Improving Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Health in Faith-Based Settings Through Creating a Healthy Culture in Bronx, NY

NYU Langone Health108 enrolled

Overview

The proposed study "Improving Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Health in Faith- Based Settings through Creating a Healthy Culture in Bronx, NY" aims to assess the efficacy of a holistic health intervention that seeks to integrate physical, mental, spiritual, and community engagement processes into faith-based settings, compared to usual care in Bronx, NY. Briefly, the intervention involves a seven-session faith-based small group education program conducted by trained lay educators. A health ministry at each partner religious institution will be developed and sustained

The purpose of this research study is test a holistic health intervention that combines physical, mental, spiritual, and community processes into faith-based settings in Bronx, NY. The program involves a seven-session faith-based small group education sessions to be conducted by lay educators.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

108

Conditions

Mental Health Issue

Interventions

The curriculum seeks to increase civic engagement by fostering a sense of community and a sense of social and personal responsibility in community. There will be 7 monthly session that will be approximately 1 hour in duration. Session topics include: 1. Education and Information (including mental health awareness, and a one-day certificate program in Mental Health First Aid) 2. Connection with Others 3. The Body as Temple 4. Emotional Healing 5. The Nature of Mind 6. Life Assessment 7. The Nature of Spirit

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 100 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Intervention study participants Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 and over * Self-identify as a member of the religious institution for at least three months * Able to read and speak in English, Vietnamese, or Khmer Exclusion Criteria: * Any serious health issue that may interfere with the study procedures Key informants participants Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 and over * Must be a study implementation partner, a health ministry member, or lay educator Exclusion Criteria: * None Focus group participants Inclusion Criteria: * Must be a participant in the intervention * Attended at least 3 out of the 7 group education sessions as an intervention participant; Exclusion Criteria: * None

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Changes in sociodemographic characteristics of participants

This will be measured by self reported participant survey about the aspects of personal and social responsibility for well-being.

Time frame: baseline and 6 months visit

Secondary Outcomes

Facilitators and Barriers in intervention process by Focus Group participants

A Focus group of a subset of participants will assess the facilitators and barriers in receiving the 7 sessions of the intervention. The focus groups at a private location convenient for participants. Interviews will not exceed two hours and will be audio-recorded. The focus group data will elicit facilitators and barriers to receiving the intervention and making change to improve well-being. The focus group will discuss topics such as how the group sessions impacted on the participants' physical or mental health, what was challenging or not useful and what types of tools were gained that were helpful to become more spiritually healthy.

Time frame: 6 months

Facilitators and Barriers in intervention process by Key informants

The key informant interviews will contain questions that assess facilitators and barriers to implementing the intervention. The key informant interviews will be conducted once, immediately after completion of the intervention among intervention participants