Understanding how mindfulness can help youth at risk for mood disorders
Official title: Neurobehavioral Targets of Mindfulness in Youth At Risk for Mood Disorders
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11035159 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how mindfulness practices can help young people who are at risk for mood disorders by improving their emotional control and mood, and it aims to find out who might benefit the most from these techniques.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | April 21, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $660,273 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH127021-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11035159 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12-20 who exhibit mood lability and have a familial risk for mood disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not exhibit mood lability or do not have a family history of mood disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on mood lability in youth who are at risk for mood disorders. It aims to understand the neural and behavioral mechanisms behind how mindfulness can improve emotional regulation and decrease mood symptoms. By focusing on adolescents, a critical period for mood disorder onset, the study seeks to identify which individuals may benefit most from these interventions. The research will utilize various assessments to measure changes in mood and brain connectivity associated with mindfulness practices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective mindfulness-based strategies that help reduce mood swings and improve emotional well-being in at-risk youth.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that mindfulness-based interventions can effectively reduce mood symptoms in youth, indicating a promising approach for this population.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hafeman, Danella Marie — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Hafeman, Danella Marie
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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.