THURS-003 - Enhancing Spiritual Well-being and Reducing Stress with Culturally Adapted Digital Health Coaching for Diverse Communities

Brief Abstract Summary: Learn how to design health education and coaching messages to address spiritual health and well-being for Latinx people and other communities. Gain ideas about how spiritual messaging can lead to less stress and better mental health for both religious and non-religious community members. Examine data from two pilot studies showing how a brief, culturally tailored, theory-based, and Ignatian-informed program increased spiritual well-being, happiness, and sleep quality within two populations. Observe how young adult Latinx university student researchers and healthcare staff in a Federally Qualified Health Center reacted to a holistic digital health intervention addressing physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Detailed abstract description: Both spirituality and religiosity are powerful determinants of health that are associated with better physical health outcomes and overall lower mortality. Systematic reviews show that health interventions including spiritual and religious components reduce stress, depression, and alcoholism and may improve quality of life, physical activity, weight control, and other behaviors.

Spiritual health is widely recognized as a core dimension of health and wellness. Among Latinos and other communities of color, where daily prayer and reflection are quite common, promoting better health and wellness via increased spirituality may positively impact health behaviors.

Our team of student researchers, community health workers, and behavioral health experts developed a holistic digital health promotion program based on well-established health behavior change theories informed by Ignatian spiritual values.

The 4-6 week pilot program provided weekly health and wellness coaching via Zoom and daily automated and standardized mobile phone messaging on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The approach emphasized context and lived experience, action and goal-setting, and reflection and progress evaluation. Messages included spiritual health practices through references to prayer along with meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and nature walks to resonate with all people regardless of specific religious beliefs or practices. One message included, for example: “What did you do for your spirituality today? Set aside time every day to do something that helps you spiritually, like meditation, yoga, prayer, nature walks, or community service.” Messages featured culturally specific images and were bilingual, warm, friendly, affirming, and encouraging.

The program was evaluated in two separate pilot studies with Latina university students and healthcare workers serving low-income communities in Northern California. Data was gathered from 51 participants through a pre-post online survey and in-depth interviews on program completion. We analyzed program effectiveness using thematic analysis in NVivo, as well as paired-sample t-tests and Wilcoxon matched pairs signed-rank tests.

Quantitative results showed statistically significant increases in daily wellness practices, physical activity, and feelings of happiness, as well as decreased stress and sleep difficulties. Participants reported a stronger sense of purpose and life satisfaction, more meaningful connections, and a stronger relationship with a higher power after participating in the program.

The qualitative data revealed that cultural tailoring and attention to spiritual and holistic health resonated with participants, making them feel calm, happy, empowered, and motivated for health improvement – findings that align with research showing that spiritual practices prompt positive emotions that help to alleviate stress.