Trauma and Resilience among Latiné Girls: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Positive Adaptations for Trauma and Healing (PATH)

The present study measured the feasibility and acceptability of multifamily group therapy in reducing trauma symptomatology and increasing resilience among adolescent Latiné girls. Positive Adaptations for Trauma and Healing (PATH) is a manualized 10-week multifamily group therapy model for Latiné youth in English and Spanish. PATH is a culturally adapted treatment modality that integrates a trauma treatment with mindfulness, positive psychology, and resilience interventions. This study analyzed quantitative and qualitative data collected from 12 adolescent Latiné girls and 16 monolingual Spanish-speaking caregivers (three groups total). Data from pre- and postintervention measures of trauma symptomatology, resilience, and caregiver-related stress were gathered. Postintervention group interviews were transcribed and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Latiné girls reported a reduction in the severity of pre- to postintervention posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (Mdiff = 7.75, p = 0.043). Participants also reported feeling more confident at postintervention (Mdiff = 0.73, p = 0.05). In addition, caregivers reported a reduction in caregiver stress at postintervention (Mdiff = 6, p = 0.043). Three domains were derived from postintervention youth interviews: stronger parent–child relationships, increased self-concept, and increased confidence in the group process. Despite a small sample size, the intervention reduced trauma symptomatology among Latiné adolescent girls in a primary care setting. Group interviews revealed benefits and challenges of multifamily group therapy for Latiné families in urban areas. Future directions for gender- and culture-specific treatment modalities for ethnic minority youth are discussed.