Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
My Best Alaskan Life: A Community-Designed Intervention to Improve Youth/Young Adults' Sexual and Mental Health
Sponsor: University of Alaska Anchorage
Summary
This project addresses critical public health disparities among Alaskan youth and young adults by developing and evaluating "My Best Alaskan Life" (MBAL), an innovative online tool aimed at improving sexual and mental health literacy and behaviors. By integrating motivational interviewing and the Health Belief Model, MBAL empowers individuals to make informed health decisions, thereby potentially reducing rates of sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and associated mental health issues. Long-term, this project aims to enhance overall health outcomes, particularly in underserved multicultural and Indigenous communities, while building local research capacity through undergraduate and graduate student engagement and mentorship.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
14 Years - 26 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
320
Start Date
2025-05-01
Completion Date
2027-10-01
Last Updated
2024-07-01
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
My Best Alaska Life
MBAL's combination of digital innovation, inclusive content, and youth-driven design positions it as a leading-edge intervention in the field of sexual health, with the potential to significantly impact the lives of Y/YA in AK and beyond. The open-access digital website enhances the reach and engagement of MBAL, particularly among adolescents who may prefer to seek information and support online in a private, self-paced setting. By allowing youth to fill out this tool at their own pace and return to their home page as they want to reflect/change answers, they can update it as their lives change. Additionally, MBAL incorporates interactive elements (question types of open response, ranking, scales, drag/drop; journaling prompts \& space) and personalized features (ex. avatars of common AK animals designed by Y/YA), allowing users to tailor their life planning experience according to their individual needs and preferences and return to their answers.