GRIT Intervention for Adverse Childhood Experiences

Overseen By Jenny Fotang

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Irvine

Disqualifiers: Recent alcohol or cannabis use, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

210 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a new coaching program called GRIT (Garnering Resilience in Traumatized youth and families), designed to help young people who have faced tough experiences avoid starting regular alcohol and cannabis use. It compares GRIT to a Digital Citizenship Curriculum to determine which is more effective in improving self-control and reducing health risks. Adolescents aged 11-14 who have experienced significant adversity and do not currently use alcohol or cannabis are ideal candidates for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative approaches that could shape future support programs for youth.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on preventing alcohol and cannabis use among adolescents.

What prior data suggests that the GRIT intervention is safe for adolescents?

Research has shown that the GRIT program is based on cognitive and behavioral methods used in educational settings. This type of program is typically easy for participants, as it doesn't involve drugs or medical procedures. Instead, it uses coaching to help young people become more resilient when facing challenges.

While specific studies on the negative effects of the GRIT program are lacking, similar educational programs have demonstrated safety. Participants often find these sessions helpful and feel more supported. Since this trial doesn't involve any new medication, the risk of major side effects remains low. The focus is on personal growth and skill-building, which are generally safe practices. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the GRIT Intervention for adverse childhood experiences because it offers a fresh approach to building resilience in traumatized youth and families. Unlike traditional therapy, which often focuses on managing symptoms, GRIT aims to address the root causes of trauma by fostering emotional strength and coping skills. Additionally, the study includes a unique component on digital citizenship, helping participants navigate and manage their online interactions, which is crucial in today's digital age. This dual focus not only targets the psychological impact of trauma but also prepares participants to handle modern social challenges effectively.

What evidence suggests that the GRIT intervention is effective for preventing early alcohol and cannabis use?

Research has shown that difficult childhood experiences can lead to issues like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. In this trial, participants will join one of two treatment arms. The GRIT program, one of the interventions tested, incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy principles to help young people build resilience after such challenges. Studies have found that focusing on resilience can lower the risk of substance use by improving emotional management in young people. GRIT employs community health workers to offer personalized support, a strategy that has succeeded in similar programs. Early results indicate that structured resilience-building programs can enhance emotional health and reduce the risk of early substance use in teenagers. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Dawn T. Bounds, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of California, Irvine

Norweeta G. Milburn, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of California, Los Angeles

Karnik Niranjan, M.D., Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of California, Los Angeles

Shin Sanghyuk, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of California, Irvine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

The THRIVE Study is for adolescents aged 11-14 who have faced adverse childhood experiences and do not regularly use alcohol or cannabis. They must be able to attend three in-person visits, participate in Zoom sessions, and complete online measures over a year.

Inclusion Criteria

Has access to a smartphone and is willing to download applicable apps (95% of all adolescents have access to a smartphone)

I can speak and read English.

I am aged 11-14 and have a high-risk score for childhood stress.

Exclusion Criteria

I have used alcohol or cannabis in the last 14 days.

Youth in acute distress who are in immediate need of care (e.g., imminent risk of harm to self or others, active psychosis)

Youth who report their caregivers' home environment is unsafe to return to, have been deemed unsafe, or require supervised visits by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive either the GRIT intervention or the Digital Citizenship Curriculum over 8 weeks

8 weeks

6 sessions (virtual)

Post-Intervention Assessment

Participants complete in-person and online assessments immediately after the intervention

1 week

1 visit (in-person), online measures

Booster Session

Participants are invited to complete a booster session at 6 months post-intervention

1 session

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness at 6 and 12 months post-intervention

12 months

2 visits (in-person), online measures

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Digital Citizenship Curriculum (DCC)
• Garnering Resilience in Traumatized youth and families (GRIT)

Trial Overview This study tests if the GRIT program helps prevent early regular use of alcohol and cannabis better than a Digital Citizenship Curriculum. It involves coaching by community health workers, heart rate variability assessments, surveys, and follow-up booster sessions.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: GRIT Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Digital Citizenship Curriculumn Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Irvine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

580

Recruited

4,943,000+

University of California, Los Angeles

Collaborator

Trials

1,594

Recruited

10,430,000+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

University of Illinois at Chicago

Collaborator

Trials

653

Recruited

1,574,000+

Citations

1. sites.uci.edu sites.uci.edu/cyferlab/grit/

GRIT – CYFER Lab - UCI Sites Garnering Resilience in Traumatized youth and families (GRIT) is a community health worker (CHW)-delivered psychoeducation, based upon principles from Cognitive ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6732880/

Building Resilience Against the Sequelae of Adverse ... Being mindful of the impact and prevalence of ACEs and diversity of individuals' experiences in society will help build resilience and combat the root cause of ...

3. cdn2.psychologytoday.com cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/acesarticle.pdf

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Outcomes, and ... The data found ACEs to be associated with the following negative outcomes: traumatic injuries, depression, anxiety, suicide, PTSD, unintended pregnancy, ...

4. bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-020-08789-0

Interventions to support people exposed to adverse childhood ... We searched 18 database sources from 2007 to 2018 for systematic reviews of effectiveness data on people who experienced ACEs aged 3–18, on any ...

5. wacita.org wacita.org/near-sciences-the-impact-of-adversity-and-the-power-of-hope/

Trauma, Resilience & Hope - Family and Youth Justice ... However, creating and sustaining safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for all children and families can prevent ACEs and help all children ...

6. cdc.gov cdc.gov/aces/about/index.html

About Adverse Childhood Experiences This page defines adverse childhood experiences, presents the latest data, and describes outcomes.

7. avahealth.org avahealth.org/file_download/f5ac93a0-dc09-4fe9-a27f-98bf7e9754b2

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Informing Best Practices Scientific evidence indicates that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are important contributors to health problems across the lifespan.

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950193824000603

Advancing the science of adverse childhood experiences ... One of the key insights of ACEs research, the dose-response relationship between trauma burden and outcomes, has been extended to research on resilience.