Investigating how sleep problems affect suicidal thoughts in young people receiving psychiatric care

Examining the Association Between Sleep Deficiencies and Suicidal Ideation in Peripubertal Youth Receiving Intensive Psychiatric Services: A Multi-Modal Approach

NIH-funded research University of Rhode Island · NIH-11073148

This study is looking at how not getting enough sleep might affect thoughts of suicide in young people going through puberty who are getting mental health treatment, using daily journals and wrist monitors to track their sleep and feelings.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Rhode Island NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Kingston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11073148 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the relationship between sleep deficiencies and suicidal ideation in peripubertal youth who are receiving intensive psychiatric services. By using a combination of subjective daily diaries and objective measures like wrist-based actigraphy, the study aims to capture the dynamic effects of sleep quality, duration, and timing on next-day suicidal thoughts. The research also considers other factors such as depressive symptoms and childhood adversity to provide a comprehensive view of the risks involved. This approach is particularly important as it addresses a vulnerable population that has been largely overlooked in previous studies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are peripubertal youth aged 12-20 who are experiencing severe stress and receiving psychiatric services.

Not a fit: Patients outside the peripubertal age range or those not experiencing psychiatric issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions for preventing suicidal thoughts in young people by addressing sleep issues.

How similar studies have performed: While research on sleep and suicide risk in adults has shown promising results, this specific focus on peripubertal youth is relatively novel and untested.

Where this research is happening

Kingston, 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 2026-06-13 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.