Social Threat, Adolescent Relationships, and Suicidality Study

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

About this trial

In recent years, adolescents are having higher rates of emotional health problems, such as suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). The goal of this study is to learn about how teens' attention to different types of information relates to their real-world relationships and their emotional health. The investigators hope this study will help understand why some teens go on to have suicidal thoughts and behaviors and other teens do not. This information will help investigators learn how to improve emotional health in teens and reduce teen suicides.

Participants will be 100 female adolescents (ages 12-17) at high risk for STBs who will complete a series of assessments over the course of 6 months. Assessments include a baseline clinical interview, a visit to examine neural responses during a computer tasks, daily smartphone surveys about social experiences and social connectedness, and follow up questionnaires assessing STBs. Participants will also be asked to donate their text messages during the month that they complete smartphone surveys.

The research procedures will help investigators learn how adolescents react to different types of social situations. Investigators want to see if these reactions affect:

1. How connected adolescents feel to others in their daily lives 2. Adolescents' longer-term risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs)

Participants will be asked to:

* Complete a 10-15 minute screening call to determine eligibility for the study * Complete one 3 hour virtual (or in-person) interview consisting of a clinical assessment and questionnaires. * Complete a 2.5-hour in person visit to complete computer tasks while record brain signals are recorded * Complete \~5 minute smartphone surveys three times a day for 30 days, asking about their daily social experiences and their mood and feelings. * Provide investigators with retrospective access to their text/direct messages from the month the participant was completing the smartphone surveys. * Complete online follow-up questionnaires at 3 and 6 months

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Between ages 12-17

Reported recurrent suicidal thoughts and behaviors and/or non-suicidal self-injury within the past year.

Medically and neurologically healthy, including no evidence of intellectual disability or serious cognitive impairment that would interfere with task performance

Assigned female at birth

Disqualifiers

Unable to read or speak English or cognitive impairment preventing ability to complete assessments

Lifetime presence of a neurological or serious medical condition

Lifetime presence of a DSM-5 Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Current DSM-5 Psychotic Disorder or severe Substance Use Disorder

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Social threat

Treatment groups

100 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment group

Sponsors and collaborators

University of Pittsburgh

Lead sponsor

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator