Adapting an internet-delivered intervention for depression for a Colombian college student population: An illustration of an integrative empirical approach

BACKGROUND: Culturally adapted psychotherapy (CAP) studies are limited and until now there are few published examples that illustrate the process of cultural adaptation with internet-delivered treatments. AIM: This paper aims to illustrate an integrative approach to the cultural adaptation of an evidence-based internet-delivered cognitive-behavioural therapy intervention for depression (Space from Depression programme). METHOD: Mixed method approach utilising quantitative and qualitative methods to assist in the cultural adaptation of the Space from Depression programme was used. The adaptation involved a framework for cultural sensitivity (CSF), alongside an ecological validity framework (EVF) and principles from cross-cultural assessment research. The method included the development of a theory-informed measure, the Cultural Relevance Questionnaire (CRQ), designed specifically for this research. RESULTS: The adaptation included an establishment of CSF, which included the incorporation of Colombian cultural expressions. College students' (n = 5) and experts' (n = 7) evaluated the EVF based on cross-cultural assessment principles of a preliminary adapted version through the CRQ, showing reliability in the sample (Cronbach's Alpha 0.744). Qualitative analysis supported the culturally sensitive changes or incorporations made to the programme, such as: personal stories and textual translations from English and these were considered ecologically valid and representative. CONCLUSIONS: The research provided support for the idea that CAP can be conducted systematically for internet-delivered interventions.