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(OR03-04-26) A Multi-Phase Protocol for the Formative Development, Adaptation, and Pilot Testing of a Coping Focused mHealth Intervention for Food Insecure Mothers

Saturday, July 25, 2026
8:54 AM - 9:06 AM ET
Location: National Harbor 10-11

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Rachel Liebe, PhD, MPH

    Assistant Professor
    Oklahoma State University
    Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Tuba Khan, MS, MPH, BDS

    Graduate Research Assistant
    Oklahoma State University
    Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • AB

    Ashlea Braun

    University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, United States

  • SM

    Sarah A. Misyak, PhD., MPH

    Virginia Tech
    Blacksburg, Virginia, United States

  • HD

    Heather Davis, PhD.

    Virginia Tech
    Blacksburg, United States

Disclosure(s):
Rachel Liebe, PhD, MPH: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Objectives: Food insecurity (FIS) among mothers is linked to significantly higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Mothers experiencing FIS often desire to make positive health behavior changes but face substantial cognitive demands that limit their mental bandwidth. Strengthening psychological coping may improve tolerance to hardship and create capacity for behavior change. The primary objective of this study is to co-design, develop, and pilot a cognitive behavioral therapy-informed mHealth intervention for mothers experiencing FIS that aims to strengthen coping skills.

Methods: A sequential, dual-phase, mixed-method study is being conducted to co-design and pilot test the feasibility, usability, and preliminary efficacy of the mHealth intervention. Intervention design is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy, and materials are developed based on preliminary evidence and the expertise of the research team. Phase I (formative evaluation) will focus on the co-designing of intervention materials with a Community Advisory Board (CAB) of mothers (n=10) with lived experience of FIS. Feedback on all intervention materials will be collected through semi-structured Zoom interviews, which will help achieve cultural relevance and acceptability, thereby improving feasibility and acceptability. Phase II (proof-of-concept trial) of this project is a single-arm pre-post design (n=30) to assess the mHealth coping intervention's usability, feasibility, and initial efficacy. The intervention will be implemented over 8 weeks, with each week intentionally building on the last, and will support behavior change and psychological well-being. Process evaluation will assess intervention usability and acceptability using quantitative and qualitative methods. Preliminary outcome evaluation will assess household food security, anxiety and depressive symptoms, dietary intake, and coping strategies with validated measures.

Results: N/A

Conclusions: Results will inform the development of scalable interventions that strengthen coping resources to improve maternal mental health and support sustainable improvements in household food security.

Funding Sources: Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) and OU TSET Health Promotion Research Center