CHSU Discovery

Abstract: 
Introduction and Background: 
Research suggests that there are differences in how various cultural groups perceive psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAT) following psychoeducation (Carter et al., 2023), highlighting the significance of tailoring psychedelic psychoeducation to specific cultural contexts. However, limited research has focused on attitudes and perceptions regarding psychedelic therapy, especially within the Hispanic population in the United States. This study aims to explore disparities in attitudes and perceptions toward psychedelic-assisted therapy before and after psychoeducation on its therapeutic benefits among Hispanic Americans.

 
Material and Methods: 
Participants will complete a demographic survey, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Perceived Barriers to Psychological Treatment Scale, and the Psychedelic Perceptions Survey. Subsequently, they will be randomly allocated to one of two psychoeducation interventions: Intervention 1 will deliver psychoeducation on PAT within a Western framework. In contrast, Intervention 2 will contextualize the psychoeducation within Hispanic cultural perspectives. Post-intervention, participants will be reassessed using the Psychedelic Perceptions Survey. 

Results and Conclusions: 
Comparative analysis of pre-and post-intervention attitudes within each group will be conducted. The survey data aims to determine whether exposure to information about the therapeutic or cultural aspects of psychedelics influences participants’ attitudes and perceptions toward psychedelic therapeutic use. Additionally, sociodemographic variables, depressive symptomology, and perceived barriers to psychological treatment will be assessed as predictors of views and interest in PAT.