iKinnect2.0 for Juvenile Justice Involved Youth at Risk for Suicide

Launched by EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE INSTITUTE, SEATTLE, WA · May 26, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The iKinnect2.0 clinical trial is studying a new app designed to help young people, aged 15 to 21, who are involved in the juvenile justice system and at risk for suicide. Over 16 weeks, the trial will compare the iKinnect2.0 app's features, which aim to prevent suicide and improve behavior, against a control app called Life360, which helps parents know their child's whereabouts. Around 120 youth and their primary caregivers will participate and will be assessed at the beginning and then at 4, 8, and 16 weeks to see how well the apps work in reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

To be eligible for this study, youth must be between 15 and 21 years old, have a history of arrest, and be receiving support for probation or re-entry. They also need to be at risk for suicide, which means they may have attempted suicide before or have had recent thoughts about it. Caregivers must be 18 years or older, fluent in English, and the primary user of a smartphone. Participants can expect to engage with the apps as part of the trial and will receive support in discussing important topics related to mental health and safety. This study aims to find effective ways to support youth in crisis and improve family communication.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• PARENT/GUARDIAN INCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • 18 years or older
• • Fluent in English
• • Owns an Android or iPhone-based smartphone with a data plan and is the primary user of the phone
• • Primary caregiver and supervisor of a youth aged 15-21 on probation or receiving post-incarceration reentry services at time of screening
• YOUTH INCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • Age 15-21 years
• • Fluent in English
• • Possesses and is the primary user of an Android or iPhone-based smartphone with a data plan
• • Currently resides in same household as linked parent/legal guardian at least 5 days per week
• • Has been arrested at least once and is receiving community-based JJ services related to probation or re-entry
• • At significant risk for suicide, as evidenced by one of the following: one or more lifetime suicide attempts; elevated past-month suicidal ideation (\>24 on the SIQ-JR99, or self-injury repetition (\>3 lifetime self-harm episodes, including one in the past 12 weeks before screening)
• • Willing to disclose NSSI and suicidal behaviors to parent
• • To ensure consistency of planned and actual enrollment, particularly of Black youth, researchers will begin to exclude youth of certain races once pre-established recruitment milestones for a specific racial group is achieved.