Back to search results

Teen Helpline Motivational Interviewing Study

This study is looking at how well a special training called Motivational Interviewing (MI) works for teen helpers on a text-based helpline. MI is a way of talking that helps people find their own reasons to make positive changes. The study wants to see if giving teen helpers this training, along with feedback and practice, helps the young people they talk to seek help more often and improve their mental health. You could join if you are a current helpline peer helper, aged 14-19. The study will measure how much help young people seek and their mental health symptoms after 11 months. The current status of the study is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 206 participants. Some participants will receive Motivational Interviewing training, and others will receive the training plus performance feedback and facilitated practice.
What's involved
You would complete study measures before training and attend and complete assigned Motivational Interviewing training activities. The enhanced training involves monthly feedback and practice sessions over 6 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your help-seeking and mental health will be measured at 11 months after you join the study.

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

NCT07639736

Teen Helpline Motivational Interviewing Study

Recruiting
NAAges 13+InterventionalHealth services
San Diego State University
~206 participants
Updated 2026-06-25 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Motivational Interviewing Training

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
General Help Seeking Questionnaire
Measured over 11 months (consent to post 6-month follow up)
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Implementation Research
Help Seeking

Explore related trials

Well male adolescent

NCT07639736

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.

  • San Diego State University

    San Diego, Californiastudy 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.

Who to contact

Sylvanna M. Vargas, MPH, PhD
[email protected]
3057614632
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Want this trial checked against your situation?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Current helpline peer helpers
Aged 14-19 years.
Provides assent and documented parental consent (when applicable).
Completes study measures prior to the first Motivational Interviewing (MI) training session.
Attends and completes assigned MI training activities.
Has access to technology required for online participation (computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access; videoconferencing capability if needed).
Plans to continue helpline activities throughout the study period.
Aged 13-19 years.
Current U.S. resident.
Has engaged in at least 20 back-and-forth text exchanges with a helpline volunteer.
Demonstrates active communication and engagement on the helpline platform.
Has access to technology required to complete online surveys and, if selected, interviews (computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access).

Exclusion

Identified as currently experiencing acute suicide risk (i.e., assigned a "high-risk" flag by the helpline algorithm or identified as high risk by helpline staff).
Requires immediate crisis intervention or emergency services that could be disrupted by participation in the research study.

What this trial measures

  • General Help Seeking Questionnaire11 months (consent to post 6-month follow up)

    Measure of help seeking behavior. Minimum score = 10; Maximum score = 70. Higher scores indicate greater intentions or willingness to seek help.

  • Patient Health Questionnaire-811 months (consent to post 6-month follow up)

    Measure helpline user distress. Minimum score = 0; Maximum score = 24. Higher scores indicate greater depressive symptom severity.