Teen Behavior & Substance Research Study
Researchers at Rutgers University are conducting a study in adolescents who are involved in treatment for antisocial behavior or substance use. The goal is to identify possible traits in the brain, biology, or other risk factors that might predict treatment outcomes.
Fast Facts
In treatment for reducing antisocial behavior and/or substance use
12-17
Years Old
Compensation
provided up to $125
Conducted in
Piscataway & Newark, NJ
Study Background
Determining the neurobiological predictors of substance use treatment outcomes in justice-involved youth
This study is focused on teens who are in treatment for things like antisocial behaviors or substance use. The goal of this study is to identify how risk factors across your environment, brain response, and genetics, relate to changes during treatment, and how well treatment works for you.
Participation in this study involves filling out online surveys (both teen and caregiver), neuroimaging (MRI scan), and genetic data (saliva sample) when treatment begins, and then 4-6 months later when treatment has progressed. Find out if this study is a good fit for your teen by applying today!
Study Background
Determining the neurobiological predictors of substance use treatment outcomes in justice-involved youth
This study is focused on teens who are in treatment for things like antisocial behaviors or substance use. The goal of this study is to identify how risk factors across your environment, brain response, and genetics, relate to changes during treatment, and how well treatment works for you.
Participation in this study involves filling out online surveys (both teen and caregiver), neuroimaging (MRI scan), and genetic data (saliva sample) when treatment begins, and then 4-6 months later when treatment has progressed. Find out if this study is a good fit for your teen by applying today!
Additional Information
Current evidence-supported behavioral interventions for “problem behaviors”, such as aggression and substance use in adolescence, require lots of time and resources. They typically involve not only a therapist, but also caregivers, school personnel, and other community agents such as probation officers and youth program staff.
We hope that the insights we gain from this research will allow us to design more specific, targeted treatments based on biological data. This may allow us to better predict how certain factors create more risk, or even how well a certain treatment will work for somebody, and lead to better treatments in the future.
You and your teen may be eligible for this study if they meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 12-17 years old
- In treatment for reducing antisocial behavior and/or substance use
- Teen is fluent in English and parent/caregiver is fluent in English or Spanish
- No current diagnosis of schizophrenia, moderate/severe autism spectrum disorder, or intellectual disability
- Able to undergo an MRI scan (no permanent metal on/in body or severe claustrophobia)
Your teen will participate along with one parent or caregiver.
First, a member of the research team will contact interested caregivers to perform an eligibility screening and provide more information about our research.
If your family is eligible, the research team will invite your family to participate in up to 3 parts of the study.
Part 1: Questionnaires
- Complete pre-treatment online questionnaires
- Complete another online questionnaire 4 months later
Part 2: Genetics
- Teens and caregivers will be sent saliva self-collection kits that they will mail back to the research team
Part 3: Neuroimaging
- Initial on-site study session either at the Rutgers University Brain Imaging Center (RUBIC; RU-Newark campus) or the Center for Advanced Human Brain Imaging Research (CAHBIR; RU-Busch campus)
- Second study session 4 months later
- Informed consent/assent for Part 3 will take place at the beginning of on-site study visits in private testing rooms available at both locations
Note: If your family participates in both Part 2 and Part 3 of the study, then the saliva sample (Part 2) will be done on-site in person, rather than mailing the collection kit.
Participating families can be compensated up to $125 for completing all parts of the study. We can also reimburse travel (such as Uber, Lyft, or taxi) for on-site parts of the study.
There is no cost for your family to participate in our research study.