An Affective Intervention to Reverse the Biological Residue of Low Childhood SES
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Early Life Adversity
- Sponsor
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Enrollment
- 113
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in meditation time (Self-reported meditation time recorded daily)
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 9 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
Growing up in a low-income household has been shown to increase risk for, and susceptibility to many illnesses.The purpose of the study is to test an affective intervention for reversing biological risk factors, as related to childhood adversity, in midlife.
Participants will be asked to make two lab visits; attend six weekly, 1-hour meditation classes; as well as complete brief online daily surveys for 11 weeks, five biweekly surveys, and two 30-minute surveys prior to each lab visit. During the lab visits, participants will have their psychophysiology monitored for heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and pulse. Participants will also have their blood drawn.
All surveys and questionnaires inquire about participants' current demographics, family history, perceptions about life and well-being, physical health, and monetary choices.
Investigators
Barbara L. Fredrickson, PhD
Kenan Distinguished Professor
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •fluent in written and spoken English
- •have daily access to internet and a computer
Exclusion Criteria
- •engaged in regular meditation practice, either recently or in the past
- •previously participated in a meditation study
- •have allergies to adhesive materials (includes latex)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in meditation time (Self-reported meditation time recorded daily)
Time Frame: Weeks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ,10, 11, 12
Self-reported meditation time recorded daily.
Secondary Outcomes
- Cardiac vagal tone (Respiration and echocardiogram measured with respiration band and 2-lead electrode placement)(Week 0, Week 12)
- Leukocyte basal gene expression (evaluated through blood samples)(Week 0, Week 12)
- Levels of mistrust (Self-report questionnaire measure of hostility using 9-item Cooke-Medley scale)(Week 0, Week 12)
- Temporal Discounting (Monetary choice questionnaire to assess impulsive decision-making)(Week 0, Week 12)