Actively Recruiting
Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Promote Mental Health and Transition Readiness in Youth With Sickle Cell Disease: A Community-Based Participatory Action Research Approach
Led by Children's Hospital Los Angeles · Updated on 2026-05-06
66
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
C
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Lead Sponsor
U
University of Southern California & Children's Hospital Los Angeles (USC-CHLA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help Black adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease cope with race-related stress. The study builds on previous findings showing ACT's potential to reduce stigma and mental health challenges, focusing on youth aged 14 to 21. It also aims to promote mental health and readiness for transitioning to adult care, using a community-based participatory action research approach. Participants will join a 10-session ACT group designed to support coping with race-related stress. The study will run three consecutive groups with approximately 8 to 10 participants per group. A waitlist control group will receive the same intervention 3 to 4 months after the intervention group completes the sessions. The intervention is delivered as part of routine clinical care at the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine. During the study, participants will engage in weekly group therapy sessions, complete assessments before and after the intervention, and again at follow-ups up to six months. Researchers will measure outcomes including race-related stress, self-efficacy in managing sickle cell disease, internalized stigma, and readiness for care transition. Additional evaluations will cover acceptance, identity, depression, and anxiety. Participants' attendance, engagement, and feedback will be closely monitored throughout the study period, which extends over several years.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adolescents and Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Be an adolescent or young adult aged 14 to 21 with sickle cell disease
- Willing to enroll in the ACT group offered by the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine and Department of Hematology and Oncology
- Be an active, waitlisted, or new patient at Children's Hospital Los Angeles
- Able to understand and speak English
- Have an English-speaking parent or guardian
- Able to provide consent or assent
- Pregnancy is allowed if consent is obtained
- Be developmentally typical
- Have stable internet access with webcam and private space for group sessions
- Consent to audio and video recording of initial interview
- Agree to attend 6 weekly ACT group sessions
- Willing to participate in the community advisory board if selected
You will not qualify if you...
- Being a prisoner or youth in detention centers
- Unable to understand or speak English
- Not having sickle cell disease
- At significant risk for suicide or self-injury
- Experiencing psychosis or severe health concerns that affect study participation
- Families requiring frequent intervention from Department of Children and Family Services
AI-Screening
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Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or virtual)
Duration - 6 weeks
Participants attend 6 weekly group sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support coping with race-related stress.
Weekly group sessions for 6 weeks
Duration - 3 months post-intervention
Participants complete assessments after the intervention and again at 3 months to evaluate outcomes.
2 visits (post-intervention and 3-month follow-up)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90027
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
X
Xzania Lee, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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