What is Supporting Teen Problem Solving (STePS) studying for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?

STePS is being studied to see if it can reduce diabetes-specific emotional distress and help maintain better blood sugar control in teens. Researchers want to understand how well the program works when delivered in real-world settings by existing healthcare providers. The study is sponsored by Jill Weissberg-Benchell, Ph.D.

Who may be eligible for this Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus clinical trial?

Teens aged 14 to 18 with a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes for at least one year may be eligible. Participants must use daily basal/bolus insulin, be fluent in English, and able to access telehealth services. People with cognitive or developmental disorders or those who are wards of the state cannot participate. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the study program and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. Personal travel or other expenses may vary and might not be covered by the study. Participants should consider these costs when joining.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 14Years - 18Years

All Genders

ID06709755

Effectiveness and Implementation Study of STePS to Reduce Diabetes Emotional Distress in Teens Delivered In-Person or Via Telehealth

Led by Jill Weissberg-Benchell, Ph.D. · Updated on 2026-05-29

360

Participants Needed

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of Supporting Teen Problem Solving STePS, an intervention designed to reduce diabetes-specific emotional distress in teenagers with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The study includes 360 teens aged 14 to 18 from diverse backgrounds across six clinical sites. It compares STePS delivered in-person or via telehealth against an educational control group, focusing on improving emotional distress and preventing worsening blood sugar control over time. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups STePS in-person, STePS via telehealth, or diabetes education via telehealth. Each group participates in a 4.5-month program consisting of nine sessions held twice monthly. STePS is a group-based behavioral intervention teaching emotion regulation and problem-solving skills to help teens manage diabetes-related distress. The study also examines how these delivery methods affect the uptake and sustainability of the intervention in real-world diabetes clinics. Throughout the study, participants complete surveys at the start, immediately after the intervention, and at 6 and 12 months post-intervention to measure diabetes distress and blood sugar control Time in Range. Qualitative data from focus groups will explore participant and provider experiences. Researchers will assess recruitment, adherence, acceptability, costs, and program fidelity. The total participation spans about 16.5 months, including follow-up assessments to evaluate both clinical and practical outcomes of the intervention.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

A Hybrid Effectiveness-implementation Trial to Reduce Diabetes Distress in Teenagers

Who Can Participate

Age: 14Years - 18Years

All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus for at least 1 year
Using daily basal and bolus insulin
Fluent in English
Able to provide caregiver consent and teen assent
Able to access telehealth via a digital device
Focus on recruiting diverse teens including racial and ethnic minorities, low socioeconomic status, public aid recipients, or rural residents

You will not qualify if you...

Presence of cognitive or developmental disorders
Being a ward of the state

Research Team

Jill Weissberg-Benchell Professor, Ph.D.

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