Preventive interventions for at-risk high school students with conduct problems
Official title: Pathways 2 Success: A Study of School-Based Prevention Programs Supporting Positive Adolescent Development
Run by University of Minnesota · NCT06831123 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing three different programs to see if they can help high school students who are at risk for behavior problems feel better and make better choices.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase1; Phase2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 13 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Minnesota Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Minneapolis, Minnesota) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 12, 2025 |
| Main results expected | February 28, 2027 |
| Study ends | February 28, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | April 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06831123 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are 9th or 10th grade students in partner schools who have been identified as at risk for conduct problems.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients currently receiving special education services for behavioral or emotional disturbances or those with serious psychiatric disorders 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 study is a randomized controlled trial that evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of three different preventive interventions aimed at reducing the risk of conduct problems in adolescents. High school students identified as at risk will be assigned to one of three groups: a mindfulness-based program, a mindfulness-based program enhanced with a mobile app, or a life skills program. Assessments will be conducted by adolescents, parents, and teachers at baseline, two weeks after the intervention, and at a three-month follow-up to measure outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide effective preventive strategies to help at-risk adolescents manage conduct problems and improve their social-emotional well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in using mindfulness and life skills programs for adolescents, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. A 9th or 10th grade student in a partner school district 2. Referral due to elevated social/emotional risk indicated on a standardized screening tool or a referral from school support staff due to concerns about school-based conduct problems 3. Adolescents and their parents must be fluent in English Exclusion Criteria: 1. Currently receiving special education services (i.e., an IEP) due to a behavioral or emotional disturbance 2. Existing diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder, pervasive developmental disorders, developmental/intellectual disability, or serious psychiatric disorders requiring specialized mental health treatment (e.g., psychosis, bipolar, substance use disorder, etc.)
Where it's running
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Timothy Piehler — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Nicole Morrell
- Email: morre006@umn.edu
- Phone: 612-624-2600
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Augmenting Parent Management Training with a Smartphone Tool
This study tests whether adding a smartphone app to parent management training helps reduce irritability and temper outbursts in kids aged 8–13 with disruptive behavior disorders.
-
Personalized treatment for children with disruptive behavior and their parents
This study is testing a personalized treatment approach for children aged 6-12 with disruptive behavior and their parents to see if it can improve the effectiveness of therapy.
-
Understanding children's emotions in therapy
This study is testing a new therapy approach for kids aged 8 to 15 with anxiety, depression, trauma, or behavior issues to see if it helps them feel better compared to those who aren't receiving treatment right away.
-
Therapy approaches for irritability in youths: active treatments vs nonactive psychoeducation
This study tests whether active psychotherapies for irritability in kids aged 8–16.5 years work better than nonactive, time-matched psychoeducation for children and their parents.
-
ACTsocially: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help teens with social anxiety and oppositional behavior
This project will test whether a transdiagnostic Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) program can reduce social anxiety and oppositional defiant behaviors in adolescents who have both conditions.
-
Real-life effects of medication and group therapy for ADHD and disruptive behaviors
This project will test whether methylphenidate and/or group psychotherapy help children and adolescents (ages 8–15) with ADHD and emotional or behavioral dysregulation.
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.