Homeless Youth Study - Stepping Stone Project

Using Smartphone Technology to Provide Mental Health Interventions for Homeless Youth

Homelessness is associated with a multitude of negative consequences including an increased risk for mental health problems. Once homeless, these individuals face significant barriers to mental health care and are therefore less likely to receive the treatment they need. Mobile technology may offer a novel platform for increasing access to mental health care in this population. Thus, the primary goals of this pilot study are to (1) establish the feasibility and acceptability of delivering a brief cognitive-behavioral intervention to homeless youth via smartphone technology, (2) examine the extent to which brief cognitive-behavioral interventions delivered via mobile technology improve mental health and trauma-related psychological symptoms in homeless youth, and (3) establish smartphone usage patterns among homeless youth to inform future interventions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• English-speaking
• Homeless as defined by lacking "a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence," (Department of Education) including youth who temporarily share the housing of others due to financial hardship
• Currently sleeping in a Chicago-based shelter (at least 50% of nights in the past week)
• Willingness and ability to comply with requirements of the study protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

• Involvement in risky behaviors that could interfere with the ability to fully engage in the study, as determined by the Principal Investigator
• Current involvement in legal proceedings
• Mental retardation or significant cognitive impairment
• Significant suicidal ideation indicated by a BDI-II item 9 score ≥ 2 or enacted suicidal behaviors within 6 months prior to eligibility
• Any concurrent psychotherapy of any duration
• Inability to understand study procedures and participate in the informed consent process