ViolenceNCT05887973
Addressing Root Causes for Gun Violence Prevention (ARC-GVP)
An observational study of Violence and Adolescent, run by University of Michigan at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of this study is to help build the evidence base for a locally-relevant youth firearm violence prevention program in Washington D.C., a city experiencing disparities in youth firearm violence outcomes. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 14 to 24 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Violence, Adolescent, Firearm Injury
- What is being tested?
- The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- How many people
- 250 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 27 Jun 2022to 29 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 14 to 24 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Study population: Youth in Washington D.C. who are participating in The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project, a grassroots youth firearm violence prevention program
Who may be able to join
- Youth in Washington D.C. who are participating in The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project, a grassroots youth firearm violence prevention program
Who cannot join
- Emancipated minors
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48103
About this study
Official title: Addressing Root Causes for Gun Violence Prevention (ARC-GVP) Outcomes Study
The goal of this study is to help build the evidence base for a locally-relevant youth firearm violence prevention program in Washington D.C., a city experiencing disparities in youth firearm violence outcomes.
The main question it aims to answer is:
How is youth participation in the summer youth employment program, the True Reasons I Grabbed the Gun Evolved from Risk (The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project), which is designed to address root causes of gun violence, associated with individual youth behavioral outcomes, including pro-social involvement, aggression, and firearm-related attitudes and behaviors?
Read the detailed description
The goal of this study is to help build the evidence base for a locally-relevant youth firearm violence prevention program in a city experiencing disparities in youth firearm violence outcomes. The main question it aims to answer is:
How is youth participation in a summer youth employment program that is designed to address root causes of gun violence (The T.R.I.G.G.E.R project), associated with individual youth behavioral outcomes, including pro-social involvement, retaliatory attitudes, aggression, and firearm behaviors?
To examine this question, participants will be invited to complete four surveys over the course of one year to assess attitudinal and behavioral change:
- A pre-test at the start of the program
- A first post-test 2-4 weeks following the conclusion of the program
- A second post-test 6 months following the conclusion of the program
- A third and final post-test 12 months following the conclusion of the program
- Conditions
- Violence, Adolescent, Firearm Injury, Aggression
- Being tested
- The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project
- Keywords
- Youth Violence Prevention, Gun Violence Prevention, Positive Youth Development
- Medical subject headings
- Aggression
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
The T.R.I.G.G.E.R ProjectBehavioural
The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project includes the following core components to address root causes of gun violence:
- Summer Employment
- Social and Emotional Learning
- Future Orientation
- Adult and Peer Support
- Critical Consciousness
- Civic Efficacy and Engagement
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Wave 1 | Youth participants who are enrolled in The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project's summer youth employment program in 2022 Receives: Behavioral: The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project | |
| Wave 2 | Youth participants who are enrolled in The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project's summer youth employment program in 2023 Receives: Behavioral: The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project | |
| Wave 3 | Youth participants who are enrolled in The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project's summer youth employment program in 2024 Receives: Behavioral: The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project | |
| Wave 4 | Youth participants who are enrolled in The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project's summer youth employment program in 2025 Receives: Behavioral: The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Civic Efficacy
The investigators will assess change in civic efficacy (i.e., youth participants' sense of belief that they can create positive change in their communities) over time using the 3-item Civic Efficacy scale; the unit(s) of measurement are the Mean and Standard Deviation of scale scores; Minimum Value: 1 Maximum Value: 5, higher scores indicate a better outcome
Measured: Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over 1 year: at the start of the summer programs, 2-4 weeks post, 6-months post, and 1-year post participation
Change in Pro-Social Involvement
The investigators will assess change in pro-social involvement (i.e., youth participants' involvement in pro-social community organizations and activities) over time using an 8-item adapted Participation in Groups and Voluntary Organizations scale; the units of measurement are the Mean and Standard Deviation of scale scores; Minimum Value: 0 Maximum Value: 8; higher scores indicate a better outcome
