Resilience for Educator Well-being

(OnWARD Trial)

Overseen By Deborah J Jones, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

640 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to evaluate how two programs—one focused on building resilience and managing stress, and the other on physical activity—affect the well-being of early childhood education (ECE) staff. It will compare the impact of these programs on staff's overall well-being and assess whether any changes persist over time. Child care center employees, whose centers have operated for at least a year and who can access online resources and receive text messages, may find this trial suitable. Participants will join either a resilience program or a physical activity program, both guided by a counselor over three months, followed by a maintenance period with access to materials. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance the well-being of ECE staff.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

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

Research has shown that the Resilience program, known as Stress Management and Resilience Training (SMART), has been safely used with public school staff. Studies have found it can enhance well-being without major side effects. Participants typically experience improved resilience and stress management skills without serious issues.

For the Physical Activity program, regular exercise is generally safe and can enhance overall health. It reduces stress and boosts both physical and mental well-being. When done properly, as in this program, no significant risks have been identified.

Both programs have been well-received in similar settings, making them a safe choice for those seeking to improve their well-being. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Resilience for Educator Well-being trial because it explores innovative approaches to enhancing mental health among educators. Unlike traditional methods that often focus solely on therapy or medication, this trial combines resilience training and physical activity, both led by a behavioral health counselor. The Resilience program provides a structured Stress Management and Resilience Training, featuring interactive modules, webinars, and personal coaching, aiming to build long-lasting coping skills. On the other hand, the Physical Activity program emphasizes regular exercise incorporated into daily routines, which is known to boost mental well-being. By integrating these unique strategies, the trial aims to discover effective ways to support educators' mental health beyond conventional options.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for educator well-being?

Research has shown that programs designed to build resilience can effectively improve the well-being of teachers and school staff. One study found that such a program led to significant improvements in their overall well-being. Another study revealed that professional development training, which includes resilience-building activities, greatly enhances teachers' resilience and well-being. In this trial, participants in the Resilience arm will receive the Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) program, which has been proven to lower stress and boost resilience among public school staff. These findings suggest that focusing on resilience could be a promising way to support educators' mental health and overall well-being.

Regarding physical activity, studies consistently show that increased activity can improve mental health and reduce stress. Regular exercise releases endorphins, chemicals in the brain that naturally lift mood. This approach also improves physical health, contributing to better overall well-being. Participants in the Physical Activity arm of this trial will engage in a structured physical activity program. Both methods offer promising ways to help educators manage stress and improve their quality of life. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Derek Hales, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Deborah Jones, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for directors and staff at early childhood education centers. Participants will engage in a program focusing on either resilience and stress management or physical activity habits and strength training, delivered remotely.

Inclusion Criteria

ECE Staff must be willing to receive text messages

Child Care Centers licensed with no plans to close in the next 2 years and been in operation for at least 1 year

ECE Staff must have access to an online resource (e.g., smartphone, tablet, computer)

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Active Intervention

Participants engage in either the Resilience or Physical Activity program, including orientation, video lessons, webinars, text messages, and coaching calls

3 months

4 coaching calls for directors, 3 webinars for all participants

Maintenance

Participants have access to program materials to maintain improvements in resilience and well-being

12 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in resilience and well-being over time

15 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Physical Activity
• Resilience

Trial Overview The study compares two programs over 15 months: one enhances resilience and stress management, while the other promotes physical activity. It measures well-being changes during active participation (3 months) and a maintenance period (12 months).

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Resilience Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Centers randomized to Resilience will receive the Stress Management And Resilience Training program. Participating staff will be led through the program by a behavioral health counselor for 3 months. This counselor will orient participants to the Resilience program and the 4 modules. The counselor will also provide 4 coaching calls with directors (at the start of each module). Additionally, the counselor will provide a webinar every 3 weeks (at the end of each module) to all participants. Participants will have access to video lessons and resources. They will receive weekly reminders and encouragement through text messages.

Group II: Physical Activity Active Control 1 Intervention

Centers randomized to the control arm will receive a physical activity program. Participating staff will be led through the program by a behavioral health counselor for 3 months. This counselor will orient participants to the physical activity program and the 4 modules. The counselor will also provide 4 coaching calls with directors (at the start of each module). Additionally, the counselor will provide a webinar every 3 weeks (at the end of each module) to all participants. Participants will have access to video lessons and resources. They will receive weekly reminders and encouragement through text messages.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,588

Recruited

4,364,000+

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Collaborator

Trials

886

Recruited

677,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Physical fitness is a key factor in building resilience, as it helps individuals withstand and recover from stressors while promoting overall health and well-being.

Regular exercise not only provides physiological and psychological benefits but also protects against chronic diseases and enhances mental toughness, which are essential for resilience, particularly in high-stress environments like the military.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical fitness: a pathway to health and resilience. Deuster, PA., Silverman, MN.[2018]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6883156/

Stress Management and Resiliency Training for Public ... The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the outcomes of a brief Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) program for public school staff.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388118305942

Stress Management and Resiliency Training for public ... This study examined outcomes of a resilience program for teachers and staff. •. A resilience program showed effectiveness for improving wellbeing amongst ...

3. ed.gov ed.gov/media/document/eirteacher-wellbeing508-107807.pdf

Approaches to Teacher Well-Being While rates of job-related stress, burnout, and lack of resilience among teachers decreased between 2021 and 2023, they remain higher than the working adult ...

4. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2346049

Professional development training can help teachers to ... The research revealed that professional development training effectively improves teachers' resilience and well-being. This study underscores ...

5. iaap-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com iaap-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aphw.70014

The effectiveness of stress management training given to first ... Data were collected using sociodemographic form, perceived stress scale, stress coping methods scale, and short psychological resilience scale.

6. prevention.psu.edu prevention.psu.edu/publication/stress-and-release-case-studies-of-teacher-resilience-following-a-mindfulness-based-intervention/

Stress and release: Case studies of teacher resilience ... Reimagining mindfulness training to deepen K-12 Teachers' social, emotional, and cultural competencies ... Strengthening child safety and well-being through ...