Culturally Smart Relationships for Addressing Racism

(CSR Trial)

Overseen By Kay Thursby, MA

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Illinois at Chicago

Disqualifiers: Others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 16

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how cultural humility and social justice training for mentors, known as "Culturally Smart Relationships," can improve interactions and outcomes for low-income youth of color. Mentors in the trial are divided into two groups: one receives the special training, while the other follows regular training. The researchers aim to determine if the enhanced training leads to better support and positive changes for the youth involved. Ideal participants are youth aged 9 to 17 from racial or ethnic minority groups who qualify for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Community-Based Mentoring program.

As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance mentoring programs and support for youth.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems to focus on mentoring and cultural training rather than medical treatments.

What prior data suggests that this program is safe for mentors and youth?

Research has shown that antiracist training programs, such as the one in the Culturally Smart Relationships study, are generally safe. Studies on similar programs designed to increase cultural awareness and reduce racial bias have not reported negative effects. Participants typically find these programs manageable, experiencing no harmful side effects. These programs emphasize education and awareness, which are unlikely to cause physical harm. Although specific data on the safety of this particular program is unavailable, similar programs have been used without major issues. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Culturally Smart Relationships treatment because it takes an innovative approach to addressing racism through mentorship. Unlike traditional diversity training programs, this treatment specifically incorporates additional support and training focused on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) principles. This tailored approach aims to create more effective and culturally aware mentors, which could lead to deeper systemic changes and improved interpersonal relationships. This focus on mentorship and cultural intelligence sets it apart from other interventions that primarily rely on broad, one-size-fits-all diversity training sessions.

What evidence suggests that the Culturally Smart Relationships program is effective for improving mentor-youth interactions?

Research has shown that training programs focused on understanding different cultures and promoting fairness can change mentors' perspectives and improve their relationships with young people of color. In this trial, mentors in the "Culturally Smart Relationships" group will receive additional training and support related to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI). Studies have found that mentors who undergo this type of training are better prepared to discuss racial and ethnic issues, leading to more positive interactions with the youth they mentor. Early results suggest these programs can boost mentors' confidence and effectiveness, helping to create more supportive environments for low-income youth of color. Meanwhile, the control group will not receive this intervention and will continue with regular training activities provided by the agency. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Bernadette Sanchez, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Illinois at Chicago

David L DuBois, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Illinois at Chicago

Carla Herrera, PhD

Principal Investigator

Herrera Consulting Group, LLC

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This study is for low-income youth of color aged 10-16 eligible for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, and their parents who can engage in English or Spanish. It's also for mentors accepted into this mentoring program. Those not fitting these criteria are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

Youth is eligible for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Community-Based Mentoring (CBM) program as determined by initial assessment of program staff

Mentors are eligible for the study if they are applying and accepted to the CBM program and are eventually matched with a youth who meet the study criteria above or currently in an existing match with a youth who meet eligibility criteria.

Youth is a member of a racial/ethnic minority group, such as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American/Native Alaskan/Native Hawaiian, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern/North African or Arab American

Exclusion Criteria

Anyone who doesn't meet the above inclusion criteria

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Mentors receive cultural humility and social justice training and support, while control group receives regular training

12 months

Surveys at baseline, 4 months, and 12 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in mentor-youth interactions and youth outcomes

12 months

Surveys and interviews at 12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Culturally Smart Relationships

Trial Overview The trial tests a cultural humility and social justice training program for volunteer mentors to see if it improves interactions with youth and the effectiveness of mentorship programs. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive this training or be placed in a control group without it.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Culturally Smart Relationships Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The mentors assigned to this group will receive additional trainings and support related to Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI).

Group II: Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

The mentors assigned to this group will NOT receive an intervention. They will receive the regular training activities that the agency provides.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Illinois at Chicago

Lead Sponsor

Trials

653

Recruited

1,574,000+

William T. Grant Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

6

Recruited

13,200+

Herrera Consulting Group, LLC

Collaborator

Trials

3

Recruited

2,300+

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

2,200+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11761719/

The effectiveness of providing training and ongoing ... The aim of this randomized control trial is to test the impact of providing additional training and support to volunteers who are paired with youth of color.

2. goodday.health goodday.health/trials/5391711

2021-0495 - Culturally Smart Relationships Study - GoodDay The aim of this study is to examine whether and how the provision of a cultural humility and social justice training and support program to volunteer ...

3. trial.medpath.com trial.medpath.com/clinical-trial/68c84cfca43e114f/cultural-humility-social-justice-training-program

Culturally Smart Relationships Study | MedPath The aim of this study is to examine whether and how the provision of a cultural humility and social justice training and support program to volunteer ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/354771891_Anti-Racism_Education_and_Training_for_Adult_Mentors_Who_Work_With_BIPOC_Adolescents

Anti-Racism Education and Training for Adult Mentors Who ... We review research showing how mentors' attitudes about race, ethnicity and culture can harm their relationships with BIPOC youth and research on general mentor ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6191051/

Pilot study of an intervention to increase cultural ... Study findings indicate that the CAM training holds promise to build research mentors' capacity and confidence to engage directly with racial/ethnic topics in ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10773383/

Experimental studies testing interventions to promote cultural ... Racism systematically reflects and reinforces behaviours, beliefs, racial prejudices, practices and policies based on race, ethnicity, culture ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735823001319

Antiracist training programs for mental health professionals Colorblindness is a racial ideology that postulates that the best way to end racism is to treat individuals as equally as possible, regardless of their racial, ...

8. pubs.asha.org pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2024_PERSP-23-00151

Culturally Responsive Practices in Gender-Affirming Voice ... A systematic review of the relationship between discrimination, racism, and type 2 diabetes healthcare outcomes for Black Americans. Journal of Racial and ...

9. jediheart.com jediheart.com/blog-posts/4-ways-white-supremacy-culture-hinders-jedi-progress

Four Ways White Supremacy Culture Hinders ... Stand Up for Racial Justice provides a great explanation: We believe it is important to use the term "white supremacy culture" because the norms ...