Rutgers University-New Brunswick · PsychologyPreteen Mental Health and Safety Lab
Evan Kleiman · New Brunswick, New Jersey
Research Focus
Dr. Evan Kleiman's lab at Rutgers focuses on understanding suicide risk in preteen children aged 8 to 12, a group with rising rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts. Their research aims to develop better assessment tools that are appropriate for the developmental stage of preteens, and to identify different patterns of risk factors that can inform interventions. Ultimately, the lab seeks to improve the safety and well-being of at-risk youth, particularly those transitioning out of psychiatric care.
suicide riskpreteen psychologymental health assessmentlongitudinal studiesrisk factors
Research Aims
3AIM 01Adapt existing suicide risk measures for preteens into culturally appropriate assessments.
AIM 02Establish phenotypes of suicide risk among preteens using self-reported and objective measures like sleep disturbances.
AIM 03Examine how identified phenotypes predict future suicidal thoughts and behaviors among at-risk preteens.
Skills the Lab Values
interview techniquessurveys and questionnairesdata analysisintensive longitudinal monitoringbiosensor technology
Output against the department
Publications280top 17% of dept.49th of 296
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations16ktop 14% of dept.42nd of 296
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.