Authors

Josalin J. Hunter-Jones, Emory University
April L. Nellum, Morehouse School of Medicine
Elizabeth I. Olorundare, Morehouse School of Medicine
Candace C. McCloud, Morehouse School of Medicine
Matthew D. McCurdy, Morehouse School of Medicine
Robin E. McGee, Emory UniversityFollow
Contessa M. Davis, Morehouse School of Medicine
Nancy J. Thompson, Emory University
Rakale C. Quarells, Morehouse School of Medicine

Assessing the Cultural Appropriateness of UPLIFT for African Americans With Epilepsy: A Community Engaged Approach

Abstract

Background: In trials of Project UPLIFT, a distance-delivered, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention, there was improvement in the mental health of people with epilepsy/seizure disorder. In these trials, however, African Americans have been few. Thus, as this program is disseminated, it is desirable to ensure that it is culturally appropriate for minority populations.

Methods: To determine the appropriateness of Project UPLIFT for African Americans, we engaged in three main research activities: 1) the formation and involvement of an epilepsy community advisory board; 2) qualitative interviews with healthcare providers who serve this community; and 3) focus groups with African American adults living with epilepsy or seizure disorder and main support persons of African American adults living with epilepsy or seizure disorder.

Results: The epilepsy community advisory board provided recommendations for the most appropriate language to use when engaging and recruiting the target population. Healthcare providers indicated that psychosocial concerns of African American persons living with epilepsy seemed to be different from those among patients of other racial groups. They indicated that Project UPLIFT might be useful for this group. Focus groups revealed experiences of living with and supporting someone with epilepsy and provided favorable feedback on the UPLIFT intervention.

Conclusions: Formative feedback indicates that Project UPLIFT may be useful for African Americans with epilepsy. These data will be used to guide a forthcoming randomized, controlled trial to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention with this group.

First Page

60

Last Page

69

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Hunter-Jones, Josalin J.; Nellum, April L.; Olorundare, Elizabeth I.; McCloud, Candace C.; McCurdy, Matthew D.; McGee, Robin E.; Davis, Contessa M.; Thompson, Nancy J.; and Quarells, Rakale C. (2016) "Assessing the Cultural Appropriateness of UPLIFT for African Americans With Epilepsy: A Community Engaged Approach," Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association: Vol. 6: No. 1, Article 30.
DOI: 10.21633/jgpha.6.105
Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/jgpha/vol6/iss1/30