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Impacts of a Church-Based Positive Psychological Intervention in Spanish-Speaking Hispanics/Latinos with Uncontrolled Hypertension: Results from the ¡Alegrate! Randomized Clinical Trial

Author

Listed:
  • Rosalba Hernandez

    (University of Illinois at Chicago)

  • Jinsong Chen

    (University of Nevada at Reno
    University of Illinois at Chicago)

  • Soonhyung Kwon

    (University of South Florida)

  • Lizet Martinez

    (University of Illinois at Chicago)

  • Angela Martinez

    (University of Illinois at Chicago)

  • Geovana Martin Alemany

    (University of Arizona)

  • Dana Romero

    (University of Illinois at Chicago)

  • Elizabeth L. Addington

    (Northwestern University)

  • Jeff C. Huffman

    (Harvard Medical School)

  • Judith T. Moskowitz

    (Northwestern University)

Abstract

The current study examined the intervention effects of a culturally tailored positive psychological intervention on the well-being profiles of Hispanics/Latinos with uncontrolled hypertension. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups (N = 96), either the ¡Alégrate! ("Get Happy!") positive psychological intervention arm (N = 51) or a wait-list control group (N = 45). The intervention consisted of eight weekly in-person sessions, facilitated by a licensed psychologist or social worker, aimed at improving positive affect and overall psychological well-being. Outcome measures of well-being included dispositional optimism, positive affect, life meaning and purpose, emotional vitality, and engagement in happiness-inducing behaviors. The analysis utilized independent two-sample t tests and intention-to-treat multivariable linear regression methods. There were no significant baseline differences in psychological well-being scores between the intervention and wait-list control groups. Half of the participants were female, with a mean age of 57.9 years, and 90.6% reported Mexican heritage. In regression analyses examining between-group differences, the ¡Alégrate! positive psychological intervention led to significant improvements in optimism (β = 1.23, p = 0.011) and engagement in happiness-inducing behavior (β = 14.98, p = 0.005) from baseline to post-intervention, while no such changes were seen in the wait-list control arm. Findings suggest that the strengths-based ¡Alégrate! positive psychological intervention effectively enhanced well-being measures in Hispanics/Latinos with uncontrolled hypertension, providing a promising approach to address mental health disparities in this underserved group. Future research should examine long-term impacts of the intervention in a larger and more heterogeneous sample of Hispanics/Latinos, considering factors such as acculturation, country of origin, and other culturally relevant variables.

Suggested Citation

  • Rosalba Hernandez & Jinsong Chen & Soonhyung Kwon & Lizet Martinez & Angela Martinez & Geovana Martin Alemany & Dana Romero & Elizabeth L. Addington & Jeff C. Huffman & Judith T. Moskowitz, 2025. "Impacts of a Church-Based Positive Psychological Intervention in Spanish-Speaking Hispanics/Latinos with Uncontrolled Hypertension: Results from the ¡Alegrate! Randomized Clinical Trial," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 26(3), pages 1-21, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:26:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s10902-024-00854-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-024-00854-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Selda Koydemir & Aslı Bugay Sökmez & Astrid Schütz, 2021. "A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Randomized Controlled Positive Psychological Interventions on Subjective and Psychological Well-Being," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(3), pages 1145-1185, June.
    2. Rebecca Warner & Kerryellen Vroman, 2011. "Happiness Inducing Behaviors in Everyday Life: An Empirical Assessment of “The How of Happiness”," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(6), pages 1063-1082, December.
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    4. Tom Hendriks & Marijke Schotanus-Dijkstra & Aabidien Hassankhan & Joop Jong & Ernst Bohlmeijer, 2020. "The Efficacy of Multi-component Positive Psychology Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 357-390, January.
    5. Amico, K.R., 2009. "Percent total attrition: A poor metric for study rigor in hosted intervention designs," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(9), pages 1567-1575.
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