Trial Outcomes & Findings for Implementing and Evaluating a Social-Emotional Learning Program for Refugee Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic (NCT NCT04931888)

NCT ID: NCT04931888

Last Updated: 2023-11-30

Results Overview

Subscale from Trait Meta Mood Scale: Attention to Feelings Score, Maximum 35 (7 questions on a 1-5 Likert scale, with 35 being the highest score and 7 being the lowest score)

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

31 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline to 4 Weeks

Results posted on

2023-11-30

Participant Flow

Unit of analysis: Family

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Intervention - Child
The child respondents for the intervention group. The intervention arm received the EMPOWER curriculum between the pre- and post-evaluations. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Intervention - Parent
The parent respondents for the intervention group. The intervention arm received the EMPOWER curriculum between the pre- and post-evaluations. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Waitlist - Child
The child respondents for the waitlist group. The waitlist control arm received the EMPOWER curriculum and/or materials for EMPOWER after the evaluations. They will receive a second set of evaluations at the same time as the "post" evaluations of the control arm. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Waitlist - Parent
The parent respondents for the waitlist group. The waitlist control arm received the EMPOWER curriculum and/or materials for EMPOWER after the evaluations. They will receive a second set of evaluations at the same time as the "post" evaluations of the control arm. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Overall Study
STARTED
17 5
5 0
6 3
3 0
Overall Study
COMPLETED
13 3
3 0
6 3
3 0
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
4 2
2 0
0 0
0 0

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Intervention - Child
The child respondents for the intervention group. The intervention arm received the EMPOWER curriculum between the pre- and post-evaluations. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Intervention - Parent
The parent respondents for the intervention group. The intervention arm received the EMPOWER curriculum between the pre- and post-evaluations. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Waitlist - Child
The child respondents for the waitlist group. The waitlist control arm received the EMPOWER curriculum and/or materials for EMPOWER after the evaluations. They will receive a second set of evaluations at the same time as the "post" evaluations of the control arm. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Waitlist - Parent
The parent respondents for the waitlist group. The waitlist control arm received the EMPOWER curriculum and/or materials for EMPOWER after the evaluations. They will receive a second set of evaluations at the same time as the "post" evaluations of the control arm. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Overall Study
Excluded families participated in EMPOWER previously
4
2
0
0

Baseline Characteristics

Young children unable to answer questions were excluded

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Intervention - Child
n=13 Participants
The Child respondents for the intervention group. The intervention arm will receive the EMPOWER curriculum between the pre- and post-evaluations. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Intervention - Parent
n=3 Participants
The Parent respondents for the intervention group. The intervention arm will receive the EMPOWER curriculum between the pre- and post-evaluations. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Waitlist - Child
n=6 Participants
The Child respondents for the intervention group. The waitlist control arm will receive the EMPOWER curriculum after the evaluations. They will receive a second set of evaluations at the same time as the "post" evaluations of the control arm. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Waitlist - Parents
n=3 Participants
The Parent respondents for the intervention group. The waitlist control arm will receive the EMPOWER curriculum after the evaluations. They will receive a second set of evaluations at the same time as the "post" evaluations of the control arm. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Total
n=25 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
9.69 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.76 • n=13 Participants
37.67 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.33 • n=3 Participants
14.33 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.51 • n=6 Participants
7.50 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.85 • n=3 Participants
28.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.0 • n=25 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
7 Participants
n=13 Participants
2 Participants
n=3 Participants
2 Participants
n=6 Participants
3 Participants
n=3 Participants
14 Participants
n=25 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
6 Participants
n=13 Participants
1 Participants
n=3 Participants
4 Participants
n=6 Participants
0 Participants
n=3 Participants
11 Participants
n=25 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Afghan (Asian)
13 Participants
n=13 Participants
3 Participants
n=3 Participants
6 Participants
n=6 Participants
3 Participants
n=3 Participants
25 Participants
n=25 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
13 Participants
n=13 Participants
3 Participants
n=3 Participants
6 Participants
n=6 Participants
3 Participants
n=3 Participants
25 Participants
n=25 Participants
Primary Language
Pashto
9 Participants
n=13 Participants
1 Participants
n=3 Participants
5 Participants
n=6 Participants
2 Participants
n=3 Participants
17 Participants
n=25 Participants
Primary Language
Dari
4 Participants
n=13 Participants
2 Participants
n=3 Participants
1 Participants
n=6 Participants
1 Participants
n=3 Participants
8 Participants
n=25 Participants
Covid Knowledge Score
3.60 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.22 • n=13 Participants • Young children unable to answer questions were excluded
4.33 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.33 • n=3 Participants • Young children unable to answer questions were excluded
3.0 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.0 • n=3 Participants • Young children unable to answer questions were excluded
3.33 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.20 • n=3 Participants • Young children unable to answer questions were excluded
3.58 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.26 • n=22 Participants • Young children unable to answer questions were excluded
Trait Meta Mood Scale
25.67 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.43 • n=6 Participants • Participants who were parents were excluded, as responses reflected children's scores. Some responses were proxy responses (parent completed on behalf of child) and some were by children. If a parent expressed the child was too young to answer or have displayed answers to these questions, they did not complete the questions.
25 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2 • n=1 Participants • Participants who were parents were excluded, as responses reflected children's scores. Some responses were proxy responses (parent completed on behalf of child) and some were by children. If a parent expressed the child was too young to answer or have displayed answers to these questions, they did not complete the questions.
25.57 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.23 • n=7 Participants • Participants who were parents were excluded, as responses reflected children's scores. Some responses were proxy responses (parent completed on behalf of child) and some were by children. If a parent expressed the child was too young to answer or have displayed answers to these questions, they did not complete the questions.
Pediatric Quality of Life Score
70 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.57 • n=13 Participants • Responses are only for child respondents, some with proxy respondents and some with child respondents.
82.5 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.87 • n=5 Participants • Responses are only for child respondents, some with proxy respondents and some with child respondents.
73.47 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.75 • n=18 Participants • Responses are only for child respondents, some with proxy respondents and some with child respondents.
Parent Afghan Symptom Checklist Score
35.33 units on a scale
n=3 Participants • Only asked of parents. To save time and build trust, this exploratory measure was not asked on follow-up.
43 units on a scale
n=3 Participants • Only asked of parents. To save time and build trust, this exploratory measure was not asked on follow-up.
39.33 units on a scale
n=6 Participants • Only asked of parents. To save time and build trust, this exploratory measure was not asked on follow-up.

