An app to help young adults build resilience after childhood adversity

Fostering Resilience and Well-being in Young Adults With a History of Adverse Childhood Experiences - the FACE Self-help App

Not applicable Interventional University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland · NCT05824182

This study tests whether a new app can help young adults who faced tough childhood experiences build resilience and feel better compared to those who don’t use the app.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment350 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 25 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland Academic / other
Locations1 site (Olten, Solothurn)
Trial IDNCT05824182 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The FACE self-help app is designed for young adults who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). It utilizes principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy to enhance emotion regulation and social information processing. Participants will engage with the app and complete questionnaires, while their real-life data will be assessed through ecological momentary assessment over three weeks. The study aims to evaluate the app's effectiveness in improving resilience and well-being compared to a waiting list control group.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are young adults aged 18 to 25 who have self-reported experiences of Adverse Childhood Experiences and are proficient in German.

Not a fit: Patients with severe psychological disorders requiring immediate treatment or acute suicidality may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this app could significantly improve the emotional and social functioning of young adults with a history of childhood adversity.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies utilizing online self-help interventions based on cognitive-behavioral principles have shown promising results, indicating potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Self-reported ACEs
* An informed consent
* The possession of a smartphone
* Mastery of the German language.
* Age between 18 and 25

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g., due to comprehension problems, visual impairment, lack of sufficient motor skills or severe psychological or somatic disorders which require immediate treatment which impedes the continuous work on the self-help programme. These points will be discussed with the participant in the screening telephone call.
* Acute suicidality.

Where this trial is running

Olten, Solothurn

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Adverse Childhood ExperiencesPsychosocial FunctioningEmotion RegulationSocial Information ProcessingOnline self-help
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.