# Predicting and Preventing Suicidal Ideation among High-Risk Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents

> **NIH NIH K01** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $173,372

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents are at increased risk for suicide. Approximately 1 in 3 SGM
adolescents report having attempted suicide compared to 1 in 10 non-SGM adolescents. SGM adolescents are
thought to be vulnerable to suicide because they must negotiate typical stressors of adolescence alongside
coming to terms with an SGM identity, which can involve managing exposure to stigma-related stressors
including external stressors (e.g., bullying) and navigating taxing internal psychological stressors (e.g., identity
concealment). The overarching goal of this proposed K01, entitled Project SPIRiT (Suicide Prediction In Real-
Time), is to examine the influence of stigma-related stressors (e.g., bullying, identity concealment) and
universal suicide precursors (e.g., hopelessness) on suicidal ideation among SGM adolescents recently
hospitalized for acute suicidality. I will utilize state-of-the-art real-time mobile monitoring methods incorporating
both ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and global positioning system (GPS) data to pursue the
project’s three aims: (Aim 1) develop an EMA+GPS assessment approach capable of capturing both self-
reported and place-based exposure to stigma through focus groups with SGM adolescent recent inpatients;
(Aim 2) examine precursors to suicidal ideation among SGM adolescent recent inpatients through a 28-day
EMA+GPS study; and (Aim 3) develop and refine components of a just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI)
targeting SGM adolescent suicide risk, informed by qualitative data from focus groups with Aim 2 participants
and in-depth interviews with clinicians and JITAI experts. Evidence from Project SPIRiT will lay the groundwork
for an NIMH R01 to further test an empirically informed suicide prevention JITAI for high-risk SGM
adolescents. To successfully conduct the proposed research project, I will: (1) obtain training in innovative
approaches to micro-longitudinal research methodology, including EMA+GPS technology; (2) develop
expertise in conducting responsible research with clinical populations and addressing safety concerns; and (3)
acquire skills in developing an empirically informed JITAI to reduce suicide risk. By engaging in mentored
research with Dr. John Pachankis (primary mentor) and an expert team of co-mentors and collaborators at
Yale University and beyond, and participating in coursework, seminars, workshops, scientific conferences, and
regular mentorship meetings, I will develop the skills necessary to successfully carry out the proposed
research activities and meet my long-term career goal of becoming an independent scientist. Yale University
offers rich intellectual and practical resources, an interdisciplinary research and training environment, and
professional development and collaborative opportunities to support early-career investigators in launching
their independent research careers. The proposed K01 will provide me with the training, mentorship, and
protec...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10487533
- **Project number:** 5K01MH125073-02
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Kirsty A Clark
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $173,372
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-10 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10487533

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10487533, Predicting and Preventing Suicidal Ideation among High-Risk Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents (5K01MH125073-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10487533. Licensed CC0.

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