Probing the Neurophysiological Mechanisms Underlying Sex-specific Testosterone-mood Relationships During Puberty: A Randomized Controlled Trial Using a Smartphone-based Training Program

Summary

Starting at puberty, female adolescents are nearly three-times more likely to develop internalizing disorders, like depression, while male adolescents are two-times more likely to develop externalizing disorders, like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This divergence between the sexes during puberty suggests sex-specific pathways of risk and differential effects of sex hormones. The purpose of this research is to determine: 1) sex-specific neural and endocrine features of the pubertal transition that may mediate sex differences in adolescent mood disorders, and 2) the neurophysiological basis of susceptibility to hormone change during puberty.

Eligibility

Age range

11–14 years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Interventions

• Behavioral
  Healthy Minds Program

  The Healthy Minds Program is a 4-week mobile program to improve coping and emotion regulation skills. It includes 4 training modules corresponding to key pillars of wellbeing: awareness(focused attention/awareness of thoughts/emotions), connection (empathy, compassion, social connection), insight (clarity of identify/experience) and purpose (applying values/motivations). The Healthy Minds Program includes 2 introductory audio lessons and guided meditations, and each 1-week module includes 2 podcast lessons (5-7 minutes) with psychoeducation and practical examples, and 3 guided meditations relevant to the module topic, for a total of 10 lessons and 14 guided meditations.

Location