A Qualitative Case Study Examining Intervention Tailoring for Minorities

• Authors: Nelda Mier, Texas A&M Health Science Center; Marcia G. Ory, A&M Health Science Center; Deborah Toobert, Oregon Research Institute; Matthew Lee Smith, Texas A&M Health Science Center; Diego Osuna, Kaiser Permanente Colorado Institute for Health Research; James McKay, University of Pennsylvania; Edna K. Villarreal, School of Rural Public Health; Ralph Joseph Diclemente, Emory University; Barbara K. Rimer, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Dean
• Journal Title: American Journal of Health Behavior
• Volume: Volume 34, Number 6
• Publisher: PNG Publications | 2010, Pages 822-832
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.34.6.16
• Keywords: cultural; tailoring; ethnic minorities; disparities

Abstract

Objectives To explore issues of intervention tailoring for ethnic minorities based on information and experiences shared by researchers affiliated with the Health Maintenance Consortium (HMC). Methods A qualitative case study methodology was used with the administration of a survey (n=17 principal investigators) and follow-up telephone interviews. Descriptive and content analyses were conducted, and a synthesis of the findings was developed. Results: A majority of the HMC projects used individual tailoring strategies regardless of the ethnic background of participants. Follow-up interview findings indicated that key considerations in the process of intervention tailoring for minorities included formative research; individually oriented adaptations; and intervention components that were congruent with participants’ demographics, cultural norms, and social context. Conclusions Future research should examine the extent to which culturally tailoring long-term maintenance interventions for ethnic minorities is efficacious and should be pursued as an effective methodology to reduce health disparities.