Understanding how to help adolescents who self-harm
Examining Mechanisms of Change in Adolescent Self-Inflicted Injury
This study is looking at how we can help teenagers who hurt themselves by teaching them skills to manage their emotions better, and it will use brain scans and real-time check-ins to see how stress affects these skills in their everyday lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11059950 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the underlying mechanisms that contribute to self-inflicted injuries among adolescents, focusing on how therapeutic skills can be effectively taught and retained in daily life. The study will utilize advanced techniques such as fMRI to explore brain functions related to skill acquisition and ecological momentary assessment to measure real-time emotional responses. By examining the impact of life stress on these skills, the research aims to identify effective strategies for improving emotional regulation in young people. The findings could lead to more accessible and practical interventions for adolescents struggling with self-harm.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who are experiencing self-inflicted injuries or emotional dysregulation.
Not a fit: Patients who are outside the age range of 12 to 20 or who do not experience self-harming behaviors may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapeutic approaches that help adolescents manage their emotions and reduce self-harming behaviors.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using similar therapeutic approaches, but this study aims to explore new mechanisms that have not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaufman, Erin Anne — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Kaufman, Erin Anne
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 below.