Prevention of Adolescent Risky Behaviors: Neural Markers of Intervention Effects
2017-3439
Psychiatry
Uma Rao, MD
UCI Campus, affiliated community programs serving African-American families
Adolescents face many challenges as they begin to gain autonomy from parents and prepare for adult roles in society. Our team has developed a family intervention that specifically helps African-American youth to develop life skills focusing on future orientation and in overcoming "road blocks" in the service of positive goals. This is a six-week, parent and child program shown to deter risky behaviors and achieve long-term positive outcomes. Using MRI scans (no radiation involved), we are trying to identify brain circuits involved in such positive outcomes.
- 11- to 14-year-old youth
- African-American heritage
- Youth and parent or legal guardian agree to participate in six-week intervention program
- Eligible to participate in MRI scans
Participant will be required to:
- Complete questionnaires
- Complete MRI scans
- Complete a six-week life skills program
- Provide a saliva and urine sample
Participation will involve 10 visits over 18 weeks.
$655 plus travel reimbursement
Julia Fong, Study Coordinator; Uma Rao, Principal Investigator
949-824-3770; 949-824-8040