Examining skills and coping in teens' daily lives

Examining Mechanisms of Change in Adolescent Self-Inflicted Injury

NA · University of Utah · NCT06720753

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

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment200 (estimated)
Ages13 Years to 18 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Utah (other)
Locations1 site (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Trial IDNCT06720753 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

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.

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.

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 performed: 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.

Eligibility criteria

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 this trial is running

Salt Lake City, Utah

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Self Injurious Behavior, Suicide, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Therapy mechanisms, Adolescents, Families, fMRI, Psychophysiological measures

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.