206 Sociocultural adaptation of a self-guided digital intervention for women with Arabic-speaking migrant backgrounds experiencing postpartum distress

Abstract OP 23: Mental Health 3, B304 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 14:45 - 15:45 Aims Postpartum depression (PPD) affects 10–15% of women globally. Women with migrant backgrounds have twice the risk of developing PPD yet face significant barriers to participate in screening programs and accessing treatment services. Over the past decade, there has been a surge in digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) for the treatment and prevention of PPD. However, these have overlooked the needs and realities of migrant women, highlighting the importance of engaging end users in the development of DMHIs to promote accessibility, acceptability and equity. This study uses iCARE, a DMHI to reduce PPD symptoms in Denmark, as a case study to explore the sociocultural and linguistic adaptation of a self-guided DMHI for women with Arabic-speaking migrant backgrounds experiencing postpartum distress such as depression and anxiety. Methods The adaptation process followed Heim and Kohrt’s conceptual framework for the sociocultural adaptation of scalable psychological interventions. Using a participatory and human-centered design approach, civil society, migrant women and stakeholders were engaged in an iterative process of adaptation and prototype testing. Results Adaptations are made to three key areas of the intervention: Cultural concepts of distress – understanding the explanatory models and idioms of postpartum distress among Arabic-speaking women with migrant backgrounds; treatment components – adjustments to intervention content to align with beliefs, norms, and preferences; and treatment delivery – modifications to ensure accessibility and usability for Arabic-speaking women. Conclusions This study describes the sociocultural and linguistic adaptation process of a DMHI for postpartum distress, detailing what components were adapted and why. Through an equity lens, we critically discuss the potentials and limitations of self-guided DMHIs in supporting the maternal mental health needs of women with migrant backgrounds. Keywords Digital mental health interventions, sociocultural adaptation, mental health, postpartum depression (PPD), migration, qualitative research, participatory methods