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 4 Weeks

Population: Children were excluded if they or their parents were unsure how to answer. The question was only asked of and/or about child participants (not parents)

Subscale from Trait Meta Mood Scale: Attention to Feelings Score, Maximum 35 (7 questions on a 1-5 Likert scale, with 35 being the highest score and 7 being the lowest score)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention - Child
n=12 Participants
The intervention arm received the EMPOWER curriculum between the pre- and post-evaluations. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Intervention Parent
The intervention arm received the EMPOWER curriculum between the pre- and post-evaluations. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Waitlist - Child
n=2 Participants
The waitlist control arm received the EMPOWER curriculum and/or materials for EMPOWER after the evaluations. They will receive a second set of evaluations at the same time as the "post" evaluations of the control arm. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Waitlist - Parent
The waitlist control arm received the EMPOWER curriculum and/or materials for EMPOWER after the evaluations. They will receive a second set of evaluations at the same time as the "post" evaluations of the control arm. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Change in Social Emotional Competence
25.33 units on a scale
Interval 20.83 to 29.83
20.00 units on a scale
Interval 13.52 to 26.48

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 4 Weeks

Population: Young children unable to answer questions were excluded

Number Correct out of 5 (yes/no) COVID-19 Knowledge Questions. Score range 0-5, with 0 being the lowest score (incorrect for all questions), and 5 being the highest score (correct for all questions).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention - Child
n=10 Participants
The intervention arm received the EMPOWER curriculum between the pre- and post-evaluations. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Intervention Parent
n=3 Participants
The intervention arm received the EMPOWER curriculum between the pre- and post-evaluations. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Waitlist - Child
n=3 Participants
The waitlist control arm received the EMPOWER curriculum and/or materials for EMPOWER after the evaluations. They will receive a second set of evaluations at the same time as the "post" evaluations of the control arm. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Waitlist - Parent
n=3 Participants
The waitlist control arm received the EMPOWER curriculum and/or materials for EMPOWER after the evaluations. They will receive a second set of evaluations at the same time as the "post" evaluations of the control arm. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Change in COVID-19 Knowledge
4.50 score on a scale
Interval 4.01 to 5.0
4.33 score on a scale
Interval 3.48 to 5.19
4.00 score on a scale
Interval 2.74 to 5.26
5 score on a scale
Interval 5.0 to 5.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 4 Weeks

Population: Questions were only asked to or about children, not parents

Scored subscales of: emotional, social, and school functioning. Ten total questions, each scored on a 0-4 Likert scale. Scores transformed to a 0-100 scale, with higher scores indicating a higher quality of life score.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention - Child
n=13 Participants
The intervention arm received the EMPOWER curriculum between the pre- and post-evaluations. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Intervention Parent
The intervention arm received the EMPOWER curriculum between the pre- and post-evaluations. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Waitlist - Child
n=5 Participants
The waitlist control arm received the EMPOWER curriculum and/or materials for EMPOWER after the evaluations. They will receive a second set of evaluations at the same time as the "post" evaluations of the control arm. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Waitlist - Parent
The waitlist control arm received the EMPOWER curriculum and/or materials for EMPOWER after the evaluations. They will receive a second set of evaluations at the same time as the "post" evaluations of the control arm. EMPOWER: EMPOWER is an adapted social emotional learning (SEL) and wellness education initiative delivered to a community of refugee families that was developed through a pre-pilot in the New Haven Afghan refugee community in 2020. Unlike traditional school-based SEL curricula, EMPOWER partners with community organizations to provide translated and trauma-informed wellness education to family units. The program combines in-person (socially distant) and remote delivery of culturally-informed physical, emotional, and medical wellness tools adapted from evidenced-based behavioral medicine, refugee trauma and recovery, and community health research.
Change in Quality of Life
70 score on a scale
Interval 60.35 to 79.65
82.5 score on a scale
Interval 72.21 to 92.78

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Only asked of parents. To save time and build trust, this exploratory measure was not asked on follow-up because of participant burden for questions.

Population: Only asked of parents. To save time and build trust, this exploratory measure was not asked on follow-up because of participant burden for questions.

The Afhgan symptom checklist is a culturally-informed measure to evaluate distress and functioning in individuals from Afghanistan. We administered 21 of 22 questions to parents. Each question was scored on a scale of 1 to 5 (so minimum score (least distress) could be 21, and maximum score (most distressed) could be 105.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

Adverse Events

Intervention - Child

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Intervention - Parent

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Waitlist - Child

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Waitlist - Parent

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Julia Rosenberg, MD MHS

Yale University

Phone: 2037777411

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place