Caregiver Communication Research Articles

"Many old people taking care of old people": Experiences of older adults after Hurricane María in Puerto Rico.

The Puerto Rican population has presented demographic changes resulting in a greater proportion of older adults than almost any other country in the world, with an estimated 28% of the total population being over 60 years of age. A key public health issue in Puerto Rico (PR) is older adults' mental health and wellbeing. Located in the Caribbean, PR is prone to natural hazards such as hurricanes, which are a known threat to older adults' overall health and wellbeing. However, the needs of older adults in PR and their mental health have been largely neglected, especially in less visible and marginalized rural areas. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to examine the challenges and needs of older adults following Hurricane María in the rural towns of Adjuntas and Castañer, PR. We implemented an exploratory qualitative research design informed by the principles of Liming methodology. We used semi-structured interviews to gather data and analyzed it using thematic analysis. A total of 25 participants engaged in our interview process including older adults (n = 15) and community caregivers and leaders that provide services to older adults (n = 10). We present three main themes regarding older adults' experiences after Hurricane María: 1) Challenges to wellbeing (i.e, loneliness, lack of resources), 2) Relational solidarity (i.e., communal support, equitable resource sharing) and 3) La brega (i.e., adaption and autogestión). Older adults in Adjuntas and Castañer addressed the emergent challenges after Hurricane María such as loneliness and lack of resources by relying on their communities. These findings highlight the role of community support as a key component to understand and foster older adults' wellbeing following a natural hazard.

Community health worker and caregiver experiences and perceptions of a multimodal handheld pulse oximeter used in sick child consultations in rural Burundi: A qualitative evaluation.

Community Health Workers (CHWs) in low- and middle-income countries are essential in providing primary health care to remote communities. However, due to limited diagnostic tools, CHWs often struggle to correctly identify childhood illnesses, especially pneumonia. We conducted a prospective pilot study and used qualitative research methods to evaluate acceptability and feasibility of a multimodal pulse oximeter used by CHWs during their integrated community case management (iCCM) of childhood illness consultations in rural Burundi. We used purposive sampling to recruit CHWs and trained them to use the oximeters during household iCCM consultations for children 6-59 months of age. After eight weeks of using the devices, we conducted eight focus group discussions to evaluate experiences and perceptions of the device among CHWs and caregivers. Our thematic analysis, based upon deductive and inductive reasoning, identified the following themes: durability, storability, trust, self-efficacy, child agitation, ease of using the device, and interpretation of parameters. CHWs deemed the devices highly acceptable and took pride in safely storing them but reported challenges in utilizing respiration rate, pulse, and oxygen saturation (though temperature was understood). Child agitation was a barrier to oximeter use, especially among children 6-12 months. Additional CHW capacity-building on interpreting parameters is needed when using oximeters during household iCCM consultations in Burundi, including an iCCM job aid (decision-making tree) with oxygen saturation and respiratory rate cut-offs for treatment and/or referral. Training and using child-calming techniques could be an important strategy for obtaining quality measurements. While CHWs and caregivers highly valued the oximeters during sick child visits, the devices may be better utilized and scalable at the health facility level.

Meeting People Where They Are: Building Community-Centered Care with Smartphone-Facilitated Response to Overdoses

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 members who engaged in community-based effort to reverse overdoses using a smartphone-based app in an Eastern United States (U.S.) city. Drawing from feminist ethics of care, we identify how the caring practices of community members extend from administering a medical intervention to building trust and support between the care receivers and caregivers in the case of opioid overdose response. Contrary to the predominant patient-centered care paradigm, we emphasize community-centered care, which acknowledges the resistance of individuals and attends to reallocating caring responsibility and building relationships within the community. Our results highlight how trust intersects with social ecologies of care in the highly stigmatized context of opioid overdose and that trustful and less hierarchical relationships are critical sources of care for groups experiencing marginalization. We discuss applying harm reduction principles in designing health technologies for substance use disorders. We also discuss research and design opportunities for community-centered design for marginalized individuals and community caregivers.

Preparing Surrogates for Decision-Making: Development and Pilot Testing of Prepare for Their Care.

