# Quédate Tranquila: A Mobile, Web-based Stress Management Intervention for Hispanic Women

> **NIH NIH R44** · ISA ASSOCIATES, INC. · 2024 · $842,935

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 One in three Latinx adults report having extreme levels of stress and are more likely to say their stress has
increased in the past year. Stress in Hispanics has been linked to high rates of depression, higher
cardiovascular disease, and increased diabetes risk. High rates of stress and negative health outcomes among
Latinx may be the result of the unique stressors (i.e., acculturative and discrimination) they encounter, which
are not experienced by the general U.S. population. Indeed, acculturative stress and discrimination have been
linked to poor health outcomes. Moreover, Latinas experience greater perceived stress and negative
psychological outcomes compared to their male counters. Because Hispanic women have multiple social
identities (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status) that interact with different forms of systemic
oppression, this leads to higher levels of overall and cultural stress. Clearly defined gender-based roles are
integral to Latinx cultural and contribute to both acculturative and discrimination-related stress.
 Both cognitive-behavioral stress management interventions (CBSMi) and mindfulness meditation training
have demonstrated success in reducing stress among Hispanics. However, Hispanics lack access to quality
health care (including mental health services) and cultural values prevent them from seeking out services to
address their mental health needs. One emerging accessible and cost-effective solution is mHealth, yet there is
a dearth of mHealth solutions that are developed specifically to address the stressors that Hispanics females
face. Therefore, we aim to develop Quédate Tranquila, a mobile CBSMi (m-CBSMi) that is tailored to the lived
experiences of Hispanic women. Quédate Tranquila will utilize theory (Transactional Model of Stress) to
reduce affective, behavioral, and physiological responses to stress and its downstream health consequences
among Latinas. The m-CBSMi will aim to foster and support healthy coping responses to stress by
incorporating culturally tailored content in the form of videos, video testimonials, mobile tools that provide
additional social support, and interactive pages that incorporate quizzes and activities.
 In Phase I, a prototype m-CBSMi was developed. This development was informed by formative research
with staff members from a federally qualified health center and Hispanic women 18 years of age and older. The
results of Phase I strongly support the feasibility and potential effectiveness of the intervention, far exceeding
benchmarks established in the Phase I proposal.
 During Phase II, the m-CBSMi for Latinas will be fully developed. Then, in partnership with Mary’s Center,
the effectiveness of the m-CBSMi to reduce stress among Hispanic women will be examined. Participants will
be randomly assigned to either the intervention conditions or to a matched control condition. Secondary
measures will assess cultural stressors (acculturative and discri...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10920917
- **Project number:** 2R44MD017105-02
- **Recipient organization:** ISA ASSOCIATES, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** DEBRA RIOS
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $842,935
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2021-09-18 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10920917

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10920917, Quédate Tranquila: A Mobile, Web-based Stress Management Intervention for Hispanic Women (2R44MD017105-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10920917. Licensed CC0.

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