Effectiveness of a Psychosocial Therapy with SMS in Immigrant Women with Different Degrees of Depression

Yolanda García, Carlos Ferrás and María José Ginzo
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Yolanda García: Mujeres Vulnerables Lab, Faculty of Communication, Campus Norte, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Carlos Ferrás: Mujeres Vulnerables Lab, Faculty of Communication, Campus Norte, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
María José Ginzo: Department of Statistics, Mathematical Analysis and Optimization, Campus Vida, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Social Sciences, 2020, vol. 9, issue 5, 1-11

Abstract: Immigrant women who are forced to adapt to a new cultural context often live in low income situations, have informal jobs, and experience social inclusion difficulties; these women frequently have mental health and social relationship problems. We conducted an experimental investigation with a group of vulnerable immigrant women who were receiving support from public social services. Our goal was to analyze the effectiveness of a bio-psychosocial therapy system with text messages to personal mobile phones. We grouped women by different degrees of depression. We studied psychosocial characteristics from personalized interviews and developed message banks to advise healthy habits and accompany moods. We programmed a remote delivery system, and for 26 days, each woman ( n = 44) received four of our messages. We analyzed changes in mood and depression at the beginning and at the end of therapy and observed positive changes. The analysis of the initial and final (Personal Health Questionnaire) PHQ−9 quartile intervals shows that text messages significantly improve the mood and depression symptoms of immigrant women when the initial PHQ−9 value is greater than 5 (moderate depression).

Keywords: psychosocial therapy; immigrant women; depression; mood; SMS; social vulnerability; health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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