Measured: Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over 1 year: at the start of the summer programs, 2-4 weeks post, 6-months post, and 1-year post participation
Change in Attitudes towards Violence and Retaliation
The investigators will assess change in youth participants' attitudes toward violence and retaliation over time using a 3-item Retaliatory Attitudes scale; the units of measurement are the Mean and Standard Deviation of scale scores; Minimum Value: 1 Maximum Value: 5; lower scores indicate a better outcome
Measured: Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over 1 year: at the start of the summer programs, 2-4 weeks post, 6-months post, and 1-year post participation
Change in Aggressive Behavior
The investigators will assess change in non-firearm related aggressive behavior (i.e., fighting, non-firearm weapon carriage) over time using a 3-item Aggressive Behaviors scale; the unit(s) of measurement are the Mean and Standard Deviation of scale scores; Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15, lower scores indicate a better outcome
Measured: Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over 1 year: at the start of the summer programs, 2-4 weeks post, 6-months post, and 1-year post participation
Change in Firearm Carriage Frequency
The investigators will assess change in the frequency of firearm carriage (for any reason besides hunting, target shooting, competitive shooting, or recreation) over time using 1-item; the unit(s) of measurement are the Mean and Standard Deviation of scale scores; Minimum: 1 Maximum: 7, lower scores indicate a better outcome
Measured: Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over 1 year: at the start of the summer programs, 2-4 weeks post, 6-months post, and 1-year post participation
Change in Firearm Use
The investigators will assess change in youth participants' firearm use (i.e., handling a gun, firing a gun, holding a gun in a selfie) over time, using a three-item Firearm Use scale; the unit(s) of measurement are the Means and Standard Deviations of scale scores, Minimum: 0 Maximum: 18, lower scores indicate a better outcome
Measured: Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over 1 year: at the start of the summer programs, 2-4 weeks post, 6-months post, and 1-year post participation
Change in Firearm Aggression
The investigators will assess change in youth participants' firearm aggression (i.e., threatening someone with a gun, firing at or around someone), using a two-item scale adapted from the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale; the unit(s) of measurement are the Means and Standard Deviations of scale scores, Minimum: 0 Maximum: 10, lower scores indicate a better outcome
Measured: Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over 1 year: at the start of the summer programs, 2-4 weeks post, 6-months post, and 1-year post participation
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Jun 2023
- Study start27 Jun 2022
- Primary completion29 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion29 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for ViolenceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of MichiganThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 250 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Michigan
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Marc A. Zimmerman, University of Michigan
- Investigators
- Marc Zimmerman, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Michigan
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05887973
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HUM00215637
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Mar 2023
- Last updated
- 31 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: The investigators will archive the data collected for this study in the Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention (IFIP) Data Repository so that the data will be connected to a national data resource on firearm injury prevention research. The IFIP repository is housed online at the Inter-University Consortium for Social and Political Research (ICPSR) (https://www.openicpsr.org/openicpsr/facts-open). All data uploaded to the repository will be de-identified, such that all sensitive, identifiable, or potentially identifiable information will be removed from the dataset. At a minimum, each data deposit in the archive will include the data set(s), codebook, data collection instrument, and a summary of the project.
Publications
Crocetti E, Jahromi P, Meeus W. Identity and civic engagement in adolescence. J Adolesc. 2012 Jun;35(3):521-32. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.08.003. Epub 2011 Aug 24.
PubMed 21868083Copeland-Linder N, Jones VC, Haynie DL, Simons-Morton BG, Wright JL, Cheng TL. Factors associated with retaliatory attitudes among African American adolescents who have been assaulted. J Pediatr Psychol. 2007 Aug;32(7):760-70. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsm007. Epub 2007 Apr 2.
PubMed 17403911Black, S., & Hausman, A. (2008). Adolescents' views of guns in a high-violence community. Journal of Adolescent Research, 23(5), 592-610. http://doi.org/10.1177/0743558408322142
Multisite Violence Prevention Project. The multisite violence prevention project: background and overview. Am J Prev Med. 2004 Jan;26(1 Suppl):3-11. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2003.09.017.
