Development and Testing of imHere4U: A Digital Suicide Prevention Intervention for Cyberbullied Adolescents

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age12-17
SponsorUniversity of Pittsburgh

About this trial

The objective of this study is to test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of Flourish (formerly referred to as imHere4U), a digital suicide prevention intervention for cyberbullied adolescents.

The specific aims are to:

Aim #1: Conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing Flourish+Questionnaires vs. Questionnaires Alone among cyberbullied youth at-risk for suicide ages 12-17 (N=80, \>35% underserved youth).

H2a. Primary outcome: Feasibility will be evidenced by recruitment/retention rates \> 80% and imHere4U engagement \> 70%.

H2b. Secondary outcomes: Youth assigned to Flourish+Questionnaires will report improved problem-solving capacity, distress tolerance, and motivation and reduced distress and suicidal ideation than youth assigned to Questionnaires Alone over the 6-month follow-up period.

Exploratory Aim: Examine the feasibility of delivering feedback on online interactions from machine learning algorithms. All youth assigned to Flourish may optionally provide their social media data to receive feedback from machine learning algorithms. H3a. Feedback from algorithms will have high acceptability (identified via qualitative themes and \>70% acceptance rates) and usability, defined by mean scores on Post-Study System and Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ) \> 6.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

English-speaking

access to a phone or device capable of text messaging

past 3-month history of cyberbullying assessed by the cybervictimization subscale of the Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying Victimization and Perpetration Scale and/or presence of online discrimination measured by a modified version of a discrimination measured developed as part of the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study

past 3-month history of suicidal risk, including: psychological distress (>13 on the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) and/or suicidal ideation or behavior (via the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale)

Disqualifiers

intellectual challenges, low literacy levels, or other conditions that might inhibit adolescents' ability to effectively engage with Flourish (reported by parents and, if needed, confirmed through the age-appropriate Wechsler Intelligence scale)

acuity levels suggesting need for a higher level of care (e.g., inpatient hospitalization) or referral for emergency services

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Flourish
  • Questionnaires of Online Experiences

Treatment groups

80 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups

Sponsors and collaborators

University of Pittsburgh

Lead sponsor

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator