Understanding how social support affects stress in adolescents
Official title: Social Buffering During Aversive Conditioning
Run by University of Minnesota · NCT04312945 · Data updated 2026-05-14
This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.
This study is testing how support from parents and friends can help reduce stress in teenagers during a challenging experience.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 11 Years to 14 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Minnesota Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Minneapolis, Minnesota) |
| Trial ID | NCT04312945 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adolescents who are able to participate in MRI procedures and have sufficient social support from parents or friends.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with significant medical or psychological conditions, or those who cannot undergo MRI, 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 experiment aims to explore how parental and peer support can buffer stress responses during aversive conditioning in adolescents. Participants will undergo a pubertal assessment and complete questionnaires before being randomly assigned to one of four conditions during an MRI scan: with a primary parent, a close friend, an experimenter, or alone. The study will assess the physiological responses of participants in these different social contexts to understand the effectiveness of social buffering as they develop through puberty.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into how social support can be leveraged to mitigate stress responses in adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this study may be novel, previous research has indicated that social support can positively influence stress responses in various populations.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * sufficient vision to complete assent and study procedures * sufficient hearing to complete assent and study procedures * sufficient language skills to provide verbal and written assent Exclusion Criteria: * Premature birth (less than 37 weeks) * congenital and/or chromosomal disorders (e.g. cerebral palsy, FAS, mental retardation, Turner Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Fragile X) * Autism Spectrum Disorders * history of serious medical illness (e.g., cancer, organ transplant) * youth taking systemic glucocorticoids * youth taking beta-adrenergic medications * diagnoses of psychiatric illness, seizure disorder or other neurological disorders * contraindications for MRI (implanted medical device; presence of non-removal metal in or on the body, including piercings, orthodontic braces or certain permanent retainers) * known pregnancy * tattoos * history of significant claustrophobia
Where it's running
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Megan Gunnar, PhD — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Bonny Donzella
- Email: donzella@umn.edu
- Phone: 6126244351
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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.