Surrogate decision-makers have expressed the need for better preparation around communication and medical decision-making. This mixed-methods feasibility study aimed to assess the feasibility and usability of an online program to prepare surrogates for their role. We developed a 2-part program for surrogates called PREPARE For THEIR Care with a diverse group of Community Advisory Board members and caregivers recruited from the National Patient Advocacy Foundation. We conducted pilot testing of the program with caregivers. Using validated surveys, we assessed the feasibility and usability of the program and measured pre-to-post Advance Care Planning (ACP) Engagement among caregiver participants. Of the 26 pilot participants, mean age was 52 ± 12.7 years; 27% were men, 4% were nonbinary, 27% identified as Asian, 27% Black, 11% Multi-Racial, and 35% White. Participants found the program to be informative, comprehensive, and easy to use. Ease-of-use was rated 9.6 ± 0.92 on a 10-point scale; and, on 5-point scales, comfort using the program was rated 4.8 ± 0.51, helpfulness 4.6 ± 0.65, and likelihood to recommend to others 4.7 ± 0.53. There was improvement comparing pre- and postsurveys in readiness to engage in ACP for others (4.23 ± 0.67) to 4.47 ± 0.73), P = 0.04) and for self (3.55 ± 1.36) to (3.89 ± 1.06), P = 0.02). In this pilot study, the prepare for their care program resulted in high user satisfaction and improved pre-to-post surrogate readiness to engage in ACP. Larger trials are needed to evaluate the impact of the program on surrogate readiness and confidence.

SEQUENTIAL ANALYSIS OF DEMENTIA FAMILY DYADIC COMMUNICATION: CARE RECIPIENT CHALLENGING/NEUTRAL COMMUNICATION

Abstract Care-recipient challenging communication is nonresponsive, resistive, withdrawing, and critical communication showing disengagement. Care-recipient neutral communication is nonverbal behavior either engaging or challenging depending on the context. This study examined temporal relationships between antecedent care-recipient challenging and neutral communication and subsequent family caregiver communication (facilitative, disabling, and neutral) during 75 in-home care video observations. Secondary analysis of 5- to 60-second timed-window analysis with 5-second intervals was conducted. 95% confidence intervals, p-values, and Yule’s Q statistics were used. The results showed that all types of family caregiver communication were less likely to occur at differing frequencies within each time window following care-recipient challenging verbal and neutral communication. Caregiver facilitative verbal, disabling nonverbal, and neutral communication were less likely to occur within all time widows after care-recipient challenging verbal communication (OR = 0.32 – 0.86, p < 0.001 – p = 0.001-0.037, Yule’s Q = -0.106 – -0.519). Caregiver facilitative and disabling communication were less likely to occur until 35 seconds after care-recipient neutral communication (OR = 0.34 – 0.87, p < 0.001 – p = 0.002 – 0.044, Yule’s Q = 0.093 – 0.459). Care-recipient challenging verbal and neutral communication were significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of subsequent caregiver communication, with a small to large probability of non-occurrence. These results highlight that caregivers often fail to respond to care-recipient challenging and neutral communication. Healthcare providers and researchers should prioritize providing caregiver education focusing on awareness and support of challenging verbal behaviors and other nonverbal behaviors of persons living with dementia.

RURAL HEALTH AND FAMILY CAREGIVING: IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS AND ADDRESSING NEEDS ACROSS POPULATIONS

Abstract The rural population in the U.S. is growing and aging faster, and they have more comorbidities, than the overall aging population. Despite the greater need for resources and supports, rural residents may experience the most barriers to formal services (e.g., hospital, hospice/palliative care, nursing home care) and may lack available family caregivers. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of population-based research comparing the characteristics and needs of older adults living and dying in rural vs. urban areas, particularly related to availability of family. This symposium includes 4 presentations focused on rural health and family caregiving and identifying the characteristics and addressing needs across populations. The first presentation uses a retrospective population cohort design with cancer registry and state-wide claims data to examine urban/rural differences in palliative care-related service claims among older adult cancer patients diagnosed with metastatic breast, lung, colorectal, head and neck, bladder, and melanoma cancers. The next two presentations use data from the Utah Caregiving Population Study (Utah C-PopS) to examine how family size and characteristics impact EOL care utilization for urban vs. rural NH residents and for persons with dementia. The last presentation describes a program evaluation of an interagency collaboration to support caregivers in rural communities. Together, these presentations shed light on the diverse characteristics, gaps in care, and novel strategies to address the needs of rural populations to better inform rural health practice and policy considerations.

FINANCIAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF RURAL CAREGIVERS OF OLDER ADULTS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES

Abstract Rural caregivers experience various financial stressors and challenges in providing care to their ill family members. Rural health disparities such as limited access to care, economic opportunities, resources, and support pose increased financial threats and insecurity resulting in poor patient and caregiver outcomes. Our study aimed to explore perceived financial stressors/challenges and their impacts on the self-care and well-being of rural caregivers of older family members with serious chronic illness. Using a purposive sampling approach, we did qualitative interviews among N=20 rural female caregivers caring for their older family member with any serious chronic illness. Interviews were done in-person and online, interview duration was about 30-45 minutes. Data was transcribed and analyzed deductively and inductively using thematic content analysis. Major financial impacts of caregiving included: leaving job or reducing work hours, time constraints on caregivers’ self-care, inability to balance family relations and caregiving roles, and difficulty navigating financial processes in the existing healthcare system. These challenges led to cutting down on groceries, reliance on retirement savings, and lack of personal time. Participants faced sleep and diet disruptions, shouldered financial decisions alone with limited or no support, and felt guilty over unfulfilled care recipient wishes due to financial constraints. Adequate self-care, coping, and well-being are associated with improved financial well-being and reduced financial threat. Caregiver support programs should focus on strategies and interventions to improve the financial well-being and overall quality of life of caregivers in the rural communities.

Sentiment Dynamics Among Informal Caregivers in Web-Based Alzheimer Communities: Systematic Analysis of Emotional Support and Interaction Patterns.

Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD) are a growing global health challenge. ADRD place significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens on informal caregivers and negatively affects their well-being. Web-based social media platforms have emerged as valuable sources of peer support for these caregivers. However, there has been limited investigation into how web-based peer support might influence their mental well-being. This study aims to examine the dynamics of sentiment scores, a major indicator of mental well-being, among informal ADRD caregivers, specifically how their sentiment changes as they participate in caregiving experience discussions within 2 ADRD web-based communities. We collected data from 2 large web-based ADRD caregiving communities, ALZConnected (from November 2011 to August 2022) and TalkingPoint (from March 2003 to November 2022). Using the Valence Aware Dictionary for Sentiment Reasoning and Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count, we calculated sentiment scores for each post and evaluated how the initial sentiment score of a topic initiator evolves within a discussion thread. Structured topic modeling and regression analysis were used to identify the primary topics consistently associated with sentiment changes within these threads. We investigated longitudinal sentiment trends to identify patterns of sentimental stability or enhancement due to prolonged engagement in web-based communities by plotting linear interpolation lines of the sentiment values of each individual user. The ALZConnected dataset comprised 532,992 posts, consisting of 57,641 topic threads and 475,351 comments. The TalkingPoint dataset was composed of 846,344 posts, consisting of 81,068 topic threads and 765,276 comments. Our research revealed that topic initiators experienced a notable increase in sentiment as they engaged in subsequent discussions within their threads, with a significant uptick in positivity in the short term. This phenomenon is part of a broader trend of steadily rising positive sentiment among ADRD caregivers. Using structured topic modeling, we cataloged a diverse range of topics that included both emotional aspects, such as family emotions, and practical concerns, such as diagnosis and treatment and everyday care practices. We observed that sentiment scores were positively aligned with discussions about family and daily routines life (coefficient=3.53; P<.001), while topics related to illness (coefficient=-1.37; P<.001) and caregiving facilities (coefficient=-1.98; P<.001) tended to correlate with lower sentiment scores. This evidence highlights the significant impact that both the time of participation and the posting content have on the sentiment changes of caregivers. This study identifies sentiment changes among informal ADRD caregivers through their interactions in 2 extensive web-based communities. These findings emphasize the importance of early emotional support within a topic thread and demonstrate a predominantly positive sentiment in these communities over time. These further highlight the value of web-based peer support and its potential to enhance the emotional well-being of informal ADRD caregivers.

