Race-Based Stress Trauma and Empowerment Program for Racism-Related Stress

(RBSTE Trial)

Overseen By Ariel J Lang, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Disqualifiers: Serious mental illness, substance use, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 8 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a new program designed to help Veterans of Color manage stress and discrimination. The program, called RBSTE (Race-Based Stress Trauma and Empowerment), aims to enhance mental and physical wellness by developing coping skills and empowerment. Participants will join an 8-week group focused on these goals or a similar group that provides general support and problem-solving. This trial suits BIPOC Veterans who have experienced discrimination multiple times a year and feel stressed about it. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative approaches in mental health support for Veterans of Color.

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's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that the Race-Based Stress/Trauma and Empowerment (RBSTE) program helps veterans manage stress related to racism. Participants report increased awareness of these stressors and improved coping strategies. Although the program remains under evaluation, participant feedback has been mostly positive. While specific information on negative effects is unavailable, the program aims to enhance both mental and physical health. This suggests that the program is generally well-received, with no major safety issues reported so far. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Race-Based Stress Trauma and Empowerment (RBSTE) Program because it offers a novel approach to addressing racism-related stress. Unlike conventional therapies that may focus primarily on general stress management, RBSTE emphasizes empowerment and coping specifically in the context of racial stress. This program is designed to be an 8-week health promotion group, supporting participants in building resilience and empowerment in response to experiences of racism, which is a unique and targeted approach. By focusing on empowerment, RBSTE aims to provide participants with tools to effectively navigate and mitigate the psychological impacts of racism, potentially offering benefits beyond standard stress management techniques.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for addressing racism-related stress?

Research shows that the Race-Based Stress Trauma and Empowerment (RBSTE) program, a treatment in this trial, might reduce the harmful health effects of racism and discrimination. Studies have found that ongoing stress from racism can increase emotional distress and physical health issues. The RBSTE program aims to help participants develop coping skills and feel more empowered. Early results suggest that this approach could improve mental and physical health by addressing stress from racial trauma. Although systematic evaluation remains limited, the program appears promising in helping Veterans of Color enhance their overall well-being. Another treatment arm in this trial, the PCT program, focuses on providing support and facilitating problem-solving over an 8-week period. ^{3 4 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ariel J. Lang, PhD

Principal Investigator

VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for BIPOC Veterans who can consent to study activities, have experienced discrimination 'a few times a year' or more, and feel stressed. It's not suitable for those with serious mental illness, substance abuse issues, cognitive impairments that affect group participation, or severe suicidal/homicidal tendencies.

Inclusion Criteria

Endorsing one or more perceived discrimination experiences on the Everyday Discrimination Form (short version) or the Major Experiences of Discrimination Scale (abbreviated version) 'a few times a year' or more frequently and endorsing stress on a validated single-item measure

Self-identified as a BIPOC

Able to consent to study activities

Exclusion Criteria

Serious suicidality or homicidality (e.g., ideation with plan/intent) that is likely to require urgent/emergent intervention within the study period

Serious mental illness, alcohol/substance use disorders, or cognitive impairment that may interfere with the ability to benefit from group (e.g., severe depression, psychotic illness, mania, dementia, untreated alcohol/substance dependence)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Treatment

Participants receive either RBSTE or PCT intervention in 8 weekly 90-minute group sessions

8 weeks

8 visits (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• PCT
• RBSTE

Trial Overview The RBSTE program aims to help Veterans of Color cope with race-based stress/trauma and empower them. This feasibility project will compare the effectiveness of RBSTE against a control treatment in improving overall health and wellness.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: RBSTE Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

8-week health promotion group focused on supporting coping with racism and empowerment

Group II: PCT Active Control 1 Intervention

8-week health promotion group focused on providing support and facilitating problem solving

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1551714423000411

Evaluation of the Race-Based Stress and Trauma ... Chronic stress due to racism and discrimination is one possible mechanism driving these negative health outcomes. The Race-Based Stress and Trauma Empowerment ( ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05422638?titles=RBSTE&rank=1

Race-Based Stress Trauma and Empowerment ( RBSTE ) The chronic stress of racism has both psychological and physiological effects. Discrimination is associated with increased psychological distress, including ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10389054/

Mitigating the health effects of systemic racism - PubMed Central Chronic stress due to racism and discrimination is one possible mechanism driving these negative health outcomes. The Race-Based Stress and Trauma Empowerment ( ...

4. psycnet.apa.org psycnet.apa.org/record/2024-33143-014

Race-based stress and trauma empowerment group. The impact of exposure to racism and racial trauma has received long overdue attention given the well-validated negative consequences on the health of Black ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10686550/

An Evidence-Based Approach for Treating Stress and Trauma ... In a review of the racial trauma literature, psychoeducation included educating clients that racism is a trauma and that clients may need treatment for PTSD ...

6. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/236489/race-based-stress-trauma-and-empowerment/

Race-Based Stress Trauma and Empowerment The chronic stress of racism has both psychological and physiological effects. Discrimination is associated with increased psychological ...

7. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/race-based-stress-trauma-and-empowerment-program-for-racism-related-stress-b2063

Race-Based Stress Trauma and Empowerment Program ... The project thus begins a program of research to address the health implications of systemic racism. Show more. Who Is on the Research Team? AJ.