DEAR Study (Daily Emotions and Relationships)

STUDY BASICS

Have you had recent suicidal thoughts or behaviors and are you currently receiving treatment for a mood or behavioral disorder? Are you aged 18-35? If so, you may be eligible for a research study to help better understand how daily emotions and experiences affect mood symptoms and suicide risk over time. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States among young adults. Although there are often warning signs that someone is thinking about suicide, it is difficult to predict who will go on to attempt or complete suicide. The purpose of this study is to help researchers better understand how daily emotions and experiences affect mood symptoms and suicide risk over time. Researchers hope their findings will lead to better ways to identify and treat people at risk for suicide in the future.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 18-35
• Currently receiving treatment for a mood or behavioral issue (treatment can include medications, therapy, or counseling)
• Able to speak and read in English
• Able and willing to complete smartphone-based assessments
• No current or past history of major illnesses such as stroke, heart disease, dementia, endocrine disorders (diabetes, thyroid issues), Parkinson’s disease, seizure disorders, other neurological (brain) disorders, or head injury
• No history of autism spectrum disorder
• No history of a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

This study involves 4-6 visits over 12 months. During the first 1-2 visits, participants will be asked to answer questions about emotional health, drug and alcohol use, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. After the first initial sessions, participants will be asked to complete surveys via smartphone seven times each day for three weeks. If you do not own a smartphone, the study team can loan you one to use during the study. Additional visits will take place 4, 8, and 12 months after your first appointment. Participants will be asked to complete the same interviews, questionnaires, and computer tasks that were done during the initial 1-2 sessions.