Measuring and mapping risk and resilience in sexual minority preteens and related ages
Official title: Measuring and Mapping Trajectories of Risk and Resilience for Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Sexual and Gender Minority Preteens
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11402717 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly look at how researchers will track how risk and resilience develop in sexual minority kids and teens who may be at risk for suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $641,130 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH137695-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11402717 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are SM youth ages roughly preteen to late adolescence who participate with parental involvement and consent.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may contribute data without directly benefiting from immediate interventions.
What this research studies
This project will follow SM preteens and related ages to map how risk factors and protective factors unfold over time. Researchers will use a multimethod approach, including expert panels, surveys, and interviews with youth and parents, to develop valid measures and understand trajectories of STBs and resilience. The team at Vanderbilt plans to engage youth and family voices to ensure the work reflects real-life experiences and ethical considerations. The goal is to build better tools and knowledge that can guide supportive care and prevention efforts for SM youth and their families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to better screening, safer supports, and targeted interventions to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors among sexual minority youth.
How similar studies have gone: Previous similar efforts show that multi-method, youth-informed research can improve understanding of risk and resilience in SM youth, though this area is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clark, Kirsty a — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Clark, Kirsty a
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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.