Resilience versus physical activity to improve early childhood educators' well-being
Official title: A Cluster-randomized Control Trial of a Workplace Resilience Intervention for Child Care Providers' Mental Health & Well-being
Run by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · NCT06919952 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether a remote resilience program or a remote physical activity program helps early childhood education staff improve their well-being.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 99 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 640 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 11, 2025 |
| Main results expected | February 2028 |
| Study ends | February 2029 |
| Registry record updated | September 8, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06919952 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are English-speaking child care center staff aged 18 or older who work at licensed centers with at least four employees and who have access to an online device and can receive text messages.
✕Probably not a fit
People who are not childcare workers, cannot read English, lack reliable internet or a device for online materials, or work at centers planning to close would be unlikely to participate or benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a 15-month, cluster-randomized trial that will randomize 80 early childhood education (ECE) centers (about 640 staff including 80 directors) to either a remotely delivered Resilience program or a remotely delivered Physical Activity program. Each program is delivered over four modules across three months with orientation, video lessons, three webinars, frequent text messages, and director coaching calls, followed by a 12-month maintenance period with access to materials only. Outcomes are measured at baseline, 3 months (post-intervention), and at 9 and 15 months to track both short-term change and longer-term maintenance. The primary focus is on changes in resilience assets, overall well-being, and organizational resources among ECE staff.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the programs could increase resilience and overall well-being among ECE staff and help sustain improvements over a year, potentially reducing burnout and improving workplace functioning.
How similar studies have gone: Previous workplace resilience and physical activity programs have shown modest improvements in mental health and well-being in other worker groups, but direct, head-to-head randomized comparisons in ECE settings are limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Child Care Centers * Licensed with no plans to close in the next 2 years * Been in operation for at least 1 year * Has at least 4 employees ECE Staff * Must be at least 18 years old * Be able to read and speak English * Must have access to an online resource (e.g., smartphone, tablet, computer) * Must be willing to receive text messages Exclusion Criteria: * None
Where it's running
-
UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Derek Hales, PhD — University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Regan V Burney, PhD
- Email: reganb@email.unc.edu
- Phone: 336-71-7459
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.