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Teen Helpline Motivational Interviewing Study

San Diego State University · with National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) · NCT07639736

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Opens the official ClinicalTrials.gov record, with the study team’s contacts. Bored Studies doesn’t enroll anyone.

Key facts

Compensation
Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
Who can join
Ages 13+ · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Interventional · Not applicable
Target enrollment
206
US sites recruiting
1
Study start
August 28, 2025
Record last updated
June 25, 2026

Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.

What the study is about

The proposed study will establish a foundation for research within peer-delivered helplines for teens. It aims to evaluate the impact of a Motivational Interviewing training at peer-to-peer helpline. The study will leverage emerging technologies to surmount the challenges of providing tailored training to a large and diverse mental health workforce at scale.

Aim 1: Adapt Motivational Interviewing (MI) strategies for use in a teen peer-delivered text-based digital helpline.

Aim 2: Co-design performance feedback (PF) and facilitated practice (FP) processes to support MI adherence among peer helpers.

Aim 3: Examine feasibility, acceptability, and initial outcomes in a pilot feasibility trial. Peer helpers (N=50) will be randomized to receive MI training or MI training + PF-FP.

Being studied: Motivational Interviewing Training

Conditions: Implementation Research; Help Seeking

Eligibility criteria

Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Teen Helpers

  • 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.

Teen Users

  • 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 Criteria

Teen Helpers

  • Plans to discontinue helpline activities within the next 8 months.

Teen Users

  • 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.

Recruiting US locations

  • San Diego State University

    San Diego, CA 92182-8000

    Site contact: Sylvanna M. Vargas, MPH, PhD · 3057614632 · svargas3@sdsu.edu

All mental health studies in California →
Teen Helpline Motivational Interviewing Study (NCT07639736) | Bored Studies