Social Threat, Adolescent Relationships, and Suicidality Study

This study aims to understand how female adolescents (ages 12-17) who have experienced suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) respond to social information. Researchers want to see if how teens pay attention to different emotional expressions relates to their real-world relationships and emotional health. You would participate in an experimental task where you remember faces with different emotions, and your brain activity would be measured using an EEG (a test that records brain waves). The study hopes to learn why some teens develop STBs and how to improve their emotional health. Success would mean understanding how these responses affect social connections and STBs over six months.

Study design
This is an interventional study with 100 female participants, aged 12-17. There is no assignment to different groups; all participants receive the same intervention.
What's involved
You would have a baseline interview, a lab visit for an EEG assessment and experimental task, smartphone surveys, and follow-up assessments at 3 and 6 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for suicidal thoughts and behaviors at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the intervention, and then at three and six months later.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07294079

Social Threat, Adolescent Relationships, and Suicidality Study

Recruiting
NAAges 12–17InterventionalBasic science
University of Pittsburgh
~100 participants
Updated 2026-02-12 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Social threat

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Day-to-day social connectedness
Measured over 1 month
+1 more outcome measured
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors
Social Connectedness
Responses to Social Threat

NCT07294079

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of Pittsburgh

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvaniastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Kiera M James, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Pittsburgh

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

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

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).
  • Day-to-day social connectedness1 month

    Participants will be asked to rate their social connectedness with their parents/caregivers and peers 3x a day for 30 days using a 0 (not connected) to 100 (very connected) point scale.

  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviors1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the intervention as well as three and six months later

    Participants' suicidal thoughts and behaviors will be assessed will be assessed using the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview (SITBI) and Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Jr (SIQ-JR). Severity of suicidal thoughts and behaviors will be operationalized as (0) absent, (1) passive SI, (2) active SI, (3) SI with a method, (4) SI with some intent, but no specific plan, (5) SI with specific plan and intent, and (6) suicide attempt(s).