Pragmatic RCT of a Multi-level Mechanistically Informed Community Intervention to Prevent the Onset of Behavioral Health Symptoms Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Pandemic Affected Children
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Summary
Racial and ethnic minority children who live in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities are disproportionately impacted by pandemic and climate-induced disasters. Although effective interventions have been designed to treat mental health related symptoms in post-disaster settings, accessible, empirically supported prevention interventions are needed to prevent the onset of mental and behavioral health issues among these children. Building on our preliminary findings, the proposed study examines the efficacy and implementation of a COVID-19 adapted disaster focused prevention intervention, Journey of Hope-C19, in preventing behavioral health and interpersonal problems among racial and ethnic minority children who live in low-resource high poverty communities.
Description
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a profound impact on children globally, jeopardizing their sense of safety, security, and behavioral health. In addition to COVID-19, millions of children are still recovering from recent hurricanes that struck the southern the United States. Children exposed to climate-induced disasters (e.g. hurricanes) are at a significant risk for mental and behavioral health challenges. Coupled with an enduring pandemic, many of these children are disproportionately at risk for escalating mental health problems. Racial and ethnic minority children who live in socioeconomica…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 8–14 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * child experienced the COVID-19 pandemic and an additional large-scale disaster * child score is 5 or above on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire * child is in 3- 8th grade at enrollment * the parent or guardian must complete informed consent and child assent * child must speak English or Spanish. Exclusion Criteria: * child is currently receiving treatment for a diagnosed mental health condition * children who are not able to interact with other students in a group work format, regardless of IEP status
Interventions
- BehavioralJoH-C19
Journey of Hope- COVID 19 (JoH-C19) includes eight, 1-hour consecutive sessions delivered in groups of 8 children during the school day and in after school settings. The 1.5 hour JoH-C19 caregiver workshop is delivered with groups of 8 parents prior to the child JoH-C19 curriculum
- BehavioralSwitch off Get Active
Switch off Get Active covers 4 topics, and its eight, 1- hour sessions are delivered in groups of 8 children. The 1.5 hour Switch Off Get Active caregiver workshop is delivered with groups of 8 parents prior to the Switch off Get Active child curriculum
Locations (9)
- Boys and Girls Club of Manatee CountyBradenton, Florida
- Bay District SchoolsPanama City, Florida
- R'Club Child Care, Inc.St. Petersburg, Florida
- Communities in Schools Palm BeachWest Palm Beach, Florida
- Coalition for Compassionate SchoolsNew Orleans, Louisiana
- Communities in Schools Gulf SouthNew Orleans, Louisiana