How childhood adversity affects therapy skills in depressed teens

The Influence of Childhood Adversity on Psychotherapy Skill Acquisition in Adolescent Depression

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10891660

This study is looking at how tough experiences in childhood, like abuse or neglect, affect how well teenagers with depression can learn and use important therapy skills, especially those used in cognitive behavioral therapy, to help them feel better.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-10891660 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how experiences of childhood adversity, such as abuse or neglect, impact the ability of adolescents to learn and apply therapy skills, particularly cognitive restructuring, which is a key component of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The study will involve assessing a group of 90 depressed adolescents to understand how their past adversities influence their learning processes during therapy. By identifying these relationships, the research aims to improve therapeutic interventions for youths who have faced significant challenges in their early lives.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12-20 who have experienced significant childhood adversity and are currently facing depression.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced childhood adversity or who are outside the age range of 12-20 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective therapy strategies tailored for adolescents who have experienced childhood adversity, improving their mental health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding the impact of childhood adversity on therapy outcomes can lead to improved treatment approaches, indicating that this area of investigation is both relevant and potentially impactful.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.