Examining skills and coping in teens' daily lives
Official title: Examining Mechanisms of Change in Adolescent Self-Inflicted Injury
Run by University of Utah · NCT06720753 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing two different skills to see which helps teens who have hurt themselves feel better and cope with stress in their daily lives.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 13 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Utah Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Salt Lake City, Utah) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 29, 2024 |
| Main results expected | March 31, 2029 |
| Study ends | March 31, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | January 30, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06720753 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 12-18 with a history of at least three incidents of self-inflicted injury, including at least one serious suicide attempt.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with moderate to severe developmental disabilities, psychosis, or those on specific medications affecting psychophysiological responses may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to compare two core intervention skills among adolescents with a history of self-inflicted injury, including suicide attempts. Participants will complete surveys five times a day on their phones to assess skill use in daily life and the impact of life stress on skill retention. The study will also explore how various factors, such as brain-related and family-related influences, affect the practice of these skills and their effectiveness in reducing self-harm and suicide risk. The intervention involves teaching skills to adolescents in collaboration with their parents during discussions about common arguments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved coping strategies and reduced self-harm and suicide risk among adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: While there is existing evidence for interventions targeting self-injurious behavior, this study's specific approach to examining skill use in real-time is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 3+ incidents of self-inflicted injury (SII). At least one SII episode must score a minimum of "3" on lethality (moderate; e.g., overdose on 11-50 pills; deep cuts anywhere but neck) and "4" on intent (somewhat serious \[about dying\]) - even if aborted or interrupted. Adolescents with 3+ SIIs may also enroll if they have been hospitalized for suicide preparatory behavior. * English language proficiency * Access to a smart phone * Parent/caregiver/legal guardian to participate with the adolescent Exclusion Criteria: * Moderate to severe developmental or intellectual disability, psychosis, or a schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis. * Those taking medications with well-documented effects on psychophysiological responding.
Where it's running
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Erin Kaufman, Ph.D. — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Erin Kaufman, Ph.D.
- Email: erin.kaufman@utah.edu
- Phone: 8017819433
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Combining the Youth-Nominated Support Team with CBT for Black adolescents at acute suicide risk
This project will test whether adding a computer-assisted Youth-Nominated Support Team to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention helps Black adolescents (ages 12-17) who come to an urban emergency setting with suicidal thoughts or self-injury.
-
Youth Empowerment and Safety program for sexual and gender minority teens
This project will try Peer Support Specialist (PSS) services to see if they help sexual and gender minority youth ages 12–17 who are involved with juvenile justice, child welfare, or community mental health and who have experienced self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
-
Understanding the impact of mood disorders and treatment responses
This study is trying to learn more about how people with depression and bipolar disorder respond to treatment by talking to them weekly for up to 12 weeks to improve future care and predict how well medications might work.
-
Friends and family training for those at risk of suicide
A six-week program tests whether training for caregivers can help them support a loved one at risk of suicide while also taking care of their own mental health.
-
Inhaled DMT for major depressive disorder
This trial tests whether inhaled DMT can quickly ease depressive symptoms and reduce suicide risk in adults with major depressive disorder.
-
Suicide risk and learned suicide ability in people with mood disorders
This project will try to identify which biological, psychological, social, and clinical factors relate to suicide risk and the learned ability for suicide in people aged 16–60 with mood disorders by collecting blood, urine, and questionnaire data.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.