Social Rejection for Sleep
(SASE Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byAric A Prather, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?This study will test the effect of race-based social rejection on polysomnography derived sleep outcomes and nocturnal cardiovascular psychophysiology in a sample of 80 African Americans and 80 Caucasian Americans. The investigators will test group differences on these outcomes as well as within subjects by testing impact of rejection compared to a non-rejection control night in the sleep laboratory.

Eligibility Criteria

This study is for English-speaking African American/Black or Caucasian American/White individuals aged 18-64 who usually sleep between 6.5 and 8.5 hours a night, with bedtime from 10PM to midnight. They must be able to consent and not have conditions like severe sleep apnea, obesity (BMI of 40+), heart issues, major mental health disorders, or take medications affecting sleep/cardiovascular health.

Inclusion Criteria

The required age range for this survey is 18 to 64 years old.

I am a competent English speaker and can provide consent.

I usually sleep for about 6.5 to 8.5 hours a night, in 5/7 nights over the last month

+3 more

Exclusion Criteria

You have a high risk for a condition called obstructive sleep apnea, which affects your breathing while you sleep.

You have a very high body weight for your height.

You have a medical or mental health condition that affects your sleep or heart health, such as diagnosed heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

+1 more

Participant Groups

The trial examines how race-based social rejection affects sleep quality and nighttime heart function in African Americans and Caucasians. It compares the effects of a socially rejecting experience against a control non-rejection scenario during two different nights in a sleep lab.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Social rejection by out-groupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

One hour prior to bed, participants will be exposed to a social rejection paradigm that includes a computerized ball-tossing game (Cyberball) and a speech task. Participants are made to believe that they are being rejected by someone not of their own race/ethnicity (e.g., Caucasian American rejected by another African American).

Group II: Social rejection by in-groupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

One hour prior to bed, participants will be exposed to a social rejection paradigm that includes a computerized ball-tossing game (Cyberball) and a speech task. Participants are made to believe that they are being rejected by someone of their own race/ethnicity (e.g., African American rejected by another African American).