PubMed 14732182Straus, M., Hamby, S., Boney-McCoy, S., Sugarman, D. (1996). The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2): Development and preliminary psychometric data. Journal of Family Issues, 17(3), 283-316.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Addressing Root Causes for Gun Violence Prevention (ARC-GVP) Outcomes Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05887973
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HUM00215637
- Conditions
- Violence, Adolescent, Firearm Injury, Aggression
- Keywords
- Youth Violence Prevention, Gun Violence Prevention, Positive Youth Development
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 250 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of MichiganUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Study start
- 27 Jun 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 29 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 29 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 5 Jun 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this study is to help build the evidence base for a locally-relevant youth firearm violence prevention program in Washington D.C., a city experiencing disparities in youth firearm violence outcomes.
The main question it aims to answer is:
How is youth participation in the summer youth employment program, the True Reasons I Grabbed the Gun Evolved from Risk (The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project), which is designed to address root causes of gun violence, associated with individual youth behavioral outcomes, including pro-social involvement, aggression, and firearm-related attitudes and behaviors?
Detailed description
The goal of this study is to help build the evidence base for a locally-relevant youth firearm violence prevention program in a city experiencing disparities in youth firearm violence outcomes. The main question it aims to answer is:
How is youth participation in a summer youth employment program that is designed to address root causes of gun violence (The T.R.I.G.G.E.R project), associated with individual youth behavioral outcomes, including pro-social involvement, retaliatory attitudes, aggression, and firearm behaviors?
To examine this question, participants will be invited to complete four surveys over the course of one year to assess attitudinal and behavioral change:
- A pre-test at the start of the program
- A first post-test 2-4 weeks following the conclusion of the program
- A second post-test 6 months following the conclusion of the program
- A third and final post-test 12 months following the conclusion of the program
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Wave 1 | – | Behavioral: The T.R.I.G.G.E.R ProjectYouth participants who are enrolled in The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project's summer youth employment program in 2022 |
| Wave 2 | – | Behavioral: The T.R.I.G.G.E.R ProjectYouth participants who are enrolled in The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project's summer youth employment program in 2023 |
| Wave 3 | – | Behavioral: The T.R.I.G.G.E.R ProjectYouth participants who are enrolled in The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project's summer youth employment program in 2024 |
| Wave 4 | – | Behavioral: The T.R.I.G.G.E.R ProjectYouth participants who are enrolled in The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project's summer youth employment program in 2025 |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 14 to 24 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
- Study population
- Youth in Washington D.C. who are participating in The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project, a grassroots youth firearm violence prevention program
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Youth in Washington D.C. who are participating in The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project, a grassroots youth firearm violence prevention program
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Emancipated minors
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| The T.R.I.G.G.E.R ProjectThe T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project includes the following core components to address root causes of gun violence: * Summer Employment * Social and Emotional Learning * Future Orientation * Adult and Peer Support * Critical Consciousness * Civic Efficacy and Engagement | Behavioural | Wave 1, Wave 2, Wave 3, Wave 4 |
Primary outcome
Change in Civic Efficacy
Time frame: Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over 1 year: at the start of the summer programs, 2-4 weeks post, 6-months post, and 1-year post participation
The investigators will assess change in civic efficacy (i.e., youth participants' sense of belief that they can create positive change in their communities) over time using the 3-item Civic Efficacy scale; the unit(s) of measurement are the Mean and Standard Deviation of scale scores; Minimum Value: 1 Maximum Value: 5, higher scores indicate a better outcome
Change in Pro-Social Involvement
Time frame: Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over 1 year: at the start of the summer programs, 2-4 weeks post, 6-months post, and 1-year post participation
The investigators will assess change in pro-social involvement (i.e., youth participants' involvement in pro-social community organizations and activities) over time using an 8-item adapted Participation in Groups and Voluntary Organizations scale; the units of measurement are the Mean and Standard Deviation of scale scores; Minimum Value: 0 Maximum Value: 8; higher scores indicate a better outcome
