Stress, Psychological, Stress Reaction, Telomere Shortening
Conditions
Brief summary
The investigators will test the efficacy of our proposed intervention to reduce embodied stress in four racial/ethnic groups (Black, Latinx, Pilipinx, and Pacific Islander) as a preventative intervention for health disparities found in these communities. The intervention is comprised of two phases. The first consists of community nature walks in a pristine redwood forest for six months. This is followed by chosen nature activities with family and/or friends for three months. The investigators will test the ability of these activities in nature to reduce chronic stress that underpins many health disparities using validated biological, behavioral, and sociocultural measures. The use of these measures is in alignment with the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) Research Framework, and will increase understanding of individual, interpersonal, community, and social level factors that lead to, and that can eliminate health disparities.
Detailed description
The investigators will test the efficacy of our proposed intervention to reduce embodied stress in four racial/ethnic groups (Black, Latinx, Pilipinx, and Pacific Islander) as a preventative intervention for health disparities found in these communities. The intervention is comprised of two phases. The first consists of community nature walks in a pristine redwood forest for six months. This is followed by chosen nature activities with family and/or friends for three months. The investigators will test the ability of these activities in nature to reduce chronic stress that underpins many health disparities using validated biological, behavioral, and sociocultural measures. The use of these measures is in alignment with the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) Research Framework, and will increase understanding of individual, interpersonal, community, and social level factors that lead to, and that can eliminate health disparities.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALReclaiming Nature Intervention
The purpose of the community intervention is to prevent health disparities in Black, Latinx, Pilipinx, and Pacific Islander communities of San Francisco, California.
Sponsors
University of California, San Francisco
Charlotte Tate
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Masking description
Since the study is a waitlisted control, all participants are aware of which condition they are in at any time.
Intervention model description
Waitlist control design
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion critieria: * 18 years or older * able to commit to a 9-month Nature Intervention (6-month walks; 3-month chosen nature activity) * spoken languages: English, Spanish, or Tagalog * able-bodied as in must be able to walk.
Exclusion criteria
* pregnant women (and other gender identities who are pregnant) * prisoners * cognitively impaired
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Telomere Length | Baseline (pre-intervention), during intervention, immediate post-intervention, 3 months after intervention | Relative Telomere Length in the name of the outcome measure. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hair cortisol concentration | Baseline (pre-intervention), during intervention, immediate post-intervention, 3 months after intervention | Hair cortisol concentration in the name of the outcome measure. |
| Self-reported stress (extent of) | Baseline (pre-intervention), during intervention, immediate post-intervention, 3 months after intervention | Cohen Stress Scale (Likert-type self-reported measurement) in the name of the outcome measure. |
| Positive mood (extent of) | Baseline (pre-intervention), during intervention, immediate post-intervention, 3 months after intervention | Positive And Negative Affect Scale International version (PANAS-I) (Likert-type self-reported measurement) |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Heart rate (average of beats per minute over days) | Baseline (pre-intervention), during intervention, immediate post-intervention, 3 months after intervention | average beats per minute over days assessed by rate hear application on phones |
| Sleep quality (extent of) | Baseline (pre-intervention), during intervention, immediate post-intervention, 3 months after intervention | 14-item Sleep Questionnaire (Likert-type self-reported measurement) |
| Steps (number of) | Baseline (pre-intervention), during intervention, immediate post-intervention, 3 months after intervention | total number of steps per day, assessed by Apple's Health Application on phones in the name of the outcome measure. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactCharlotte Tate, Ph.D.
Backup ContactLeticia Marquez-Magana, Ph.D.
Outcome results
None listed