Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adolescents and Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease
Purpose
The current study seeks to build on previous research that demonstrates the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in combating stigma by investigating the feasibility and acceptability of a protocol to support Black adolescents and young adults in coping with race related stress. The study will consist of a small, purposeful, non-randomized sample (N = 30) of clients enrolled into a 10-session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy group. The group will be offered as part of regular clinical care at the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine. Three consecutive groups will be run with approximately 8-10 participants in each group over the next year.
Conditions
- Race-related Stress
- Depression, Anxiety
- Quality of Life
- Stress Reaction
Eligibility
- Eligible Ages
- Between 14 Years and 21 Years
- Eligible Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
for study participation are Be an adolescent and/or young adult (age 14-21) who has Sickle Cell Disease Willing to enroll in the ACT group jointly provided by the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine/Department of Hematology and Oncology Participants can be active, waitlisted, or new patients at CHLA Participants must be able to understand and speak English, as the therapy will only be delivered in English Participants must have an English-speaking parent/guardian Able to provide consent/assent An adolescent or young adult that is pregnant is eligible to participate if consent can be obtained Participants must be developmentally typical Have a stable internet connection (via computer, tablet, or phone) with access to a webcam and a private space to engage in a group therapy sessions; Must consent to audio and video recording of initial interview. Must agree to attend 6 weekly ACT group session Youth participants will be asked to become a member of the CAB. To become a CAB member, the youth participant must consent/assent to participation in the ACT intervention. If a CAB member, they must be willing to engage in CAB interviews and meetings. The
Exclusion Criteria
are: Prisoners or youth in detention centers Unable to understand or speak English Does not have SCD Clients who are at significant risk for suicide and self-injury will be excluded due to the intense levels of support required to support these individuals which would interfere with study procedures. Adolescents with families that require frequent intervention from the Department of Children and Family Services, are currently experiencing psychosis, or have severe health concerns that will impact study participation or attendance will be excluded.
Study Design
- Phase
- Phase 1/Phase 2
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- N/A
- Intervention Model
- Crossover Assignment
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None (Open Label)
Arm Groups
| Arm | Description | Assigned Intervention |
|---|---|---|
|
Experimental Acceptance Commitment Therapy |
This study will use a 10-session ACT protocol to support Black adolescents and young adults in coping with race related stress. |
|
|
No Intervention Control Group |
Waitlist control group that will receive the intervention 3-4 months after the intervention group concludes. |
|
Recruiting Locations
More Details
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles