Adversity in childhood is linked to mental and physical health throughout life.
Charles A Nelson, Richard David Scott, Zulfiqar A Bhutta...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33115717Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 11Years - 14Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID06821035
Teaching Youth & Families Self-Regulation Skills to Disrupt the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences: Preventing Substance Use in Adversity-Impacted Youth
Led by University of California, Irvine · Updated on 2026-03-18
210
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of California, Irvine
Lead Sponsor
U
University of California, Los Angeles
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to evaluate the impact of a community health worker-led coaching program called GRIT on preventing early regular use of alcohol and cannabis among adolescents aged 11 to 14 who have experienced significant adversity and do not regularly use these substances at the start. The study focuses on youth impacted by high exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which can lead to difficulties in managing emotions and behaviors, increasing the risk of early substance use and related health issues. Researchers will compare GRIT with an active control program focused on digital citizenship to assess effects on self-regulation and cardiometabolic risks. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the GRIT intervention or the Digital Citizenship Curriculum. The GRIT program involves six weekly 60-minute sessions delivered via Zoom by community health workers, teaching coping and self-regulation skills using heart rate variability biofeedback and promoting healthy habits. The Digital Citizenship Curriculum also consists of six weekly sessions focused on navigating digital life. Participants attend three in-person visits at the start, immediately after the intervention, and 12 months later, with an optional booster session six months post-intervention. Throughout the study, participants complete heart rate variability assessments, surveys, and online questionnaires at multiple time points including baseline, post-intervention, six months, and 12 months post-intervention. Researchers will measure substance use, emotional regulation, sleep quality, nutrition, physical activity, family functioning, psychological flexibility, and stress levels. The study includes ongoing monitoring of participant progress and effects over a full year after the intervention to understand its impact on preventing substance use and improving health.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
The THRIVE Study: Teaching Healthy Regulation in Individuals & Vulnerable Environments
Who Can Participate
Age: 11Years - 14Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Youth aged 11 to 14 years
- Scored in the high-risk category with 4 or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
- Able to speak and read in English
- Has access to a smartphone and willing to download study apps
- Has a parent or guardian aged 18 or older who speaks English or Spanish and is willing to participate
You will not qualify if you...
- Youth unable to speak or read in English
- Youth who used alcohol or cannabis within the last 14 days
- Currently enrolled in another family-based intervention such as family therapy
- Youth in immediate distress needing urgent care (e.g., risk of harm to self or others, active psychosis)
- Youth whose home environment is unsafe or requires supervised caregiver visits
- Youth whose caregiver declines to participate
- Youth who initially report recent cannabis use but do not use within the last two weeks and have a negative urine drug screen
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Outpatient Treatment
Duration - 6 weeks
Participants receive 6 weekly sessions of either the GRIT intervention, which includes supportive health coaching and self-regulation techniques, or the Digital Citizenship Curriculum focusing on navigating the digital world.
Weekly visits for 6 weeks (in-person or virtual)
Follow-up
Duration - 12 months
Participants are followed for up to 12 months after the intervention to assess substance use initiation, emotional regulation, and other health outcomes.
3 visits at immediately after intervention, 6 months, and 12 months post-intervention
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
The Regents of the University of California, Irvine
Irvine, California, United States, 92697-7600
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
D
Dawn T. Bounds, Ph.D.
J
Jenny Fotang
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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Published Research Related To This Trial
The frequencies and disparities of adverse childhood experiences in the U.S.
Zachary Giano, Denna L Wheeler, Randolph D Hubach
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32907569The enduring effects of abuse and related adverse experiences in childhood. A convergence of evidence from neurobiology and epidemiology.
Robert F Anda, Vincent J Felitti, J Douglas Bremner...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16311898Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study.
V J Felitti, R F Anda, D Nordenberg...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9635069Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences From the 2011-2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 23 States.
Melissa T Merrick, Derek C Ford, Katie A Ports...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30242348Coherence: a novel nonpharmacological modality for lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
Abdullah A Alabdulgader
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24278819The self-medication hypothesis of substance use disorders: a reconsideration and recent applications.
E J Khantzian
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9385000Coherence training in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: cognitive functions and behavioral changes.
Anthony Lloyd, David Brett, Keith Wesnes
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20653294Childhood and Adolescent Adversity and Cardiometabolic Outcomes: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.
Shakira F Suglia, Karestan C Koenen, Renée Boynton-Jarrett...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29254928Cannabis use among U.S. adolescents in the era of marijuana legalization: a review of changing use patterns, comorbidity, and health correlates.
Christopher J Hammond, Aldorian Chaney, Brian Hendrickson...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32026735