Preliminary Assessment of Effectiveness, Implementation, and Research Feasibility of the bryt Intervention for BIPOC and Economically Disadvantaged High School Students

Leadership

  • Kathryn Sabella, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
  • Paul Hyry-Dermith, Ph.D., Michelle Munson, Ph.D. and Bo Wang, Ph.D., Co-Investigators

Background

bryt (pronounced “bright”) is a short-term program for high school students with serious mental health conditions (SMHC) who are returning to school after extended absences due to psychiatric hospitalization or intensive outpatient therapy. Such students often feel socially isolated, overwhelmed by academic demands, and report lower levels of school connectedness. Prior research shows that young adults with SMHC who identify as BIPOC or are from low socioeconomic backgrounds face even greater challenges persisting in their educational pursuits and developing positive relationships with their schools. Therefore we will explore the feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability of bryt specifically with this population of students.

Research Questions

  1. In what ways does byrt need to be adapted to better meet the needs of BIPOC students and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds with SMHC who are returning from an extended absence?
  2. Is there preliminary evidence that the adapted bryt is effective in supporting BIPOC students and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds with SMHC who are returning from an extended absence?
  3. What research methods are needed for a future rigorous test of the adapted bryt among BIPOC and low socioeconomic students with SMHC?

Research Activities

  1. Focus groups will be held with bryt students, families, and bryt coordinators about the needs and experiences of BIPOC students and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds who have received the bryt intervention. The information collected will be used to update the bryt intervention components if needed.
  2. After adapting bryt to better meet the needs of BIPOC students and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds based on feedback, the research team will conduct a pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial of bryt with BIPOC students and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.