Helping Young Adolescents Build Strong Identity and Coping Skills

Confirmatory Efficacy of the Building a Strong Identity and Coping Skills Program for Low-Income Young Adolescents

['FUNDING_R01'] · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE · NIH-11142510

This project helps low-income young adolescents learn important skills to manage stress, anxiety, and depression, especially after the COVID pandemic.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorPENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (UNIVERSITY PARK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11142510 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide have significantly increased among young people, particularly for low-income adolescents and those from minoritized groups or rural areas, who faced greater hardships during the COVID pandemic. This project focuses on the Building a Strong Identity and Coping Skills (BaSICS) program, which is designed to support these vulnerable youth. The program teaches individual and group skills for coping with stress and trauma, while also fostering a strong sense of self and empowerment. It is built on principles that consider past traumas and celebrate individual strengths.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are low-income young adolescents, especially those from minoritized racial or ethnic groups or rural areas, who are experiencing anxiety, depression, or stress.

Not a fit: Adolescents who are not in the specified low-income demographic or who do not experience significant mental health challenges may not directly benefit from this specific program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could provide young adolescents with essential tools to improve their mental well-being and better handle life's challenges.

How similar studies have performed: The Building a Strong Identity and Coping Skills (BaSICS) program is based on established, evidence-informed principles, and this work aims to confirm its effectiveness for young adolescents.

Where this research is happening

UNIVERSITY PARK, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.