Homework completion via telephone and in-person Cognitive Behavioral Therapy among Latinos

Abstract

Homework completion in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression is an integral ingredient in treatment that often goes unreported. Furthermore, many studies of homework completion focus on patient adherence without considering the therapists' role in reviewing and reinforcing this behavior. No studies to date have assessed the relationship between homework variables and outcomes among Latinos receiving CBT for depression. Since this population has often been difficult to engage in CBT, this study aims to assess whether homework completion and therapist review of homework are related to improved outcomes in a CBT intervention (telephone or in person) for Latinos with depression. We found that higher homework completion was significantly related to lower depression scores at the end of final treatment (as measured by PHQ-9) (B = -1.38, p < 0.01). However, the significant association of homework with depression went away when clinician review of homework was included in a subsequent step of the model (B = -0.42, p = 0.45). The number of times a clinician actively reviewed homework was still significantly related to a decrease in PHQ-9 when controlling for demographic factors (B = -1.23, p < 0.01). This study found that homework is a predictor of improved outcomes in CBT for depression but highlights the role of therapists reviewing homework as a predictor of lower depression symptoms among Spanish speaking Latinos from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

Keywords: CBT; Latinos; depression; homework; telehealth.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: Author A has received research grants from NIMH and Robert Wood Johnson. Author E has received research grants from NIMHD. Authors B,C and D declare that they have no conflicts of interest.