PODER Familiar: A Culturally Tailored Health Intervention for Latino Families of Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Amy Pei-Lung Yu; Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar; Vanessa L Errisuriz; Deborah Parra-Medina; Mansha Mirza; Minyu Zhang; Pei-Chiang Lee; Weiwen Zeng; Jasmine P Brown-Hollie; Eduardo Yespica Mendoza; Stephany Brown; Sandra B Vanegas; Nazanin M Heydarian; Sandy Magaña

doi:10.1111/jar.70048

PODER Familiar: A Culturally Tailored Health Intervention for Latino Families of Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2025 Mar;38(2):e70048. doi: 10.1111/jar.70048.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.
² Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
³ Department of Public Health, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California, USA.
⁴ Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA.
⁵ Latino Research Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.
⁶ School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA.
⁷ Texas Center for Disability Studies, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.
⁸ School of Social Work, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, Texas, USA.

PMID: 40186534
DOI: 10.1111/jar.70048

Abstract

Background: This two-site pilot study examined the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary outcomes of PODER Familiar, a culturally tailored intervention to promote the health and well-being of Latina family caregivers and their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Method: Using the Promotora de Salud model and mixed-methods design, we co-developed PODER Familiar with Latina caregivers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and community stakeholders. Thirty Latina caregivers and their children with disabilities were recruited to participate in the intervention, which included 10 individual sessions and 3 group sessions.

Results: Twenty-six Latina caregivers completed all 10 individual sessions, with high intervention fidelity and satisfaction. Preliminary data showed improvements in psychosocial, behavioural, and health outcomes of Latina family caregivers and their children. Participants also highlighted cultural relevance, the value of promotoras, and positive impacts on family health behaviours.

Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest that PODER Familiar is a promising approach. Recommendations are included.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05713617.

Keywords: Latino families; children; culturally tailored interventions; health promotion; intellectual and developmental disabilities; promotoras.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Caregivers* / psychology
Child
Child, Preschool
Culturally Competent Care*
Developmental Disabilities* / ethnology
Developmental Disabilities* / nursing
Feasibility Studies
Female
Health Promotion* / methods
Hispanic or Latino*
Humans
Intellectual Disability* / ethnology
Intellectual Disability* / nursing
Male
Middle Aged
Pilot Projects

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05713617

Abstract

MeSH terms

Associated data

Grants and funding