Development of the Hispanic Mothers of New York Research Training Center (HiMNY-RTC)

Hispanic mothers are largely underrepresented in mental health and health disparities research. Research indicates women continue to be primary caretakers for young children in the U.S. with a significant number of these women having a serious mental illness (SMI). Further mothers with SMI are most likely underestimated as much of the data collected on this population is often based on severe incidence occurring within institutional settings. Those with lower levels of symptomatology might be overlooked as studies have shown that state and local data do not note abilities related to motherhood. Foundational knowledge on the needs of this population is necessary to create effective health promotion programs and policy that improves health outcomes for this group.

Goals and objectives:

This grant application seeks to develop a research center called the Hispanic Mothers of New York Research Training Center (HiMNY-RTC) in an effort to build research capacity at Mercy College a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Goal 1 is to recruit a diverse interdisciplinary team including a HiMNY-RTC Director research fellows student scholars individual participants from the target population and community based organizations (CBOs) an Advisory Board and Study Team. Goal 2 is to build skills in foundational research methods in maternal health and health disparities research through attendance at research seminars and conferences. Goal 3 is to increase capacity in conducting research on underrepresented Hispanic mothers by active engagement in empirical research dissemination in peer reviewed journals and preparation of one grant proposal for external funding. Goal 4 is to translate research findings into practice via presentations and development of community-based solutions. METHODS: The HiMNY-RTC seeks to build research capacity on mental health and health disparities among Hispanic mothers. To this end the RTC will develop student scholars' research capacity through training and mentored research while providing evidence-based community solutions to Hispanic mothers in the surrounding communities. The RTC will train a total of 24 student scholars and implement 2 research studies under the guidance of experts in the field with the goal of creating recommendations for action to community-based organizations to assist and provide mental health support to Hispanic mothers.

Products:

Products from the proposed study will be summary presentations to community-based organizations abstracts conference presentations peer-reviewed manuscripts action recommendations and grant submission.

Evaluation:

Project effectiveness will be evaluated through feedback from community-based organizations HiMNY-RTC Fellows HiMNY-RTC Scholars and the Advisory Board.