Navigating Communication, Social Connectedness, and Mental Health Burden as Hispanic/Latiné Care Partners of Individuals With Parkinson's Disease.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Navigating Communication, Social Connectedness, and Mental Health Burden as Hispanic/Latiné Care Partners of Individuals With Parkinson's Disease.
Authors:	Moya-Galé, Gemma¹ gm2446@tc.columbia.edu, Fernández, Isabel Figueroa², González, Xena¹, Manosalvas, Kiara², Agin-Liebes, Julian³
Source:	American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. Mar2026, Vol. 35 Issue 2, p621-637. 17p.
Subject Terms:	Focus groups, Hispanic Americans, Psychoeducation, Communication, Interpersonal relations, Caregiver attitudes, COVID-19 pandemic, Cultural pluralism, Support groups, Mental health, Stereotypes, Research funding, Spouses, Statistical sampling, Parkinson's disease, Financial stress, Thematic analysis, Data analysis software, Video recording, Disease progression
Abstract:	Purpose: Care partners of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) navigate unique challenges that may impact their overall quality of life. Although some of these experiences may reflect a universal component of the disease, driven by motor and nonmotor symptoms of PD, care partner perceptions may also reflect culture-dependent values. The purpose of this study was to examine how Hispanic/Latiné care partners of individuals with PD experienced communication, social connectedness, and mental health in their relationship with their loved one with PD with the ultimate goal of establishing initial guidelines for the development of culturally responsive support groups for this population. Method: Fifteen Hispanic/Latiné care partners of people with PD participated in six focus groups. Transcripts of the video-recorded groups were analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis. Results: Four themes were generated from this data set. Overall, care partners perceived burden as a multifaceted construct involving emotional, financial, and societal strains. Care partners implemented strategies that enhanced communicative interactions with their loved ones and served as their own coping mechanism against the progressive nature of the disease. Cultural influences on PD management and the social and mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic also represented key themes in this study. Conclusions: Education is an empowering resource to not only navigate difficult emotions, such as uncertainty, but also debunk societal stereotyping and facilitate open communication within the relationship. The research highlighted the significance of culturally affirming services, as many participants shared experiences of medical and psychological services lacking cultural responsiveness. Guidelines for culturally responsive support groups for Hispanic/Latiné care partners should directly target psychoeducation on PD and on disease management as well as advocacy. Special consideration should be given to the needs of Hispanic/Latiné female care partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Education Research Complete

Description
Abstract:	Purpose: Care partners of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) navigate unique challenges that may impact their overall quality of life. Although some of these experiences may reflect a universal component of the disease, driven by motor and nonmotor symptoms of PD, care partner perceptions may also reflect culture-dependent values. The purpose of this study was to examine how Hispanic/Latiné care partners of individuals with PD experienced communication, social connectedness, and mental health in their relationship with their loved one with PD with the ultimate goal of establishing initial guidelines for the development of culturally responsive support groups for this population. Method: Fifteen Hispanic/Latiné care partners of people with PD participated in six focus groups. Transcripts of the video-recorded groups were analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis. Results: Four themes were generated from this data set. Overall, care partners perceived burden as a multifaceted construct involving emotional, financial, and societal strains. Care partners implemented strategies that enhanced communicative interactions with their loved ones and served as their own coping mechanism against the progressive nature of the disease. Cultural influences on PD management and the social and mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic also represented key themes in this study. Conclusions: Education is an empowering resource to not only navigate difficult emotions, such as uncertainty, but also debunk societal stereotyping and facilitate open communication within the relationship. The research highlighted the significance of culturally affirming services, as many participants shared experiences of medical and psychological services lacking cultural responsiveness. Guidelines for culturally responsive support groups for Hispanic/Latiné care partners should directly target psychoeducation on PD and on disease management as well as advocacy. Special consideration should be given to the needs of Hispanic/Latiné female care partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	10580360
DOI:	10.1044/2025_AJSLP-25-00053