Helping youth in the child welfare system manage their emotions to prevent substance use
Emotion Regulation Intervention to Prevent Substance Use Among Youth in the Child Welfare System
This study is testing a friendly program called iTRAC that helps young people who have faced tough situations learn how to manage their emotions better, so they can avoid turning to drugs or alcohol.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhode Island Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11046686 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing an emotion regulation intervention aimed at preventing substance use among youth who have experienced maltreatment. The intervention, called iTRAC, utilizes a tablet-based platform to teach early adolescents skills for managing their emotions effectively. By enhancing emotional self-efficacy and awareness, the program seeks to address the unique challenges faced by this vulnerable population, particularly those within the child welfare system. The approach is designed to be accessible and low-resource, making it easier for youth to engage with the intervention.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are youth aged 12-20 who have experienced maltreatment and are involved in the child welfare system.
Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced maltreatment or are outside the age range of 12-20 may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of substance use among youth with a history of maltreatment.
How similar studies have performed: Previous interventions targeting emotion regulation in similar populations have shown promising results, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Rhode Island Hospital — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Houck, Christopher D. — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Houck, Christopher D.
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.