Digital tracking of emotions and suicidal thoughts for people at high risk for psychosis
Digital Monitoring of Emotion Regulation and Suicidal Ideation among Individuals at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis
This project uses smartphone prompts and sensor data to track emotional changes and moments of suicidal thinking in people at clinical high risk for psychosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249673 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive brief smartphone prompts throughout the day and the study may collect phone or wearable sensor data to capture your emotions, how and when you try to manage them, and any suicidal thoughts. The team uses a stepwise model of emotion regulation that looks at identifying feelings, choosing a strategy, putting it into action, and monitoring whether it worked. Researchers will look for patterns like delayed regulation or ineffective strategies that may lead to emotional cascades and suicidal thinking. Data are gathered in real time with ecological momentary assessment and physiological signals such as heart-rate changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People identified as being at clinical high risk for psychosis who experience mood or suicidal thoughts and who can use a smartphone (and possibly a wearable) are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are not at clinical high risk for psychosis, who do not experience suicidal thoughts, or who cannot use smartphone-based tools may not directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help spot early warning signs and timing of suicidal thoughts so clinicians or digital tools can intervene sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Previous ecological momentary assessment work in psychosis has linked momentary emotion-regulation problems to suicidal thoughts, though applying a detailed emotion-regulation staging model in real time is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wastler, Heather M. — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Wastler, Heather M.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.