# Stress-reduction Wellness Program for Midlife Black Women (B-SWELL)

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI · 2021 · $160,645

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Chronic life stress is an antecedent to chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease. The multitude of
competing chronic stressors experienced by midlife Black women contribute to the striking disparities in
cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality in comparison to midlife White American women. These same
stressors also decrease the likelihood that Black women will adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors as they diminish
the time and energy available for self-care. Physiological and psychological responses to social and
environmental stressors are uniquely influenced by a population's history, perceptions, and culture. The
intersection between ethnicity, culture, environment, and health is complex and requires tailored and targeted
approaches that account for population differences to improve health outcomes. Recognition and improved
understanding of these potential differences is important to provide culturally appropriate care.
 The purpose of this research is to develop a midlife Black women's Stress-reduction WELLness
intervention, B-SWELL, to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors based on the stressors and themes identified
in the candidate's preliminary research. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) methods will be
used to engage the community and include midlife Black women in the development of the B-SWELL.
The hypothesis proposes that B-SWELL participants (n=25) will show improved self-efficacy in
managing life stress and adopting American Heart Association's Life Simple 7 Success Plan (LS7
behaviors), compared with participants randomized to a control group receiving traditional wellness
education (WE group) (n=25). Secondary outcomes include unhealthy days, perceived general health
and depressive symptoms. Data collection will occur at baseline, 8 weeks (end of intervention), and 12
weeks. LS7 has been shown to decrease cardiovascular disease risk but lacks culturally appropriate
characteristics to improve its appeal to midlife Black women.
 The candidate, Dr. Jones, has expertise in stress research with a focus on chronic life stress in midlife
Black women. In an effort to develop an effective intervention for midlife Black women, the candidate
assembled a mentoring team of experts to guide her training in intervention research and community-based
participatory research methods (CBPR). Dr. Jones' short-term goal is to become an independent stress
researcher skilled in the use of methodologies and techniques required for intervention research and CBPR.
This K01 award will serve as a platform from which Dr. Jones will build a body of stress research focused on
chronic disease prevention in midlife Black women. The resources, time, and, materials needed for this project
are available through the University of Cincinnati (UC) and the College of Nursing. In addition, the UC Center
for Clinical & Translational Training and Science offers services for K01 awardees in the effort to foster junior
researchers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10213121
- **Project number:** 5K01HL141676-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
- **Principal Investigator:** Holly Janell Jones
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $160,645
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10213121

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10213121, Stress-reduction Wellness Program for Midlife Black Women (B-SWELL) (5K01HL141676-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10213121. Licensed CC0.

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