Understanding how emotions affect decision-making in adolescents who self-injure
Effects of Emotional Reactivity on Decision-Making in Adolescents With Nonsuicidal Self-Injury
This study looks at how emotions affect decision-making in teenagers who hurt themselves and compares it to their peers who don’t, to better understand why they might make harmful choices.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 15 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chengdu, Sichuan) |
| Trial ID | NCT05981612 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study investigates the role of emotional reactivity and prediction errors in dysfunctional decision-making among adolescents who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). The researchers aim to compare these decision-making processes in adolescents with NSSI to those in matched healthy controls. By examining how reward-related expectations and emotional responses influence social decisions, the study seeks to uncover underlying mechanisms that contribute to NSSI behaviors. Participants will be assessed based on their emotional responses to unfair experiences, providing insights into the cognitive and emotional factors at play.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 15-18 who have engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury behaviors at least five times in the past year.
Not a fit: Patients with high suicidal risk or those diagnosed with severe psychiatric disorders may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding and interventions for adolescents struggling with self-injury behaviors.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this study is novel, previous research has indicated the importance of emotional and decision-making processes in understanding NSSI behaviors.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 15-18 years * right-handed * normal or corrected normal visual acuity * meet the proposed DSM-5 frequency criteria (e.g., ≥5 days of NSSI behaviors in the past year) Exclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, major depressive disorder, other * psychiatric disorders, etc. * high suicidal risk * recent use of medications that can affect neural activity * have received or are receiving Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) other treatment for emotional problems within the past 6 months * have a contraindication to MRI scanning (e.g., metal implants, claustrophobia or other conditions that make them inappropriate for MRI scanning)
Where this trial is running
Chengdu, Sichuan
- Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China — Chengdu, Sichuan, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Benjamin Becker
- Email: ben_becker@gmx.de
- Phone: +86.028-61830867
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.