NIH-funded research R01 grant

Helping young people with Type 1 diabetes build resilience and manage their care

Official title: Strengths-Based Multi-Level Behavioral Intervention to Promote Resilience and Self-Management in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes

Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11239042 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This program uses mobile apps, brief family goal meetings, and positive clinic support to help early adolescents with Type 1 diabetes manage blood sugar and feel better about daily care.

More Diabetes research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBaylor College of Medicine
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project startJuly 20, 2022
Project endMay 31, 2028
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$120,375
NIH project number3R01DK131350-03S1
Project IDNIH-11239042 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes (and their parents) living in the Houston or Washington, D.C. areas who can use smartphone apps are ideal candidates.

Less likely to help

People without Type 1 diabetes, families who cannot use smartphones or attend local clinic visits, or those living outside the study cities are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.

What this research studies

You and your child will use smartphone apps: parents get prompts to notice and praise positive diabetes behaviors, and youth get tools for positive interactions plus videos from older teens with Type 1 diabetes. Families will hold a weekly five-minute meeting to set and celebrate a diabetes self-management goal, and clinicians will highlight what youth are doing well during routine clinic visits. The six-month program randomly assigns 250 diverse families to the new approach or enhanced usual care. Study staff will track blood sugar control (HbA1c and time-in-range), engagement in self-care tasks, and health-related quality of life.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If it works, it could help young people keep blood sugar in range, strengthen daily diabetes habits, and improve quality of life.

How similar studies have gone: Previous family- and technology-based programs for pediatric Type 1 diabetes have shown promising improvements in self-care and glycemic outcomes, while this specific multi-level, strengths-based combination is relatively new.

Where this research is happening

  • Baylor College of Medicine
    Houston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Hilliard, Marisa Ellen — Baylor College of Medicine
  • Study coordinator: Hilliard, Marisa Ellen

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Strengths-based program to boost resilience and self-management in youths with Type 1 diabetes

    A youth-focused program uses strengths-based strategies to help children and teens with Type 1 diabetes manage their care better and stay on track during early adolescence.

    NIH research Baylor College of Medicine · Houston, United States · NIH-11345111

  • Helping young people with Type 1 diabetes manage their condition better

    This study is all about helping kids aged 8-12 with Type 1 diabetes learn to manage their condition better by focusing on their strengths and building their confidence, so they can feel healthier and happier as they grow up.

    NIH research Baylor College of Medicine · Houston, United States · NIH-10843850

  • Improving Sleep for Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

    This project helps young adults with type 1 diabetes learn ways to manage their sleep better, hoping to improve their blood sugar control.

    NIH research Case Western Reserve University · Cleveland, United States · NIH-11124765

  • Improving diabetes management for teenagers using advanced technology.

    This study is all about helping teenagers with Type 1 diabetes use new technology to manage their blood sugar better, by giving them real-time data and personal tips, while also testing a new program to encourage healthier habits.

    NIH research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, United States · NIH-11031326

  • Improving sleep management for young adults with type 1 diabetes

    This study is looking at how a sleep program can help young adults with type 1 diabetes, ages 18-30, get better sleep, which might help them manage their blood sugar and feel healthier overall.

    NIH research Case Western Reserve University · Cleveland, United States · NIH-10915497

  • Helping African Americans with Type 2 Diabetes manage their health better.

    This study is looking to help African Americans with Type 2 diabetes by offering a special 24-month program that includes support and education focused on building resilience and managing their health better, and it will compare this approach to regular diabetes education to see which works best.

    NIH research University of Texas at Austin · Austin, United States · NIH-10694944

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.