Fuerte Program for Psychological Trauma in Immigrant Youth

(Fuerte Trial)

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco

Disqualifiers: Non-Spanish speaker, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 6-8 weeks

400 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on a school-based program for mental health support.

What data supports the effectiveness of the Fuerte treatment for psychological trauma in immigrant youth?

The PATH program, which is similar to Fuerte, has shown promise in reducing trauma symptoms in Latinx youth by integrating trauma-informed care with positive psychology and resilience strategies. Additionally, school-based interventions like TF-CBT have been effective in treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression in immigrant youth, suggesting that culturally adapted, trauma-informed treatments can be beneficial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Fuerte Program for Psychological Trauma in Immigrant Youth safe for participants?

The research articles provided do not contain specific safety data for the Fuerte Program or similar treatments like PATH. However, they emphasize the importance of culturally appropriate trauma-focused interventions for immigrant youth, suggesting a focus on mental health support rather than specific safety concerns. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

How is the Fuerte treatment different from other treatments for psychological trauma in immigrant youth?

The Fuerte treatment is unique because it is specifically designed for immigrant youth, focusing on culturally and linguistically appropriate methods to address trauma related to migration and caregiver deportation. It integrates trauma-informed care with positive psychology and resilience-building, which are not typically emphasized in standard treatments for PTSD and anxiety in this population. ^{1 2 3 7 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The present study is a randomized control trial to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of a school-based group prevention program (Fuerte) in San Francisco Unified School District Public Schools. In addition, the present study will also inform effective procedures for adaptations of the Fuerte program for other newcomer immigrant youth from non-Latin American countries. Fuerte targets newcomer Latinx immigrant youth (five years or less post arrival in the U.S.) who are at risk of experiencing traumatic stress. In particular, the Fuerte program focuses on increasing youth's mental health literacy, improving their social functioning, and identifying and connecting at-risk youth to specialty mental health services. The program will be implemented by mental health providers from various county community-based organizations, as well as from the SFUSD Wellness Centers, who already offer mental health services in SFUSD schools.

Research Team

William Martinez, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of California, San Francisco

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for newcomer Latinx immigrant youth in San Francisco Unified School District, aged 12-18, who arrived in the U.S. within the last five years and speak Spanish or Arabic fluently. It's aimed at those who haven't completed the Fuerte program before and are at risk of traumatic stress.

Inclusion Criteria

You are employed by an organization that helps Arabic-speaking families in San Francisco with their education, mental health, and social needs.

I am fluent in Spanish.

You must have helped lead a Fuerte group or worked for a school/community organization that implemented a Fuerte group after 2019.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the Fuerte prevention program in a group format over the span of six to eight weeks

6-8 weeks

Weekly group sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in mental health literacy, social functioning, and service access

3 months

Follow-up assessments immediately after intervention and 3 months post intervention

Focus Groups

Focus groups held to assess program effectiveness and gather feedback for adaptation

1 session

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Fuerte

Trial Overview The study tests 'Fuerte,' a school-based group prevention program designed to improve mental health literacy, social functioning, and connect at-risk youth with specialized mental health services. The effectiveness of adapting Fuerte for non-Latin American immigrants will also be assessed.

Participant Groups

Group I: Fuerte Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group will receive the Fuerte prevention program over the span of six to eight weeks.

Group II: Delayed waitlist control Active Control 1 Intervention

This group will be the delayed waitlist control group. They will not receive the Fuerte prevention program until the following semester.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, San Francisco

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,636

Recruited

19,080,000+

San Francisco Department of Public Health

Collaborator

Trials

38

Recruited

36,000+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A novel multifamily treatment targeting symptoms related to Latinx caregiver deportation. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Immigrant Trauma and Mental Health Outcomes Among Latino Youth. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Trauma Without Borders: The Necessity for School-Based Interventions in Treating Unaccompanied Refugee Minors. [2019]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effectiveness of Cultural Adjustment and Trauma Services (CATS): generating practice-based evidence on a comprehensive, school-based mental health intervention for immigrant youth. [2019]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Positive adaptations for trauma and healing (PATH), a pilot study of group therapy with Latino youth. [2023]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Immigration Trauma among Hispanic Youth: Missed by Trauma Assessments and Predictive of Depression and PTSD Symptoms. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Migration-related trauma and mental health among migrant children emigrating from Mexico and Central America to the United States: Effects on developmental neurobiology and implications for policy. [2023]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of an Evidence-Based Psychotherapy for Trauma-Exposed Children in a Lower-Middle Income Country: the Use of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in El Salvador. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Violence, Place, and Strengthened Space: A Review of Immigration Stress, Violence Exposure, and Intervention for Immigrant Latinx Youth and Families. [2021]