How teens' responses to social threat relate to relationships and suicidal thoughts
Official title: Neurocognitive Responses to Social Threat: Links to Day-to-day Connectedness and Suicidality in Adolescent Girls
Run by University of Pittsburgh · NCT07294079 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether how girls assigned female at birth ages 12–17 pay attention to social threats relates to their daily relationships and suicidal thoughts or self-harm.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 12 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 19, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2030 |
| Study ends | August 30, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | February 12, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07294079 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adolescents assigned female at birth aged 12–17 who have had recurrent suicidal thoughts, suicide-related behaviors, or non-suicidal self-injury in the past year, are medically and neurologically healthy, can read English, and own an iPhone are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Teens who are male or outside the 12–17 age range, have current psychotic disorder, severe substance use disorder, autism spectrum disorder, serious neurological or medical conditions, uncorrected visual impairment, or who do not own an iPhone are not eligible and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Researchers will enroll 100 adolescents assigned female at birth, ages 12–17, who have had recent suicidal thoughts, behaviors, or non-suicidal self-injury. Participants complete a baseline clinical interview, a lab visit with EEG while doing a face-memory task that presents angry, sad, happy, and neutral expressions, and daily smartphone surveys plus passive data collection over several weeks. Follow-up questionnaires at 3 and 6 months will track changes in suicidal thoughts and social connectedness to link brain responses to real-world social experience. Text message donation is requested to augment the passive social data.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify brain and behavior markers that predict which teens are at higher risk, informing earlier, more targeted prevention and support.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research using EEG/ERP and smartphone-based daily surveys has shown promise linking neural responses to social stimuli with real-world emotional states, but applying these methods specifically to predicting adolescent suicidality is still an emerging area.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Between ages 12-17 * Reported recurrent suicidal thoughts and behaviors and/or non-suicidal self-injury within the past year. * Medically and neurologically healthy, including no evidence of intellectual disability or serious cognitive impairment that would interfere with task performance * Assigned female at birth * Willing and able to give informed assent * Own an iPhone Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to read or speak English or cognitive impairment preventing ability to complete assessments * Lifetime presence of a neurological or serious medical condition * Lifetime presence of a DSM-5 Autistic Spectrum Disorder * Current DSM-5 Psychotic Disorder or severe Substance Use Disorder * Uncorrected visual disturbance (\<20/40 Snellen visual acuity) * Presence of head injury or congenital neurological anomalies (based on parent report).
Where it's running
-
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kiera M James, PhD — University of Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Kiera M James, Ph.D.
- Email: kij9@pitt.edu
- Phone: 412-634-0004
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Va Meh Du: Soccer program with mental health education for Karenni refugees
This program tests whether adding mental health education to weekly soccer helps Karenni boys and men improve coping skills and social connection.
-
PRECISE — a personalized suicide-prevention program using daily mood and behavior data
This project will test whether using frequent mood and behavior tracking plus tailored coaching and safety planning can help reduce suicidal thoughts in adults at high risk.
-
Mindfulness practice with Tao art to improve well-being
This study is testing if a special mindfulness practice using Tao art can help adults feel less stressed and more connected to others.
-
Qnnections: a 10-week group program to build social connection for LGBTQ+ and other minoritized Veterans
This project will test whether Qnnections, a 10-week group program, can increase social connection and reduce suicide risk for LGBTQ+ and other minoritized Veterans who have recent suicidal thoughts or behavior.
-
Reward Sensitivity Digital App for Adolescent Suicidal Thoughts
A smartphone app is tested in teens to see if daily check-ins and mood-building activities can reduce suicidal thoughts and improve mood.
-
Brief Online Help for Suicidal Thoughts in LGBTQ+ Youth
This online, self-guided program tests whether a short intervention can help reduce suicidal thoughts in LGBTQ+ youth in Canada.
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.