Study Status
Ongoing
Project Team
Everyday Health Group; BabyCenter en Español
Alignment with Crown Institute Vision
This project advances the Crown Institute’s mission by expanding equitable, culturally grounded mental health support for mothers, infants, and families who often face significant barriers to care. The study helps clarify what kinds of support are acceptable, accessible, and meaningful and informs how to provide responsive care for new and expectant mothers.
Background & Context
Depression during the perinatal period poses serious risks for mothers and their children, yet many women, especially those from marginalized communities, do not receive needed support. New and expectant Latina mothers experience particularly high rates of depressive symptoms and face significant barriers to care. Peer- and community-based programs offer a promising approach by providing non-pharmacological, culturally familiar support, but little is known about what types of care Latina mothers prefer. This study addresses that gap by examining mental health care preferences among Latina mothers across the U.S. and exploring their perceptions of Alma, a peer-delivered program designed to improve mood and reduce stress.
Primary Aims
This study examined what types of mental health care and support new and expectant Latina mothers in the United States want and feel comfortable using. The survey explored mothers’ preferences for mental health support, their views of the Alma as well as peer-delivered programs in general, and their experiences with stress, discrimination, and daily activities that may shape their needs. By collecting input from Latina mothers nationwide, the study generates insights that can guide the development of responsive, culturally grounded mental health programs and improve access to meaningful support for Latina families.
Research Methods
This project used a national, cross-sectional survey to understand the mental health care needs and preferences of new and expectant Latina mothers. Eligible participants were pregnant or up to six months postpartum, preferred to participate in Spanish, and lived anywhere in the United States. Recruitment through large digital parenting platforms enabled broad reach, resulting in more than 2,000 enrolled mothers. Participants completed a 20–25 minute online survey assessing care preferences, stress and discrimination experiences, mental health symptoms, daily activities, and perceptions of the Alma program, and peer support models generally.
Key Findings & Publications / Presentations
Published papers include:
Collado, A., Hicks, L., Hubley, S., Kordyban, L., Palomar, M., Bauer, D., & Dimidjian, S. (2025). Perceptions of Peer-Delivered Mental Health Support for Anxiety and Depression Among Spanish-Speaking, Perinatal Latinas in the United States. J Health Care Poor Underserved
The study found strong endorsement of peer-delivered mental health support, particularly its potential to increase access, reduce stigma, and lessen isolation. Participants also noted barriers, such as uncertainty about when to seek help and confidentiality concerns. Those with Medicaid or no insurance reported especially positive views of peer support, while higher depression and anxiety symptoms were linked to more perceived obstacles.
Additional results from this study are forthcoming.
Contact to Learn More
References
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Collado, A., Calderón, M., MacPherson, L., & Lejuez, C. (2016). The efficacy of behavioral activation treatment among depressed Spanish-speaking Latinos. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 84(7), 651–657.
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