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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04979481

BRAVE Study: Designing and Evaluating Technologies to Promote Adolescent Mental Health

The BRAVE study is a randomized controlled trial carried out by the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board and the mHealth Impact Lab. The team recruited 2,330 AI/AN teens and young adults nationwide (15-24 years old) via social media channels and text message and enrolled 1,030 to participate in the 9-month study. Teens and young adults enrolled in the study received either: 8 weeks of BRAVE text messages designed to improve mental health, help-seeking skills, and promote cultural pride and resilience; or 8 weeks of Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) text messages, designed to elevate and re-affirm Native voices in science, technology, engineering, math and medicine; and then received the other set of messages. Retention in the study was high, with 87% of participants completing both BRAVE and STEM intervention arms.

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Key information

Conditions

Mental Health Wellness 1

Age range

15 year–24 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

NPAIHB

Portland, Oregon, 97021, United States

About this study

There are approximately 2.1 million self-identified American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN or Native) youth under the age of 24 living in the United States. Like many teens, AI/AN youth report frequent technology use and poor mental health outcomes, including trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidality.

To support Native youth, the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) launched We R Native in 2012, a holistic health resource for Native youth, by Native youth (www.weRnative.org).

While this broad reach and utilization is promising, more focused research is needed to better understand the acceptability and usability of the mental health messages delivered by We R Native, and systematic research is needed to determine whether We R Native's messages actually improve mental health and resilience, teach mental health skills (like coping skills, mindfulness, help-seeking, and use of suicide prevention chat-lines, etc.), and promote healthy social norms - all protective factors against suicide and substance abuse.

Housed at the Colorado School of Public Health, the mission of the mHealth Impact Lab is to facilitate the rapid and rigorous development, implementation, and evaluation of mobile and digital technology for health promotion and disease prevention that address inequalities in health outcomes.

The research teams tested whether We R Native's BRAVE messages improved self-efficacy and behaviors related to mental health, resilience, and cultural pride; as well as the relative impact of user engagement.

The BRAVE study will improve the relevance, efficacy, and utilization of mental health resources delivered through We R Native' messaging channels - reaching a high-risk, underserved population - and will create new mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the impact of mHealth interventions. Both teams are committed to sharing resultant data collection tools and processes with those working in the field.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • The study included self-identified American Indian and Alaska Native youth
  • Age 15-24 years old

Exclusion criteria

-Participants were required to have a cell phone with text message capabilities

Treatment and study plan

BRAVE

Behavioral

The BRAVE campaign included 3-5 text messages per week for 8 weeks, including 1 role model video per week and a related image. The role model videos (1-3 minutes each) featured relatable characters experiencing and addressing violent behavior, alcohol misuse, and suicidality (through the eyes of a perpetrator, an intimate partner violence survivor, and a peer bystander), intended to demonstrated important coping and help-seeking skills.

STEM

Behavioral

The STEM campaign included 3-5 text messages per week for 8 weeks, including 1 role model video per week and a related image. The series promoted STEM career pathways and highlighted Native professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medical careers.

Primary outcomes

  1. Health

    Time frame: Up to 8 months

    Changes in mean scores of perceived mental, physical, and spiritual health

  2. Resilience

    Time frame: Up to 8 months

    Proportion of respondents that report higher mean scores on resilience

  3. Positive Coping

    Time frame: Up to 8 months

    Proportion of respondents that report higher mean scores of coping skills

  4. Self-esteem

    Time frame: Up to 8 months

    Proportion of respondents who report higher mean scores of self-satisfaction, having good qualities, pride, self-worth, and self-respect

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board

Other

Collaborators

  • mHealth Impact Lab

Registry information

Official study title

We R Native: Designing and Evaluating Technologies to Promote Adolescent Mental Health

Acronym: BRAVE

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Jul 28, 2021
Registry last updated
Sep 8, 2021

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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