Mitigating the Health Effects of Systemic Racism: Evaluation of the Race-Based Stress and Trauma Empowerment Intervention

Overview

Journal Contemp Clin Trials

Publisher Elsevier

Date 2023 Feb 16

PMID 36796623

Authors

Clarice Wang

Anne Malaktaris

Caitlin L McLean

Skylar Kelsven

Gage M Chu

Keisha S Ross

Maurice Endsley Jr

Arpi Minassian

Lin Liu

Suzi Hong

Ariel J Lang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Disparities in physical and mental health among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are well-documented and mirrored in the Veteran population. Chronic stress due to racism and discrimination is one possible mechanism driving these negative health outcomes. The Race-Based Stress and Trauma Empowerment (RBSTE) group is a novel, manualized, health promotion intervention designed to address the direct and indirect impacts of racism among Veterans of Color. This paper describes the protocol of the first pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of RBSTE. This study will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of RBSTE compared to an active control (an adaptation of Present-Centered Therapy; PCT) in a Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare setting. A secondary aim is to identify and optimize strategies for holistic evaluation.

Methods: Veterans of Color (N = 48) endorsing perceived discrimination and stress will be randomized to RBSTE or PCT; both groups will be delivered in 8 weekly, 90-min virtual group sessions. Outcomes will include measures of psychological distress, discrimination and ethnoracial identity, holistic wellness, and allostatic load. Measures will be administered at baseline and post-intervention.

Conclusion: This study will inform future interventions targeting identity-based stressors and represents an important step in advancing equity for BIPOC in medicine and research.

Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT05422638.

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