Actively Recruiting
Social Support and Reduced Fear Acquisition
Led by University of California, Los Angeles · Updated on 2026-03-18
100
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
229 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of California, Los Angeles
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
University of California, Los Angeles researchers will recruit healthy participants and anxious participants (those diagnosed with social anxiety disorder) age 18-55 years old to participate in a study examining whether the ability of social support figure reminders to prevent the acquisition of fear in healthy participants extends to those with anxiety disorders. After being recruited from the UCLA community (healthy participants, n = 50) or referred by treatment providers at the Anxiety and Depression Research Center at UCLA (anxious participants, n =50) and undergoing a telephone screening and in-person screening, 100 participants will be enrolled in the study. During the experiment, all participants will undergo the same procedures: undergoing fear acquisition procedures--the repeated pairing of a neutral image with a mild electric shock that ultimately leads to the association of threat of shock with the image--in the presence of an image of a social support figure (provided by participants) and an image of a smiling stranger.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Social Support and Reduced Fear Acquisition
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adults aged 18 to 35 years
- Fluent in English
- No history of mental illness for healthy participants
- Diagnosis of social anxiety disorder for anxious participants, including allowed co-morbid disorders such as depression, other anxiety disorders, and PTSD
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study period
- Chronic mental illness for healthy participants as determined by past diagnosis or related medication use
- Non-allowed co-morbid disorders for anxious participants, including bipolar disorder, psychosis, substance use disorder, neurological disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Current and regular use of prescription medications related to mental health disorders
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UCLA Department of Psychology
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095-1563
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
E
Erica Hornstein, PhD
CONTACT
N
Naomi Eisenberger, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
1
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here