Behavioral Program to Ease Psychological Distress for Black Transgender Women Facing Chronic Stigma

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are developing and testing a community-based behavioral intervention designed to reduce psychological distress symptoms, such as post-traumatic stress and depression, caused by chronic stigma among Black transgender women. This study aims to create a culturally informed program with input from community members through focus groups and theater testing. The trial will evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of this intervention in helping participants manage psychological distress related to stigma exposure. The intervention uses an adaptive approach with seven module-based sessions chosen based on participant feedback. It combines weekly group sessions co-led by a community expert and a public health nurse with supplemental educational materials accessible online through a portal or app. Participants will also have access to social resources via the same online platform. The trial includes both in-person sessions in Atlanta, GA, and online sessions via Zoom, delivered over up to 12 weeks. Participants will be involved in multiple assessments, including surveys at baseline, mid-intervention 3-6 weeks, immediately post-intervention, and three months after completion. Researchers will track intervention retention, attendance, acceptability, accessibility, and fidelity to the program. Changes in psychological distress, including PTSD symptoms and depression scores, will also be measured. The study will monitor recruitment and retention rates, as well as participant engagement with the intervention content.

Behavioral Intervention to Reduce Stress Among Black Gender Minority Women