The Color Purple Collective
A Mental Health & Wellness Pilot Study for Black Women
What is The Color Purple Collective Pilot Study?
The Color Purple Collective pilot study is an IRB-approved research study designed to explore the impact of a sister circle psychoeducational group for Black women.
What are the Benefits?
You have the opportunity to connect with other Black women about mental health and wellness and learn strategies to support emotional awareness and wellness. You can also provide essential feedback to the counseling profession to better serve Black women.
Who is Eligible to Participate?
Black and/or African American women, ages 18 or older
Group Session Breakdown
Session 1 - Sat., Sept. 21st, 12:30pm-3:30pm: Movie screening and introduction to emotional awareness, mindfulness, and wellness
Session 2 - Sat., Sept. 28th, 12pm-2pm: Sisterhood and Connection
Session 3 - Sat., Oct. 5th, 11:30am-1pm: Healing in Nature
Session 4 - Sat., Oct. 12th, 9:30am-11:30am: Spirituality and Faith
Session 5 - Sat., Oct. 19th, 12pm-2pm: Creativity and imagination in healing
Session 6 - Sat., Oct. 26th, 12pm-2pm: Self-advocacy and forgiveness
Session 7 - Sat., Nov. 2nd, (Time TBD): Self and collective affirmation and wellness planning
Group Session Privacy and Confidentiality
To invite openness and vulnerability in The Color Purple Collective, all participants will be encouraged and reminded to maintain confidentiality and privacy during group sessions. While the confidentiality of information and experiences shared in group sessions cannot be guaranteed by the researchers, each participant will be required to sign a statement indicating a commitment to maintain the privacy of others.
FAQ
Q
Do I have to pay any fees to participate in this pilot study?
A
There are no participation fees; however, any transportation-related costs to site location(s) will not be covered or reimbursed.
Q
Are there any participation risks?
Q
Where will the group activities be held?
A
Most group activities are held at the Queenspace Counseling & Wellness office and other sites in Central Ohio. Locations will be emailed to all participants before sessions. Transportation is not provided.
A
You are not likely to be exposed to risks or harms beyond those in daily life; however, you may experience discomfort watching difficult experiences in “The Color Purple” 2023 film, sharing personal experiences in a group setting, and hearing the experiences of others.
Q
How many women will be selected to participate?
A
No more than 12 women can participate.
Q
Are there incentives or compensation for participating?
A
Yes, compensation is pro-rated at each stage of the research study. A maximum of $60 is available for full participation.
Research Procedures
- First, you will complete an online survey including demographic information, wellness, and beliefs about strength and self-compassion.
- Next, you will attend a 7-week psychoeducational group (minimum of 5 sessions, including the first session) designed to explore the impact of a sister circle mental health and wellness psychoeducational group for Black women. The group uses themes from Alice Walker’s (1982) most influential work, “The Color Purple,” and recent film adaptation (Bazawule, 2023) to explore mental health and wellness. You will be emailed location and contact information prior to the group start and a reminder email.
- Session 1 is anticipated to be 3.5 hours long since participants will attend a private screening of The Color Purple film adaptation (Bazawule, 2023; run time 2 hours and 21 minutes) and discuss. This session includes an introduction to emotional awareness, mindfulness, and wellness.
- Sessions 2-7 are anticipated to be no more than 90 minutes each. Session topics include: (a) sisterhood and connection, (b) healing in nature, (c) spirituality and faith, (d) creativity and imagination in healing, (e) self-advocacy and forgiveness, and (f) self and collective affirmation and wellness planning.
- Afterwards, you will retake the online survey on wellness and beliefs about strength and self-compassion.
- Lastly, you will participate in an online audio and video recorded focus group, which is anticipated to be no longer than 90 minutes. You will be invited to review transcripts to clarify, correct, or elaborate on content shared. This member-checking process is encouraged, but not required.
Total participation will be approximately 15 hours if all 7 sessions are attended.
Refreshments will be provided at sessions.
Confidentiality of Research Data
Your study-related information (i.e., surveys and focus group) will be kept confidential within the limits of the law. Any identifying information will be kept in a secure location and only the researchers will have access. Research participants will not be identified in any publication or presentation of research results; only aggregate survey data will be used and focus group participants will be assigned a pseudonym for confidentiality.
Information gathered during the focus group will remain confidential within the limits of the law by the researchers; however, because of the focus group design there is no guarantee of confidentiality by other participants. With that in mind, all participants will be reminded about confidentiality.
Additional Information & Resources
As The Color Purple film addresses themes of abuse, we encourage participants to use state resources and organizations to promote safety. We have provided information to contact the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN ) as well as information on reporting child abuse and neglect (855-642-4453) and adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation (1-855-OHIO-APS).
- The Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting HOME to 741 741 to reach a live, trained volunteer Crisis Counselor 24/7 support.
- The Ohio CareLine is a free, 24/7 behavioral health call service, which can be reached at 1-800-720-9616 to reach the. It is staffed by behavioral health professionals who can offer confidential support in times of personal or family crisis.
- Therapy for Black Girls website offers a “Find a Therapist” search tool on the locate a therapist. Note that sharing this resource does not indicate an endorsement of any particular therapist.
Have Questions?
Dr. Shekyra DeCree, LPCC-S
co-investigator
Email: queenspace614@gmail.com
Dr. Adrienne Erby, LPC, NCC
primary investigator
Email: aerby@kent.edu
We’re Full
Thank you for your interest. We have reached capacity and are
unable to accept additional participants at this time.