Understanding Mental Health Disparities Affecting Black Girls Obtaining Diverse Perspectives Through interviews with Providers, and Others

The purpose of the proposed project is to build upon the study aims of the Principal Investigator’s (PI) funded NIMHD R21, entitled “Exploring PTSD Symptoms, Barriers and Facilitators to Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction for Justice-Involved Black/African American Female Adolescents and Parents/Caregivers” (1R21MD016940-01A1, PI Quinn) to adapt and test a healing stress reduction intervention (HSRI). This project will extend the science of the R21 by a) conducting interviews with legal system providers (N=20) to assess their views of the proposed HSRI, as well as how, where and by whom HSRI should be delivered. Once analyzed, their feedback will be used to further adapt the proposed intervention; b) creating a Scientific Advisory Board (7 members), and a Youth Advisory Board (5 members), which will play a vital role in assisting the research team in the development, adaptation, and future implementation of HSRI. Also, the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) will comprise at least 2 study participants who will volunteer to be trained in research; and c) recoup funds to support the PI and the project director’s percent effort to conduct the study, which was cut with the initial submission to meet NIH’s indirect requirements