SER Familia for Stress and Resilience in Latino Families

(SER Familia Trial)

Overseen By Norma Garcia-Ortiz, BS

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Duke University

Disqualifiers: Moving within two years

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 weeks

400 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a family-based program called SER Familia, designed to help Latino families manage stress and enhance resilience. Community health workers lead six sessions to reduce stress from cultural adaptation and improve family health and social connections. The trial examines how effectively this approach can prevent issues such as substance abuse, depression, and anxiety. Families who identify as Hispanic/Latino, are first-generation immigrants, have children aged 12-17, and speak English or Spanish may be suitable participants. As an unphased trial, this study offers families the chance to contribute to research that could improve community health and resilience.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the SER Familia intervention is safe?

A previous study showed that SER Familia helped participants feel safer and more connected to their communities. Family support and community health workers lead this program. No reports of serious side effects exist, as it focuses on improving family relationships and reducing stress. Since this is a behavioral program without medication, the risk of physical side effects remains very low. Participants generally report positive experiences, indicating that SER Familia is well-tolerated and safe. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the SER Familia intervention because it offers a culturally tailored approach to managing stress and building resilience in Latino families. Unlike standard interventions that might not address specific cultural nuances, SER Familia focuses on health (Salud), stress (Estrés), and resilience (Resilencia) in a way that resonates with Latino cultural values and experiences. This personalized approach aims to foster stronger family connections and coping mechanisms, potentially leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes in stress management and resilience building.

What evidence suggests that SER Familia is effective for reducing acculturative stress and promoting resilience?

Research has shown that SER Familia, which participants in this trial may receive, can help reduce stress from adapting to a new culture and increase resilience in Latino families. This type of stress, known as acculturative stress, can lead to health problems like substance abuse and depression. In past programs, all participants reported feeling safer and more connected to their communities after completing the program. This family-focused approach also aims to improve family relationships and help members make better use of community resources. Early results suggest that by strengthening family and community connections, SER Familia can help lower the risk of mental health and behavioral issues. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for first-generation immigrant Hispanic/Latino/a/x/e parents with a child aged 12-17. It aims to help families reduce stress related to adapting to a new culture and strengthen their resilience, which may improve overall health and prevent issues like substance abuse, domestic violence, HIV risk, depression, and anxiety.

Inclusion Criteria

I identify as Hispanic/Latino/a/x/e.

I am a first-generation immigrant parent.

I have a child aged 12-17.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the SER Familia intervention, consisting of six sessions delivered by community health workers to reduce acculturative stress and promote resilience

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in acculturative stress, resilience, and overall health

12 months

Long-term Follow-up

Participants' perceptions of the impact of SER Familia are assessed through semi-structured interviews

Up to 2 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• SER Familia

Trial Overview SER Familia is being tested in this study. It's a six-session program led by community health workers designed to lower acculturative stress and boost family resilience. The program also helps maintain social networks and navigate resources that address social determinants of health.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Familia SER (Salud, Estrés y Resilencia) Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will attend six intervention sessions.

Group II: Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will not receive SER Familia sessions.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Duke University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,495

Recruited

5,912,000+

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

Collaborator

Trials

473

Recruited

1,374,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06627764

Salud, Estrés y Resilencia en Familias/ Health, Stress, and ... This study aims to prevent syndemic health conditions by decreasing acculturative stress and promoting resilience via SER Familia (Salud, Estrés y Resilencia en ...

2. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11142466

SER Familia This study will examine the impact of a family-based intervention to reduce acculturative stress, promote resilience, and prevent behavioral and mental health ...

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-relationship-family-2025-aff45

SER Familia for Stress and Resilience in Latino Families This study aims to prevent syndemic health conditions by decreasing acculturative stress and promoting resilience via SER Familia (Salud, ...

4. serfamilia.org serfamilia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Ser-Familia-2024-Annual-Report.pdf

Ser Familia 2024 Annual Report 100% of survivors completing our Georgia. Latinos Against Domestic. Violence program reported feeling safer and more connected to their communities. Parents who ...

5. grantome.com grantome.com/grant/NIH/R01-MD012249-01

SER Hispano: Salud/Health, Estres/Stress, and Resiliencia ... The proposed longitudinal study (N = 385) will investigate the effects of acculturation stress and resilience on co-occurring substance abuse, intimate partner ...

6. grantome.com grantome.com/grant/NIH/R01-MD012249-02S1

SER Hispano: Salud/Health, Estres/Stress, and Resiliencia ... The proposed longitudinal study (N = 385) will investigate the effects of acculturation stress and resilience on co-occurring substance abuse, intimate partner ...

7. nationalsurvey.ap-od.org nationalsurvey.ap-od.org/2024-report/

National Latino Family Report 2024 A comprehensive study of the economic and social issues impacting Latino families with children prenatal through five years old.