Improving well-being of Early Head Start and Head Start educators through mindfulness
Cultivating Healthy Intentional Mindful Educators (CHIME): The Use of Mindfulness and Compassion to Promote Early Head Start/Head Start Education Staffs Well-Being
This study is testing a mindfulness program to see if it can help Early Head Start and Head Start teachers feel less stressed and improve their emotional well-being.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 860 (estimated) |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Nebraska Lincoln Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lincoln, Nebraska) |
| Trial ID | NCT05791825 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention called CHIME in enhancing the emotional well-being of educators working in Early Head Start and Head Start programs. The intervention aims to reduce work-related stress and improve social-emotional skills among educators, while also assessing potential benefits for the young children they teach. Researchers will compare the outcomes of educators who participate in CHIME with those who will participate at a later time, allowing for a rigorous evaluation of the program's impact. The study emphasizes community engagement to refine and adapt the intervention to meet the specific needs of EHS/HS staff.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are Early Head Start and Head Start educators who are currently employed and willing to participate in the CHIME intervention.
Not a fit: Individuals not involved in Early Head Start or Head Start programs, or those unable to commit to the intervention, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the emotional health and teaching practices of educators, leading to better outcomes for young children's social-emotional development.
How similar studies have performed: Previous small studies have shown promising results for the CHIME intervention in general early care settings, but this is the first rigorous test specifically in EHS/HS environments.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: There are 3 types of participants included in this study: Early Head Start/Head Start education staff who work at one of the partner sites; parents of children attending EHS or HS; children attending EHS or HS and enrolled in the classroom of a participating EHS/HS educator. Inclusion criteria for each of these groups are as follows: Early Head Start and Head Start Educators: * Provision of signed and dated informed consent form in Docusign * Currently employed as a lead or assistant educator for \>20 hours per week in a participating Head Start or Early Head Start center * Stated intention to participate in the CHIME intervention * All genders; age 19 and older * Able to complete activities in English Parents * Provision of electronically (in Docusign) /manually signed informed consent form * All genders * Age 19 and older * is Parent or legal guardian of child enrolled in the classroom of a EHS/HS educator participating in the study * Able to complete activities Children * Provision of electronically signed informed consent form by parent/legal guardian * All genders; aged \< 6 years * Enrolled in the classroom of a EHS/HS educator participating in the study * If \> 3 years, ability to complete study activities in English or with translation support Exclusion Criteria: Exclusion criteria for each of the study groups are as follows: Early Head Start and Head Start Educators: * Does not currently work at a participating HS/EHS center * younger than 19 years of age Parents * Not a parent/legal guardian of a child in an EHS/HS classroom * younger than 19 years of age Children NA, although children less than 3 years will not complete the self-regulation tasks These exclusion criteria are essential to the design of the study. The population of interest is EHS/HS education staff (e.g., teachers) working within centers that have agreed to participate in the evaluation of CHIME. The legal age of majority in Nebraska is age 19 years.
Where this trial is running
Lincoln, Nebraska
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln — Lincoln, Nebraska, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Holly Hatton-Bowers, PhD — University of Nebraska Lincoln
- Study coordinator: Holly Hatton, PhD
- Email: hattonb@unl.edu
- Phone: 4025983879
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.