Cuento therapy: A culturally sensitive modality for Puerto Rican children.

Epidemiological studies indicate that Hispanics underutilize community mental health facilities in proportion to their needs and often fail to benefit from traditional psychotherapeutic services. The present study investigated the effectiveness of a modeling therapy designed to be sensitive to Hispanic culture. In one version of the modality, cuentos (folktales) from Puerto Rican culture were used to present models of adaptive behavior and in another version folktales were tailored to bridge Puerto Ricans' bicultural conflict. 210 high-risk children from kindergarten through the 3rd grade and their mothers were randomly assigned to receive either cuento therapy, traditional art/play therapy, or no therapy. Results indicate that cuento therapy significantly reduced children's trait anxiety, as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, relative to traditional therapy and to no intervention and that this trend was stable over 1 yr. The cuento modalities also increased Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children—Revised (WISC—R) Comprehension subtest scores and decreased observer-rated aggression. The need to develop and evaluate culturally sensitive therapeutic modalities for Hispanics is discussed. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)