A Culturally Adapted Depression Intervention for African American Adults

Primary Aim 1: Examine effectiveness of the Oh Happy Day Class (OHDC) compared to the Coping With Depression (CWD)in increasing retention, adherence, engagement, satisfaction, and treatment-seeking. The investigators hypothesize the OHDC compared to the CWD will result in greater increases in: 1a. retention, 1b. adherence, 1c. engagement, and 1d. satisfaction at the middle and end of the intervention, and 2.e. greater increase in treatment-seeking 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12- months post-intervention. Outcome measures: logs: attendance, homework completion, class-participation level; Client Satisfaction Inventory; and Cornell Service Index. Primary Aim 2: Examine effectiveness of the OHDC in reducing symptoms of depression at the middle and immediate end of the intervention, and 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12- months post-intervention. The investigators hypothesize the OHDC will result in greater reduction in depressive symptoms compared to the CWD at 3-months post-intervention. Outcome measures: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and Quick Inventory of Depression Symptoms. Secondary Aim 3: Examine the effectiveness of the OHDC in improving self-reports of mental and physical health status and reducing self-reports of perceived disability. The investigators hypothesize the OHDC compared to the CWD will result in greater self-report of: 3a. improved mental and physical health status, and 3b. reduced self-report of disability at the immediate end of the intervention and 3-,6-, 9-, 12- months post-intervention. Outcome measures: SF-12 Health Survey, and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule.

Public Health Impact: Based on CAI research, the OHDC has the potential to be four times more effective than the CWD. If our hypotheses are proven, the OHDC will be the first evidence-based culturally adapted depression intervention designed specifically for African American men and women between the ages of 30-60.