Adolescent social media content and well-being in SGM and non-SGM youth
Official title: Using mixed methods to evaluate self- and other-generated TDM content as predictors of socioemotional well-being in sexual and gender minority (SGM) and non-SGM adolescents
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11393903 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will follow 400 teens over two years to see how what they post and what they see on social media relates to their mood, friendships, and overall well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $411,396 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HD109850-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393903 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 13–15 who are in the study’s target groups (including sexual and gender minority youth and their non-SGM peers).
✕Less likely to help
Teens outside the 13–15 age range or those not in the targeted groups may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project tracks how self-generated posts and what others post about teens influence their socioemotional health over time. It uses longitudinal data and ethnographic methods to study two groups—sexual and gender minority youth and their peers—to understand bidirectional effects between social media content and well-being. By observing actual online content and linking it to well-being measures, the study aims to identify patterns that contribute to healthier digital environments for adolescents. The research is led by experts with extensive experience in adolescent development and social media research, and will recruit 400 participants aged roughly 13–15 over two years.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide families and clinicians on healthy digital media practices and inform policies or tools that support adolescent well-being online.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows links between social media use and well-being, with this project adding longitudinal and content-observational insights to strengthen understanding.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Selkie, Ellen Marie — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Selkie, Ellen Marie
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.