The Holistic Families Lab (HFL) has several key objectives. First, it seeks to harness innovative ethnographical and integrative medicine tools to examine and address cumulative intersectional stressors, including intergenerational trauma, racial trauma, gender discrimination, caregiver burden, acculturation stress, and minority stress. This involves evaluating stress responses within marginalized families, women, and children. Second, HFL aims to offer solutions for enhancing the well-being of these groups through scientific research, educational and training initiatives, community services, and advocacy efforts both in the United States and on a global scale. Additionally, the lab focuses on the development of culturally tailored and cost-effective mind-body interventions designed to enhance the overall health of racialized populations. Currently, HFL is actively engaged in several research projects, including the Haitian Well-Being Study, Nurturing Moms, and Realist Women.

The Realist Women Study

Background

Black women experience higher rates of risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, compared to white women. Additionally, they often report greater difficulties with sleep, which can exacerbate these risks. These challenges are frequently compounded by chronic stress arising from financial strain, caregiving responsibilities, and the effects of racial and gender discrimination.

Innovation and Approach

The Realist Women Study seeks to explore whether virtual reality (VR) can support Black women in managing stress and improving heart health. Focus group participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences with stress, sleep, and resilience, as well as provide valuable insights into using VR as a stress-relief tool. Participants will also discuss potential challenges and solutions related to immersive technology, particularly in the context of navigating the “superwoman schema” while managing daily demands.

Relevance

The study aims to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension and insufficient sleep in Black women by providing an innovative and accessible VR-based intervention tailored to their unique needs. The study will provide pilot data to develop a VR- delivered, culturally tailored Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program to enhance resilience to cumulative intersectional stress and BP management for Black women. It will also further the candidate’s training in psychological trauma research and biobehavioral medicine, equipping her with new skills in practice-based clinical trials, digital health interventions, actigraphy, ecological momentary assessments, and advanced research design and analysis. These skills will ensure her success as an independent investigator focused on investigating and addressing unique stress responses among minoritized populations while examining the effects and mechanisms of scalable digital health solutions for Black women experiencing elevated stress levels, poor sleep, cardiovascular health issues, and psychological resilience.

If you or someone you know might be interested in participating in this important study, please click the button below to learn more and check eligibility.

Learn More

You may also contact us via phone at 305-243-5033 or by email at realistwomenstudy@miami.edu.

The Cocooned Moms Study

The Cocooned Moms Study is a pre- and post-design study primarily aimed at reducing stress, depressive symptoms, and blood pressure among expectant Black women by providing them with free access to the InovCares mobile app.

InovCares is a culturally sensitive telehealth platform designed for community-based care coordination in maternal care. It also offers a tailored maternal mental health program that includes resources addressing social determinants of health, as well as access to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, and compassion-focused therapy (CFT). The program further provides peer-to-peer support and gamification features. The study will evaluate the impact of these interventions on reported stress levels, depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and blood pressure (BP) among Black pregnant women.

If you or someone you know might be interested in participating in this important study, please contact us via phone at 305-243-5033 or by email at cocoonedstudy@miami.edu.