Actively Recruiting
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Preventive Behavioral Intervention for Young Adults With Psychotic Experiences
Led by Massachusetts General Hospital · Updated on 2026-05-11
192
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
26 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the effects of Resilience Training in college students aged 18 to 30 who have elevated risk factors for serious mental illnesses and experience psychotic symptoms. This study compares Resilience Training to another group program called Life Skills Training to see which better reduces symptoms and improves long-term mental health and academic success. The research also explores how the training impacts emotional responses and brain function related to psychosis. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two four-week programs with weekly 90-minute group sessions. The Resilience Training group learns skills in mindfulness, self-compassion, and understanding thoughts and feelings. The Life Skills Training group receives information on practical topics like financial literacy, health, and safety. Both programs are designed to be active and time-matched to compare their effects. During the study, participants will complete a variety of assessments at baseline, 4 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months. These include questionnaires measuring symptoms, mood, anxiety, suicidality, social functioning, and resilience, as well as brain imaging at selected time points. Researchers will also track academic performance and healthcare use. The study includes ongoing monitoring to evaluate changes in symptoms and overall functioning over two years.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
A Preventive Behavioral Intervention for Young Adults With Psychotic Experiences
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- 18 to 30 years old
- Enrolled as a first or second year undergraduate student at the college or university where the intervention takes place
- Endorse some psychotic experiences with a Peters Delusions Inventory score greater than 3
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to provide informed consent
- Not proficient in English
- Have current active symptoms of a psychiatric diagnosis requiring close monitoring or treatment, including active psychotic symptoms, suicidality, serious substance use, or recent marked deterioration in functioning
- Currently enrolled in psychological or behavioral health treatment
- Currently using psychotropic medications, except stimulants
- Diagnosed with a serious, chronic mental illness as determined by a clinical interview
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 4 weeks
Participants attend a 4-week program of weekly 90-minute group sessions. They receive either Resilience Training, which teaches mindfulness, self-compassion, and mentalization skills, or Life Skills Training, which provides information on financial literacy, health, physical and internet safety.
Weekly visits for 4 weeks
Duration - Up to 24 months
Participants are monitored over an extended period to assess psychiatric symptoms and functional outcomes, including academic performance and retention. Various assessments are conducted at multiple time points up to 24 months after treatment.
Visits at 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months post-treatment
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Massachusetts General Hospital
Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States, 02129
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
D
Daphne J Holt, MD, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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