Youth leadership and mindfulness program for adolescents
Can A Youth Leadership and Mindfulness Program Support Well-being for Youth of Color?
This study is testing a new program that teaches leadership and mindfulness skills to young people of color to see if it helps improve their mental and emotional well-being compared to a different program focused on college and career readiness.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 504 (estimated) |
| Ages | 14 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Boston University Charles River Campus Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Chicago, Illinois and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06736522 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study tests the feasibility and effectiveness of the Leadership, Engagement, and youth Activism Program with Mindfulness (LEAP), designed specifically for youth of color. The program consists of 14 two-hour sessions focusing on civic leadership, engagement, and mindfulness skills. Participants will be compared to a control group involved in a college and career readiness program called EnvisionIT. Assessments will be conducted at multiple time points to evaluate the program's impact on mental, emotional, and behavioral health outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 14 and older in grades 9-12 enrolled in partner sites in Massachusetts or Chicago.
Not a fit: Patients who have previously participated in the pilot phase or cannot commit to the full study will not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could enhance the mental health and civic engagement of youth of color, addressing health disparities.
How similar studies have performed: While similar programs have shown promise in enhancing youth engagement and wellbeing, this specific approach is novel in its focus on youth of color and mindfulness.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescents ages 14 and older in grades 9-12 during the Fall/Winter or in grades 9-11 during the Spring * Enrolled in a partner site in Massachusetts or Illinois * Adolescents are only included with parent consent and youth assent if they are under the age of 18. Adolescents at least 18 years old can provide consent. Exclusion Criteria: * They participated in the pilot phase (UG3) * They cannot commit to participation in the full study (e.g., attendance at all intervention sessions) * They are not in grades 9-12 at a partner site * Parent/guardian has a preferred consent language other than English or Spanish.
Where this trial is running
Chicago, Illinois and 1 other locations
- University of Illinois, Chicago — Chicago, Illinois, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Metco — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mario Cruz-Gonzalez, PhD — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Jennifer Greif Green, PhD
- Email: jggreen@bu.edu
- Phone: 617-353-3253
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.