Racial BiasNCT05807061
Reducing Children's Racial Biases Via a Parent-Led Intervention
A study testing EmBARK, Popular guidance and Practice first in people with Racial Bias, run by University of Wisconsin, Madison at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to test a parent-led program for reducing children's racial biases in White families. The main question it aims to answer is: With training, can parents effectively address their children's racial biases? Parent will receive training and tools for addressing their children's racial… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 5 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Racial Bias
- What is being tested?
- EmBARK, Popular guidance and Practice first
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 704 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 25 Apr 2023to 15 Jan 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 5 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- The child is 5.00 to 7.99 years of age
- The child participant and their parent are both non-Hispanic White
Who cannot join
- Non-proficiency in English on the part of the parent or the child
- The parent is <18 years old
- The child or parent identifies with another racial/ethnic identity in addition to White
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Waisman Center at UW-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin, 53705
About this study
The goal of this clinical trial is to test a parent-led program for reducing children's racial biases in White families. The main question it aims to answer is: With training, can parents effectively address their children's racial biases? Parent will receive training and tools for addressing their children's racial biases. Researchers will study effects on both parents' and children's racial biases.
- Conditions
- Racial Bias
- Being tested
- EmBARK, Popular guidance, Practice first
- Medical subject headings
- Racism
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
EmBARKBehavioural
The narrated training teaches parents about children's biases and introduces multiple strategies for addressing children's biases. Families receive children's books to help practice the strategies.
Popular guidanceBehavioural
The popular press articles teach parents about children's biases and guide parents about how to talk to children about race. Families receive children's books focused on race to help practice talking about race.
Practice firstBehavioural
Animal books are provided to parents to help them practice talking to their children when reading books. Then, families receive a training program about race as well as children's books about race.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| EmBARK | Experimental | Parents receive a narrated training program about children's racial biases and read books that are focused on race with their children. Receives: Behavioral: EmBARK |
| Popular guidance | Experimental | Parents receive interesting popular press articles about children's racial biases and read books that are focused on race with their children. Receives: Behavioral: Popular guidance |
| Practice first | Experimental | Parents practice discussing books about animals with their children first, and then receive a narrated training program about children's racial biases and read books that are focused on race with their children. Receives: Behavioral: Practice first |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Likelihood of Child's Racial Bias
Total possible range of scores from 1-5. Higher scores mean higher likelihood of bias.
Measured: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Change in Concern about Children's Racial Bias
Total possible range of scores from 1-10. Higher scores indicate more concern.
Measured: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Change in Concern about Own Child's Bias
Total possible range of scores from 1-10. Higher scores indicate more concern.
Measured: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Change in Motivation to Regulate Children's Bias
Total possible range of scores from 1-10. Higher scores mean greater motivation.
Measured: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Change in Self-Efficacy for Addressing Children's Bias
Total possible range of scores from 1-7. Higher scores mean greater self-efficacy.
Measured: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Change in Intergroup Liking
Total possible range of scores is -12 to +12. Higher scores reflect more ingroup liking.
Measured: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Change in Diversity Preference
Total possible range of scores is 0 to 4. Higher scores mean a greater preference for homogeneous groups.
Measured: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Change in Reactions to Discrimination: Evaluation
Total possible range of scores is -6 to +6.
Measured: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Change in Reactions to Discrimination: Confrontation
Participants can score 0 or 1, with the higher score reflecting confrontation.
Measured: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Change in Predicting Parents' Attitudes
Total possible range of scores is -6 to +6.
