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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06786741

Afghan Evacuee Resettlement for Stronger Communities (AER)

Background. Under Operation Allies Welcome, approximately 88,500 Afghan evacuees have resettled in the United States (US). Evacuees face unique integration, well-being, and mental health challenges. Settlement is nationwide, including key locations of Illinois (IL) and Tennessee (TN).

Study aims. In the proposed study, investigators will pilot test a 3-week culturally responsive and flexible, sprint (rapid) intervention, AER (Afghan Evacuee Resettlement) for Stronger Communities, with Afghan evacuees in IL and TN. A beta version of the first-ever AI platform, Dost, for Afghan evacuees will also be tested. Innovation. This is the first flexible and culturally responsive intervention and AI app created for Afghan evacuees to be delivered in English and Dari.

Up-to-date data from evacuees over the past year inform this intervention. Methods. To pilot test the intervention, a randomized control trial (RCT) with an optional waitlist will be conducted with approx. 50-60 evacuees across IL and TN. Community liaisons from partner agencies will also be recruited for intervention delivery. Participants in the intervention group will also be able to access the AI platform. Evacuees and liaisons will be invited to provide feedback on the intervention and evacuees will be invited to provide feedback on the platform. Expected results. Investigators expect to test the central hypothesis of the study, that individuals who receive the sprint intervention and access the AI platform will have reduced stress outcomes (integration, social relationships, and mental health) compared to those who do not. Impact. Findings will build new evidence for migrants in Chicago and nationally. This project will also further interdisciplinary collaboration across Loyola University Chicago and beyond.

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Key information

Conditions

Stress Reduction Emotional Wellbeing Healthy Relationships

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Loyola University

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

About this study

Background. Under Operation Allies Welcome, approximately 88,500 Afghan evacuees have resettled in the United States (US). Evacuees face unique integration, well-being, and mental health challenges. Settlement is nationwide, including key locations of Illinois (IL) and Tennessee (TN).

Study aims. In the proposed study, investigators will pilot test a 3-week culturally responsive and flexible, sprint (rapid) intervention, AER (Afghan Evacuee Resettlement) for Stronger Communities, with Afghan evacuees in IL and TN. A beta version of the first-ever AI platform, Dost, for Afghan evacuees will also be tested. Innovation. This is the first flexible and culturally responsive intervention and AI platform created for Afghan evacuees to be delivered in English and Dari.

Up-to-date data from evacuees over the past year inform this intervention. Methods. To pilot test the intervention, a randomized control trial (RCT) with an optional waitlist will be conducted with 50-60 evacuees across IL and TN. Community liaisons from partner agencies will also be recruited for intervention delivery. Participants in the intervention group will also be able to access the AI platform. Evacuees and liaisons will be invited to provide feedback on the intervention and evacuees will be invited to provide feedback on the platform. Expected results. Investigators expect to test the central hypothesis of the study, that individuals who receive the sprint intervention and access the AI platform will have reduced stress outcomes (integration, social relationships, and mental health) compared to those who do not. Impact. Findings will build new evidence for migrants in Chicago and nationally. This project will also further interdisciplinary collaboration across Loyola University Chicago and beyond.

The project is closely aligned with the priorities of the Schreiber Venture Fund that funded the pilot testing. Ultimately, findings will also lay the foundation for a future R01 NIH grant and have transdisciplinary implications.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

  • 18 years old or older, resettled to US post-2021 from Afghanistan
  • speaks English or Dari
  • has access to smart phone.

Treatment and study plan

AER for Stronger Communities

Behavioral

3 week rapid intervention aimed at reducing stress.

Placebo Comparator

Other

3 week short video program (control)

Primary outcomes

  1. Stress reduction

    Time frame: Weeks 0, 1, 2,3, 4-week follow up

    Reduced stress as measured by PSS-4 instrument (0=never, 1=almost never, 2=sometimes, 3=fairly often, 4=very often

    *some scoring and questions were modified to make them culturally responsive.

  2. Integration

    Time frame: Weeks 0, 1, 3, 4-week follow up

    IPL Integration Index (1 to 5, 1 low, and 5 is high); Economic self-efficacy (1=strongly disagree, 2=disagree, 3=neutral, 3=agree, 5=strongly agree)

    *some scoring and questions were modified to make them culturally responsive.

  3. Healthy Relationships

    Time frame: Weeks 0, 2, 3, 4-week follow up

    Healthy relationships as measured by Relationship Assessment Scale (1=low, 2, 3, 4, 5=high); Brief Family Relationship Scale (1=strongly disagree, 2=disagree, 3=neutral, 4=agree, 5=strongly agree); Gender role beliefs scale (1=strongly agree, 2=moderately agree, 3=slightly agree, 4=undecided, 5=slightly disagree, 6=moderately disagree, 7=strongly disagree.

    *some scoring and questions were modified to make them culturally responsive.

  4. Emotional Wellbeing

    Time frame: Weeks 0, 3, 4-week follow up

    Emotional wellbeing as measured by Post-migration stress scale (1=never, 2=seldom, 3=sometimes, 4=often, 5=very often), brief Cope inventory (1=haven't been doing this at all, 2=been doing a little bit, 3=doing this a medium amount, 4=doing this a lot)

    *some scoring and questions were modified to make them culturally responsive.

  5. Psychological distress

    Time frame: Weeks 0, 1, 2,3, 4-week follow up

    Kessler-6 to measure psychological distress (1=all of the time, 2=most of the time, 3=some of the time, 4=a little of the time, 5=none of the time)

    *some scoring and questions were modified to make them culturally responsive.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Loyola University Chicago

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Culturally Responsive Intervention Incorporating AI to Promote Healthy Integration Among Afghan Evacuees in Illinois and Tennessee (Pilot Study)

Acronym: AER

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jan 22, 2025
Registry last updated
Jan 24, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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