Adapting an Internet-Delivered Intervention for Depression for a Colombian College Student Population: An Illustration of an Integrative Empirical Approach

Abstract

Background

Culturally adapted psychotherapy (CAP) studies are limited and until now there are few published examples that illustrate the process of cultural adaptation with internet-delivered treatments.

Aim

This paper aims to illustrate an integrative approach to the cultural adaptation of an evidence-based internet-delivered cognitive-behavioural therapy intervention for depression (Space from Depression programme).

Method

Mixed method approach utilising quantitative and qualitative methods to assist in the cultural adaptation of the Space from Depression programme was used. The adaptation involved a framework for cultural sensitivity (CSF), alongside an ecological validity framework (EVF) and principles from cross-cultural assessment research. The method included the development of a theory-informed measure, the Cultural Relevance Questionnaire (CRQ), designed specifically for this research.

Results

The adaptation included an establishment of CSF, which included the incorporation of Colombian cultural expressions. College students' (n = 5) and experts' (n = 7) evaluated the EVF based on cross-cultural assessment principles of a preliminary adapted version through the CRQ, showing reliability in the sample (Cronbach's Alpha 0.744). Qualitative analysis supported the culturally sensitive changes or incorporations made to the programme, such as: personal stories and textual translations from English and these were considered ecologically valid and representative.

Conclusions

The research provided support for the idea that CAP can be conducted systematically for internet-delivered interventions.