Change in Attitudes towards Violence and Retaliation
Time frame: Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over 1 year: at the start of the summer programs, 2-4 weeks post, 6-months post, and 1-year post participation
The investigators will assess change in youth participants' attitudes toward violence and retaliation over time using a 3-item Retaliatory Attitudes scale; the units of measurement are the Mean and Standard Deviation of scale scores; Minimum Value: 1 Maximum Value: 5; lower scores indicate a better outcome
Change in Aggressive Behavior
Time frame: Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over 1 year: at the start of the summer programs, 2-4 weeks post, 6-months post, and 1-year post participation
The investigators will assess change in non-firearm related aggressive behavior (i.e., fighting, non-firearm weapon carriage) over time using a 3-item Aggressive Behaviors scale; the unit(s) of measurement are the Mean and Standard Deviation of scale scores; Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15, lower scores indicate a better outcome
Change in Firearm Carriage Frequency
Time frame: Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over 1 year: at the start of the summer programs, 2-4 weeks post, 6-months post, and 1-year post participation
The investigators will assess change in the frequency of firearm carriage (for any reason besides hunting, target shooting, competitive shooting, or recreation) over time using 1-item; the unit(s) of measurement are the Mean and Standard Deviation of scale scores; Minimum: 1 Maximum: 7, lower scores indicate a better outcome
Change in Firearm Use
Time frame: Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over 1 year: at the start of the summer programs, 2-4 weeks post, 6-months post, and 1-year post participation
The investigators will assess change in youth participants' firearm use (i.e., handling a gun, firing a gun, holding a gun in a selfie) over time, using a three-item Firearm Use scale; the unit(s) of measurement are the Means and Standard Deviations of scale scores, Minimum: 0 Maximum: 18, lower scores indicate a better outcome
Change in Firearm Aggression
Time frame: Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over 1 year: at the start of the summer programs, 2-4 weeks post, 6-months post, and 1-year post participation
The investigators will assess change in youth participants' firearm aggression (i.e., threatening someone with a gun, firing at or around someone), using a two-item scale adapted from the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale; the unit(s) of measurement are the Means and Standard Deviations of scale scores, Minimum: 0 Maximum: 10, lower scores indicate a better outcome
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 31 Aug 2026.
- Background: PubMed 21868083Crocetti E, Jahromi P, Meeus W. Identity and civic engagement in adolescence. J Adolesc. 2012 Jun;35(3):521-32. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.08.003. Epub 2011 Aug 24.
- Background: PubMed 17403911Copeland-Linder N, Jones VC, Haynie DL, Simons-Morton BG, Wright JL, Cheng TL. Factors associated with retaliatory attitudes among African American adolescents who have been assaulted. J Pediatr Psychol. 2007 Aug;32(7):760-70. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsm007. Epub 2007 Apr 2.
- BackgroundBlack, S., & Hausman, A. (2008). Adolescents' views of guns in a high-violence community. Journal of Adolescent Research, 23(5), 592-610. http://doi.org/10.1177/0743558408322142
- Background: PubMed 14732182Multisite Violence Prevention Project. The multisite violence prevention project: background and overview. Am J Prev Med. 2004 Jan;26(1 Suppl):3-11. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2003.09.017.
- BackgroundStraus, M., Hamby, S., Boney-McCoy, S., Sugarman, D. (1996). The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2): Development and preliminary psychometric data. Journal of Family Issues, 17(3), 283-316.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. The investigators will archive the data collected for this study in the Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention (IFIP) Data Repository so that the data will be connected to a national data resource on firearm injury prevention research. The IFIP repository is housed online at the Inter-University Consortium for Social and Political Research (ICPSR) (https://www.openicpsr.org/openicpsr/facts-open). All data uploaded to the repository will be de-identified, such that all sensitive, identifiable, or potentially identifiable information will be removed from the dataset. At a minimum, each data deposit in the archive will include the data set(s), codebook, data collection instrument, and a summary of the project.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Marc Zimmerman, PhD principal investigator
University of Michigan
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Violence and Adolescent, run by University of Michigan at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Laney Rupp, MPH (734-647-6469, laneyr@umich.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Civic Efficacy (time frame: Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points over 1 year: at the start of the summer programs, 2-4 weeks post, 6-months post, and 1-year post participation). The study lists 7 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05887973, which also lists 5 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Aug 2026.