Helping aging caregivers of Alzheimer's patients reduce suicide risk.
Official title: Reducing suicide risk among aging caregivers of persons with AD/ADRD: Adapting, implementing, and evaluating Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills training interventions.
Funded at Texas Tech University · NIH-10730708 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help family members and friends who care for people with Alzheimer's and similar conditions by teaching them special skills to manage stress and emotions, making it easier for them to cope and feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Tech University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lubbock, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $458,705 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AG080446-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10730708 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are informal caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's Disease or related dementias who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or distress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's Disease or related dementias may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on informal caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias, who often face significant emotional distress and a heightened risk of suicide. The project aims to adapt Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training specifically for these caregivers, making it more accessible and relevant to their unique challenges. By developing and implementing tailored DBT skills groups, the research seeks to improve the mental health and well-being of caregivers, ultimately reducing suicide-related outcomes. The effectiveness of these adapted interventions will be evaluated through feasibility and acceptability assessments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly lower the rates of suicide ideation among aging caregivers of Alzheimer's patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that adaptations of DBT can be effective in reducing suicide risk in various populations, suggesting a promising approach for this specific group.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Singer, Jonathan — Texas Tech University
- Study coordinator: Singer, Jonathan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Together We Can: a multi-level suicide prevention program for teens, teachers, and caregivers
A new program for 12–19 year-olds, their teachers, and caregivers to reduce suicide risk through school-based activities, expanded mental health literacy, and guided help-seeking.
-
Social connection and suicide risk for ADRD caregivers
A study in adults who care for someone with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias will look at how feeling lonely or like a burden affects suicide risk.
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How major life changes relate to suicide risk across adulthood
This project looks at how big life changes—like losing a job, moving, getting sick, or losing a partner—relate to thinking about suicide, attempts, and suicide deaths in adults of different ages.
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Exploring how life changes affect suicide risk
This study looks at how big life changes, like moving, changing jobs, or shifts in relationships, might affect the risk of suicide, and it’s designed to help understand these risks better so we can find ways to prevent them for people at different stages of life.
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Exploring how social connections affect suicide risk in caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias.
This study looks at how having friends and family around can affect the mental health of caregivers who support people with Alzheimer's and related conditions, especially focusing on how loneliness and feeling overwhelmed might increase the risk of suicide among them.
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The impact of caregiving for spouses with dementia on aging
This study looks at how taking care of a spouse with dementia might make caregivers age faster, by exploring the stress they experience and how it affects their health, with the goal of finding ways to better support them.
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.