Feasibility and Acceptability of an AI Therapist Twin Delivering Familias Unidas, an Evidence-based Drug Abuse and Mental Health Intervention for Hispanic Youth

Feasibility and Acceptability of an AI Therapist Twin Delivering Familias Unidas, an Evidence-based Drug Abuse and Mental Health Intervention for Hispanic Youth

 

Summary

 Adolescent drug use and mental health problems are leading causes of preventable morbidity, mortality, and long-term chronic disease risk. Hispanic youth, the largest ethnic group in the U.S., face disproportionate disparities in both drug use and mental health outcomes yet remain underserved by evidence-based prevention programs. Family-based or parenting interventions have proven highly effective at preventing and reducing adolescent drug use and improving mental health through strengthened family functioning including parent–adolescent communication and consistent parenting practices. However, the scalability of these interventions is limited by reliance on therapist-led delivery. This project builds on Familias Unidas and its adaptation, eHealth Familias Unidas, both culturally grounded, evidence-based parenting interventions with demonstrated efficacy and effectiveness in preventing and reducing adolescent drug use and depressive symptoms. We propose to develop, and pilot test an AI-enhanced digital therapist that replaces therapist-led sessions with algorithmically customizable, patient-centered delivery.

Team

Guillermo (Willy) Prado (Nursing and Health sciences), Yannine Estrada (Nursing and Health Sciences), Yelena Yesha (Computer Science), Jacqueline Le Moigne (Computer Science)

Top