Measured: Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Apr 2023
- Study start25 Apr 2023
- Primary completion15 Jan 2026
- Study completion15 Jan 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Racial BiasStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of Wisconsin, MadisonThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 704 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05807061
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2020-1026
- Other IDs
- 1R01HD106970-01A1, Psychology
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 29 Mar 2023
- Last updated
- 12 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Individual participant data collected during the trial, after de-identification, will be shared. Additionally, the study protocol, statistical analysis plan, informed consent form, and analytic code will be shared. The materials will be shared upon publication of primary outcomes, and will be available indefinitely. They will be shared via an open science platform, namely the Open Science Framework (OSF). Anyone may access the data to verify study outcomes or make additional data discoveries.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Reducing Children's Racial Biases Via a Parent-Led Intervention
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05807061
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2020-1026
- Conditions
- Racial Bias
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 704 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Wisconsin, MadisonUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
- Study start
- 25 Apr 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Jan 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 10 Apr 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to test a parent-led program for reducing children's racial biases in White families. The main question it aims to answer is: With training, can parents effectively address their children's racial biases? Parent will receive training and tools for addressing their children's racial biases. Researchers will study effects on both parents' and children's racial biases.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| EmBARK | Experimental | Behavioral: EmBARKParents receive a narrated training program about children's racial biases and read books that are focused on race with their children. |
| Popular guidance | Experimental | Behavioral: Popular guidanceParents receive interesting popular press articles about children's racial biases and read books that are focused on race with their children. |
| Practice first | Experimental | Behavioral: Practice firstParents practice discussing books about animals with their children first, and then receive a narrated training program about children's racial biases and read books that are focused on race with their children. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 5 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- The child is 5.00 to 7.99 years of age
- The child participant and their parent are both non-Hispanic White
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Non-proficiency in English on the part of the parent or the child
- The parent is <18 years old
- The child or parent identifies with another racial/ethnic identity in addition to White
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| EmBARKThe narrated training teaches parents about children's biases and introduces multiple strategies for addressing children's biases. Families receive children's books to help practice the strategies. | Behavioural | EmBARK |
| Popular guidanceThe popular press articles teach parents about children's biases and guide parents about how to talk to children about race. Families receive children's books focused on race to help practice talking about race. | Behavioural | Popular guidance |
| Practice firstAnimal books are provided to parents to help them practice talking to their children when reading books. Then, families receive a training program about race as well as children's books about race. | Behavioural | Practice first |
Primary outcome
Change in Likelihood of Child's Racial Bias
Time frame: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Total possible range of scores from 1-5. Higher scores mean higher likelihood of bias.
Change in Concern about Children's Racial Bias
Time frame: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Total possible range of scores from 1-10. Higher scores indicate more concern.
Change in Concern about Own Child's Bias
Time frame: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Total possible range of scores from 1-10. Higher scores indicate more concern.
Change in Motivation to Regulate Children's Bias
Time frame: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Total possible range of scores from 1-10. Higher scores mean greater motivation.
Change in Self-Efficacy for Addressing Children's Bias
Time frame: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Total possible range of scores from 1-7. Higher scores mean greater self-efficacy.
Change in Intergroup Liking
Time frame: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Total possible range of scores is -12 to +12. Higher scores reflect more ingroup liking.
Change in Diversity Preference
Time frame: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Total possible range of scores is 0 to 4. Higher scores mean a greater preference for homogeneous groups.
Change in Reactions to Discrimination: Evaluation
Time frame: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Total possible range of scores is -6 to +6.
Change in Reactions to Discrimination: Confrontation
Time frame: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Participants can score 0 or 1, with the higher score reflecting confrontation.
Change in Predicting Parents' Attitudes
Time frame: Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)
Total possible range of scores is -6 to +6.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Individual participant data collected during the trial, after de-identification, will be shared. Additionally, the study protocol, statistical analysis plan, informed consent form, and analytic code will be shared. The materials will be shared upon publication of primary outcomes, and will be available indefinitely. They will be shared via an open science platform, namely the Open Science Framework (OSF). Anyone may access the data to verify study outcomes or make additional data discoveries.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing EmBARK, Popular guidance and Practice first in people with Racial Bias, run by University of Wisconsin, Madison at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Likelihood of Child's Racial Bias (time frame: Baseline, Post-Test 1 (up to 4 weeks on study), Post-Test 2 (up to 16 weeks on study)). The study lists 10 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Jun 2026.