Investigation of correlation between negative communication and characteristics of caregivers of people with dedmentia

Investigation of correlation between negative communication and characteristics of caregivers of people with dedmentia

Assistance with oral hygiene care among family dementia caregivers in Chinese American Communities in New York City

BackgroundOral hygiene care is instrumental to maintaining optimal oral health. As dementia progresses, individuals face challenges performing adequate oral hygiene care and become dependent on their caregivers. The role of family caregivers in assisting with oral hygiene care becomes increasingly critical. This study explored the association between caregiving circumstances, care recipient characteristics, and assistance in oral hygiene care among dementia caregivers in Chinese American communities. MethodsData came from a pilot study on Chinese dementia caregivers in New York City collected between November 2021 and June 2022. Purposive sampling was used to recruit family caregivers to participate in a survey (online or via telephone). Current caregivers (n = 76) were included. Caregiver assistance with oral hygiene care was measured by assistance with toothbrushing (yes or no) and assistance with flossing (yes or no). Descriptive analyses, group comparisons, and logistic regressions were conducted. ResultsFemale caregivers tended to assist with toothbrushing. Caregivers with an average of 2.4 years in providing care tended to assist with flossing. Care recipients with tooth pain were 5.12 times more likely to receive assistance with toothbrushing. Care recipients with more natural teeth were 1.07 times more likely to receive assistance with toothbrushing. Care recipients with severe dementia were 94 % less likely to receive assistance with flossing. ConclusionsThe findings underscore the importance of understanding the factors that influence caregivers’ assistance with oral hygiene care. This study is a crucial first step toward developing effective, caregiver-led interventions to improve the oral hygiene of individuals with dementia.

The impact of stroke support groups on stroke patients and their caregivers

Background: Stroke survivors often face multifaceted challenges encompassing physical, psychological and social aspects of health during their recovery journey.Aim: To explore the impact of stroke support groups on stroke patients and their caregivers in Kenya.Setting: The study was conducted in eight Kenyan county referral facilities.Methods: The study applied a qualitative interpretive paradigm and collected data from semi-structured face-to-face interviews with eight stroke survivors and their caregivers. Thematic content analysis was employed to extract and analyse data.Results: The analysis of data revealed four key themes: (1) mental functioning, (2) environmental impact, (3) personal impact and (4) social participation. These themes were organised and related to the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF).Conclusion: Peer stroke support groups significantly enhanced the ICF component of mental functioning, environmental and personal, through emotional support, social connection, coping, learning, mobility, communication and domestic life of stroke survivors and caregivers. Participation promoted affirmation and acceptance, and reduced loneliness, which led to increased involvement in a range of activities. Moreover, stroke support groups played a vital role in empowerment, education and advocating for systemic change.Contribution: This study provides new information that improves understanding of the positive impact of stroke support groups in Kenya. It highlights the importance of integrating peer support into post-stroke rehabilitation programmes.

The Effect of Forgiveness Psychoeducation on Death Anxiety, Caregiver Burden, and Forgiveness Tendencies in Caregivers of Patients at the End of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Providing caregivers with the skills and awareness of forgiveness is crucial to help them express their emotions, navigate the grieving process more smoothly, enhance their interaction with the patient, and make the time until the patient's death more meaningful. To examine the effect of forgiveness psychoeducation on death anxiety, caregiver burden, and forgiveness tendencies in caregivers of patients at the end of life. A randomized controlled experimental method was used, including a pretest, posttest, 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up. The research sample included 56 caregivers of patients (experimental group = 28, control group = 28) at the end of life. During the study, forgiveness psychoeducation was administered to the experimental group, whereas no intervention was carried out in the control group. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Thorson-Powell Death Anxiety Scale, Caregiver Burden Scale, and Heartland Forgiveness Scale. The average scores of death anxiety and caregiving burden in the posttest and follow-up measurements of caregivers in the experimental group were statistically significantly lower than those of caregivers in the control group (P < .05). Forgiveness psychoeducation reduces death anxiety and caregiving burdens in caregivers of patients at the end of life. It is recommended to provide psychoeducation on forgiveness. The psychoeducation conducted by Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Nurses aimed at increasing the internal process of forgiveness can positively influence the communication, emotions, and spiritual development of caregivers of patients at the end of life. Thus, improving the quality of care can be achieved through forgiveness.

