Paper
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Improving Mental & Physical Health of Hispanic Adolescents
Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, RN, CPNP, FAAN1, Leigh Small, PhD, RN, CPNP2, Mary Mays, PhD1, Diana L. Jacobson, MS, RN, CPNP3, Stephanie Van Blankenstein3, and Judith O'Haver, RN, MS, CPNP4. (1) Arizona State University College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation, Arizona State University College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation, Phoenix, AZ, USA, (2) Pediatrics, Arizona State University College of Nursing, Tempe, AZ, USA, (3) College of Nursing, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA, (4) University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| Learning Objective #1: Describe the components of the COPE/Healthy Lifestyles TEEN program. |
| Learning Objective #2: Discuss the impact of the COPE/Healthy Lifestyles TEEN program on the health outcomes of Hispanic teens. |
Background. Depressive and anxiety disorders among adolescents, often co-morbid conditions that affect 35 percent of female and 20 percent of male high school students, are major public health problems associated with disabling morbidity, significant mortality, and substantial healthcare costs. Adolescent depressive disorders also are associated with other mental and physical health problems, such as substance abuse, school failure, and obesity.
Purpose. The purpose of this recently completed randomized controlled pilot study was to determine the effects of the COPE/Healthy Lifestyles TEEN (thinking, emotions, exercise, and nutrition) program on the mental and physical health outcomes of 19 Hispanic adolescents enrolled in an inner city high school. The intervention programs (COPE versus Comparison) were delivered in two separate classes of teens who were taking a required health class. Programs were twelve sessions over a nine-week school quarter for both groups.
Outcomes. Key variables measured included depressive symptoms, anxiety, beliefs/confidence about engaging in a healthy lifestyle, perceived difficulty in leading a healthy lifestyle, and healthy attitudes, choices, and behaviors. The COPE program content included cognitive behavioral skills building along with information and activities on leading a healthy lifestyle. The comparison group class received information that focused on safety and other teen health issues.
Findings. Findings indicated that the COPE teens were less depressed, less anxious, and more committed to making healthy choices following the intervention. Teens in the control group showed no appreciable change in depression or anxiety, but a similar change in commitment to making healthy choices.
Implications. This st
udy provides preliminary data to indicate that the COPE TEEN program can lead to improved mental and physical health outcomes in Hispanic adolescents. Findings support the need for a full-scale clinical trial to test the efficacy of COPE on adolescent physical and mental health outcomes.