Ann Behav Med. 2025 Jan 4;59(1):kaaf034. doi: 10.1093/abm/kaaf034.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Previous research has examined the deleterious impact of racial stress on African Americans’ mental and physical health; however, few interventions have focused on utilizing culturally salient protective factors to buffer the effect of racial stress on physical health outcomes.
PURPOSE: This pilot feasibility trial assessed the preliminary impact of Linking Exercise for Advancing Daily Stress (LEADS) Management and Resilience, a cultural and family-based resilience intervention aiming to increase physical activity and improve coping in overweight African American adolescents (N = 23 adolescent-caregiver dyads; adolescent Mage 14.0 ± 2.2; MBMI percentile 97.8; 61.9% female; Parents Mage 46.4 ± 8.8; MBMI 41.2 ± 7.6; 100.00% female).
METHODS: The 10-week feasibility trial tested an online family-based group resilience and health promotion program compared to an online health education only program.
RESULTS: Process evaluation demonstrated high feasibility and acceptability of both group programs. As hypothesized, among adolescents, the treatment means reflect an average increase of 4.31 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in the intervention group compared to an average decrease of 7.84 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in the health education group. For light physical activity, treatment means reflect an average increase of 11.08 min/day in the intervention group and an average decrease of 2.56 min/day in the health education group. Also, the intervention adolescents and parents had greater engagement in adaptive coping skills (active coping, religion to cope, cognitive reframing) from baseline to post-treatment than the health education group, and greater reductions in maladaptive, and passive coping skills (self-distraction) than the health education group.
CONCLUSIONS: This pilot feasibility trial demonstrates the acceptabity and feasibiity of integrating culturally sensitive strength-based interventions for African American families to promote health promotion behaviors and coping.
PMID:40380317 | DOI:10.1093/abm/kaaf034
