Flourish for middle and high school students affected by cyberbullying

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Flourish is a 4-week automated texting program with an accompanying website that teaches distress tolerance, social problem-solving, and help-seeking skills tailored for youth who have experienced cyberbullying. Middle and high school students (ages 11–21) who report recent cybervictimization and suicide risk factors or are referred by school staff will be onboarded and asked to use Flourish about 2–3 times per week. Participants complete questionnaires and clinical interviews at baseline and follow-ups at 2, 4, and 12 weeks to track psychological distress, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and social media experiences. The pilot will measure feasibility (≥80% recruitment/retention and weekly use by ≥80% of participants) and change in distress and suicidal ideation over three months, plus exit interviews with school personnel to identify implementation barriers and facilitators.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* 11-21 years old
* English-speaking
* have access to a cell phone or tablet that can send/receive SMS text messages
* identified as a student who could benefit from the program by a school staff member - OR - screened eligible based on experiencing cyberbullying and suicide risk factors in the past 3 months
* past 3-month history of cyberbullying assessed by the cybervictimization subscale of the Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying Victimization Scale and/or presence of online discrimination as measured by a modified measure from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD study)
* past 3-month history of suicide risk factors, assessed by: psychological distress (\>13 on the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) and/or suicidal ideation or behavior (via the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale)

Exclusion Criteria:

* if a student has a condition that might inhibit their ability to effectively engage with Flourish (e.g., intellectual challenges or low literacy levels)
* if a students' level of acuity would suggest a higher level of care or referral to emergency services
* if a school staff judges the intervention is not appropriate for the student

Where it's running

• Bay Village School District
  Bay Village, Ohio, United States Recruiting
• University of Pittsburgh
  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Candice L Biernesser, PhD — University of Pittsburgh
• Study coordinator: Candice L Biernesser, PhD
• Email: lubbertcl@upmc.edu
• Phone: 412-586-9064

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Evaluating the effects of PRISMA on mental health in pretrial detainees

  This study is testing a new therapy program called PRISMA to see if it can help improve the mental health of people held in pretrial detention.

  Recruiting University of Zurich · Zurich, Canton of Zurich · NCT06197711

• Digital intervention for preventing suicide in cyberbullied teens

  This study is testing a digital program called Flourish to see if it can help teens aged 12-17 who have been bullied online feel better and prevent thoughts of suicide.

  Recruiting University of Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · NCT06002191

• Multi-layered digital monitoring and pharmacogenomics to prevent suicide in adults with depression

  This study tests whether a digital monitoring system, a digital safety plan, and pharmacogenetic-guided care can reduce suicide re-attempts in adults with depression.

  Recruiting Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz · Madrid, Madrid · NCT07885722

• Healing Hearts: A Mindfulness App for Parents Navigating Divorce or Separation

  A online program tests a self-guided mindfulness app for distressed parents going through divorce or separation, to see if it helps parent and child wellbeing.

  Recruiting University of Connecticut · Stamford, Connecticut · NCT07871916

• Rapid relief of suicidal thoughts with ketamine and a crisis plan in the emergency department

  This study tests whether a single intramuscular dose of ketamine plus a brief Crisis Response Plan helps reduce suicidal thoughts in ED patients who are likely to be admitted.

  Recruiting Phase 2 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio · Fort Hood, Texas and 1 other locations · NCT07868913

• Positive Psychotherapy and Positive CBT for inmates’ distress and well-being

  This study tests two group-based therapies—Positive Psychotherapy and Positive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy—to see if they reduce distress and improve well-being and coping among incarcerated adults in Pakistan.

  Recruiting Bahria University · Karachi, Sindh and 3 other locations · NCT07853352

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.