Telepractice-delivered communication training for informal caregivers of people with aphasia: A pilot study

Purpose To establish proof of concept of a student-led, telepractice-delivered communication partner training towards enhancing communication between people with aphasia and their informal caregivers in everyday conversations. Method Two dyads were recruited, each consisting of a person with aphasia and their caregiver. A pre-training questionnaire was completed by caregivers, followed by a weekly communication training session delivered by graduate student clinicians via telepractice to each dyad over 12 weeks. The caregivers then completed a post-training questionnaire. Both questionnaires included 13 Likert-scale questions and one open-ended question requiring an extended response. Result Pre- to post-training improvements for both dyads were identified on two domains of the questionnaire: (a) frustrations of the caregiver and person with aphasia and (b) caregivers’ knowledge and confidence in using communication strategies. This quantitative data was supported by additional extended responses regarding informal caregivers’ current communication strategies when communicating with the person with aphasia. Conclusion Both informal caregivers reported integrating communication strategies learned as part of the training in their interactions with the person with aphasia and experiencing fewer communication breakdowns during the two weeks following the training. The pilot study offers proof of concept for incorporating telepractice-delivered caregiver communication training as part of aphasia rehabilitation.

NICU Caregiver Communication Preferences and Disparities by Primary Language: A Qualitative Study.

Effective communication between clinical providers and infant caregivers is vital to family-centered care and engagement in the NICU. Infants in the level IV NICU often have complex medical needs and prolonged lengths of stay, leading to challenges maintaining effective and consistent communication, particularly for families with a primary language other than English. The objective of this qualitative study is to determine the facilitators and barriers to effective communication among English- and Spanish-speaking caregivers in a level IV NICU. This phenomenology qualitative study consisted of interviews with English- or Spanish-speaking caregivers of infants admitted to a single-site level IV NICU for at least 7 days. Interviews were conducted using a semistructured interview guide that sought to understand the lived experience of parents communicating with providers. Themes from coded interview transcripts were identified using inductive thematic analysis. Nineteen interviews were completed in participants' primary language (English or Spanish), and 5 themes emerged from the analysis. For English- and Spanish-speaking caregivers, we discovered the importance of personal connection, the desire for receiving communication about changes directly from providers, and a strong desire for daily updates. For Spanish-speaking families, we found disparities in the use of communication-related technology and consistent communication from providers in their primary language. In this qualitative study, we identified caregiver preferences for communication from providers in a level IV NICU and demonstrated disparate experiences for Spanish-speaking caregivers. Future work should focus on developing interventions that address these identified barriers to communication.

Spatial context and informal caregivers’ Well-being: A case study of a Carer Café project in Hong Kong

This paper evaluates how a Hong Kong community Carer Café program reduce the informal (unpaid) caregivers’ navigation burden of social and health care service system. The cafés took place once biweekly at pantries and activity rooms of social service centers, community centers, and churches, which installed temporary decorations to create a café-like environment. his article will use the conceptual framework of spatial context, including spatial propinquity, spatial composition, and spatial configuration, to highlight four mechanisms in the process of informalization. They are (a) changing layout; (b) promoting spatial propinquity of caregivers; (c) creating a spatial composition facilitating social interaction; and (d) allowing the caregivers to use informal spaces flexibly. Qualitative data from 26 respondents, including social workers, project staff, volunteers, and users, sheds light on the details of four mechanisms. Results show that the Carer Cafés were transformed into a safe and caregiver friendly third place by the informalization process. Thus, caregivers from communities visit cafés frequently. These frequent visits facilitate the Cafés become a hub for informal caregivers access different resources and supports. This paper suggest that spatial context would be an important consideration to further explore in the future community caregiver support service practice and policy.

Community Caregivers' Perspectives on Health Information Technology Utilization for Children with Medical Complexity; A qualitative study (Preprint)

Community Caregivers' Perspectives on Health Information Technology Utilization for Children with Medical Complexity; A qualitative study (Preprint)

Adherence to referral advice and its associated factors among community drug distributors and caregiver during SMC implementation in nine states

