting and after-school program (MAPS).
• * Control group received standard community services; schools were randomized.

Main Results:

• * Statistically significant improvements observed in children's health conceptions and family problem-solving communication in the intervention group.
• * Children's depression symptom improvements in the intervention group approached statistical significance.
• * The MAPS program demonstrated positive effects on key factors predicting mental health.

Conclusions:

• * School-based nursing interventions, like the MAPS program, are effective in improving psychosocial factors for children in immigrant families.
• * The MAPS program shows potential for reducing depression symptoms in Mexican immigrant children.
• * Refined school-based interventions should be integrated into community strategies for immigrant mental health.