Black Youth M.A.T.T.E.R: Positive Youth Development Group Intervention

NCT03804242 | Unknown Early Phase 1

• 1 other identifier: APP-18-07635
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

One in three Black boys born today in the United States will be incarcerated at some point in their lifetime, compared to one in 17 White boys. Black males are more likely to be arrested, convicted, and given unfair sentences. Black youth comprise of 16% of the Nation's public schools, but account for 32% of suspended students. For over 30 years, research has consistently highlighted the disproportionately severe disciplinary practices used with Black male students.Consistent research demonstrates that students who are suspended or expelled tend to drop out of school and/or become incarcerated in a juvenile detention center. Black students may relate their racial-ethnic identity, such as their understanding of their race and ethnicity, to academic success. Moreover, their attitudes may result from the expectation of their teachers. It is imperative that advocates devoted to positive youth development intervene to this issue negatively affecting the well-being of Black youth. Under the mentorship of Caitlin Sayegh, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow Tierra Ellis, Ph.D., has developed a 9-session group intervention called Black Youth M.A.T.T.E.R. (BYM), which aims to debunk mental health stigma, help children shift their cognitive distortions about education, and normalize their experiences through group activities, while introducing them to advocacy and self-empowerment. This intervention may decrease mental health symptoms, increase motivation to approach goal-oriented outcomes, and reverse internalized beliefs and attitudes which may foster more positive perceptions related to school.

Conditions

Depression, Anxiety

Keywords

positive youth development; school-to-prison pipeline; mental health stigma; help-seeking; identity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms

  Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale. The T-score related to Total Anxiety and Depression score will be examined (ranging from 26 to \>80). Higher scores indicate increased depression and anxiety symptoms.

  61 weeks

• Change in trauma symptoms

  Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children: Examining Posttraumatic Stress T-score (ranging from 26 to \>80), where higher scores indicated greater PTSD symptoms.

  61 weeks

• Change in Youth Reporting Substance Use

  Youth Risk Behavior Survey. We will examine dichotomous use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs

  61 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Resiliency

  61 weeks

• Change in Levels of Help-Seeking

  61 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Black Youth M.A.T.T.E.R.

EXPERIMENTAL

The session topics are as follows: (1) Debunking the Stigma of Mental Health in the Black Community, (2) School to Prison Pipeline, (3) Achievement Gap, (4) Cultural Barrier that Black Students Experience with Teachers, (5) Trauma 101, (6) Trauma 102, (7) Actions of Today, Blueprints for Tomorrow: Youth Organizing to Transform Education film, (8) My Voice Will Be Heard (Part I), and (9) My Voice Will Be Heard (Part II). The intervention will be conducted in 2-hour weekly group sessions.

Behavioral: Black Youth M.A.T.T.E.R.: Molding Young Advocates While Transforming the School to Prison Pipeline Through Psychological Services Education and Resilience

Usual Care

NO INTERVENTION

All participants already participate in Youth Justice Coalition's Free LA High School. Those in control condition will participate in educational activities as usual.

Interventions

Black Youth M.A.T.T.E.R.: Molding Young Advocates While Transforming the School to Prison Pipeline Through Psychological Services Education and Resilience BEHAVIORAL

This is a group psychoeducational and positive youth development intervention for students who have been expelled from school and are now enrolled in a specialized school at Youth Justice Coalition.

Black Youth M.A.T.T.E.R.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 15 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Black adolescents attending Youth Justice Coalition Free LA High School who have been suspended or expelled from their respective schools due to behavioral problems

You may not qualify if:

• Active psychosis or suicidal ideation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Children's Hospital Los Angeles: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression; Anxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Mental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Caitlin S Sayegh, Ph.D.

CONTACT

323-361-7748; cssayegh@chla.usc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: early phase 1
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Participants, school staff, researchers, and outcome assessor will all be aware of condition assignment
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

Model Details: Randomized controlled pilot trial of intervention versus usual care

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 9, 2019
• First Posted: January 15, 2019
• Study Start: April 1, 2019
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2020
• Study Completion: August 1, 2020
• Last Updated: January 15, 2019

Record last verified: 2019-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share