BackgroundMalaria is a global public health problem that disproportionately affects under-five children in poor resource countries. Nigeria accounted for the highest burden of malaria in Western Africa. Thus, seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) programmes have been recommended and have been implemented across 9 states (Bauchi, Borno, FCT, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau, Oyo and Sokoto) in Nigeria. The study aims to measure the adherence to referral protocol and its associated factors among community drug distributors (CDs) and caregivers during SMC implementation in nine states.MethodsThe data of caregiver-child pairs that were identified with fever during the cycle one SMC implementation was extracted from the End-of-cycle (EoC) surveys carried out following cycles one SMC implementation in the study states. The surveys were completed within two weeks of the completion of SMC cycle one. Mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to explore the factors associated with adherence to referrals among caregivers-child pairs.ResultsThe socio-demographic characteristics of caregiver considered in the model were not found to be significantly associated with children down with fever taking to hospital for treatment, however the caregiver whose child was referred by CDs had significantly higher odds of seeking healthcare compared to those that were not referred (OR: 1.892, 95% CI 1.081–3.310, p = 0.025). There are higher odds of children seeking treatment among those that were referred by CDs.ConclusionThe study's findings shed light on the adherence to referral advice and the factors influencing caregiver behaviour during SMC implementation. Referral of sick child during SMC campaign appears to ensure health-seeking for malaria case management among caregivers-child peer in target communities.

Cultural adaptations of the WHO iSupport for dementia: A scoping review.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has developed iSupport for Dementia, a self-paced online training programme for caregivers of people with dementia which is adaptable to different cultural contexts. This scoping review aims to understand the iSupport adaptation process in different countries and provide recommendations for future adaptations. A systematic search was done in electronic databases such as Pubmed, MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, and EMBASE to obtain relevant publications up to 18 February 2024. Only full-text publications describing iSupport cultural adaptation process were included. The publications obtained were reviewed using the Cultural Adaptation Process framework. Thirteen publications from ten studies were eligible for inclusion. Based on the Cultural Adaptation Process framework, the steps undertaken in the studies were grouped into: (i) setting the stage, (ii) initial adaptation, and (iii) adaptation iterations. The three significant players in this process are the intervention developer (researchers), the cultural adaptation specialist (researchers, caregivers, and dementia care professionals), and the target community (caregivers). In the publications reviewed, cultural adaptation was mostly undertaken using a co-design process between researchers, caregivers, and dementia care professionals deciding on necessary modifications. iSupport for Dementia is a versatile programme to support caregivers and is readily available for adaptation to different cultural settings. It is essential to engage caregivers early in co-designing its cultural adaptations to ensure their needs can be met by this online tool.

Housing infrastructure and women in care: COVID-19 experiences from urban informal settlements of Khulna, Bangladesh

Urban informal settlements in the Global South, home to over a billion people, face significant challenges due to limited space and inadequate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and Solid Waste Management (SWM) infrastructure. These deficiencies significantly impact women's ‘triple care role’—reproductive, productive, and community caregiving responsibilities—within their families, society, and the economy, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore how inadequate infrastructure in three informal settlements in Khulna, Bangladesh, influenced women's caregiving roles during the pandemic and their responses. Through semi-structured interviews with 24 women community leaders, who served as front-line workers during COVID-19, and supporting fieldwork, we discovered that women adapted by modifying their habits and the spatial layouts of their homes for isolation. Although some improvements were noted in WASH and SWM conditions, significant challenges remained, particularly in temporary housing, household adaptability, and reproductive responsibilities Despite facing informal employment, financial constraints, and food insecurity, women showed resilience through leadership, socio-political networking, and community initiatives. This study underscores the urgent need for adaptive infrastructure planning to improve living conditions in informal settlements, with a focus on proactive management of both spatial and non-spatial resources to enhance adaptation in resource-scarce contexts.

Perceptions around sleep hygiene practices and beliefs among urban Black adolescents and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectiveThis study gathered adolescent and caregiver perspectives on sleep hygiene practices and beliefs for Black families living in low-resourced urban communities. MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with adolescents (n = 9) and caregivers (n = 9) from January-March 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interview questions included adolescent’s current sleep habits, barriers, and home and neighborhood influences. Trained researchers coded data using inductive analysis and a constant comparative method to derive themes. ResultsTwo themes focused on sleep hygiene practices, including items used to facilitate sleep (e.g., melatonin, electronics) and COVID-19 consequences on sleep schedules. Two themes focused on sleep hygiene beliefs, including a common value on the importance of sleep and influences on caregiver’s bedtime rules. ConclusionsFindings provide important insights on sleep hygiene practices and beliefs in a historically marginalized population of Black adolescents and caregivers in urban communities to inform targeted sleep interventions, policies, and programs for optimal sleep and well-being.