Understanding how imagining the future affects suicidal thoughts in teens
Official title: Prospection in suicidal teens: Identifying a novel and malleable cognitive risk factor
Funded at Columbia University Teachers College · NIH-10580100 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well teenagers can picture specific future events and how that might connect to their thoughts about suicide, with the goal of finding ways to help reduce those thoughts over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Teachers College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2018 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $440,445 |
| NIH project number | 2R15MH113076-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10580100 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who experience suicidal thoughts or ideation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience suicidal thoughts or are outside the age range of 12 to 20 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the ability of adolescents to imagine specific future events relates to their suicidal thoughts. By focusing on a cognitive risk factor known as prospection specificity, the study aims to identify how detailed and localized future thinking can influence suicidal ideation. The researchers will conduct longitudinal assessments to gather data over time, allowing for a better understanding of the relationship between future thinking and suicidal thoughts. This approach seeks to develop real-world strategies to help reduce suicidal ideation among teens.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new interventions that help prevent suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding cognitive factors related to suicidal ideation, but this specific approach focusing on prospection specificity is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Teachers College
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gaba, Ayorkor — Columbia University Teachers College
- Study coordinator: Gaba, Ayorkor
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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.