Digital media use, anxiety, and emotion regulation in teens
Official title: Investigation of Digital Media Use, Anxiety, and Biobehavioral Emotion Regulation in Adolescents
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-11355482 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nationwide study will follow teens and young adults to understand how daily digital media use relates to anxiety and how emotions are managed over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $692,178 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH135477-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11355482 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Teens and young adults aged roughly 12 to 21+ who use digital media regularly and are experiencing varying levels of anxiety.
✕Less likely to help
Teens who do not engage with digital media or who have no anxiety symptoms may derive little direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project follows adolescents and young adults to map how they use digital media in daily life and how that use coincides with anxiety and emotion regulation. Researchers will collect self-reports, real-time mood data, and possibly biometric information to see patterns across different ages. The aim is to uncover mechanisms that explain why digital media can help some youths feel more connected while potentially worsening anxiety for others. Findings could inform parents, schools, and clinicians about healthier digital habits during adolescence and early adulthood.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, results could guide strategies to reduce anxiety risk during adolescence and improve well-being through better digital media use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown links between digital media use and mental health, but this study emphasizes longitudinal and mechanistic links in adolescence.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Myruski, Sarah C — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Myruski, Sarah C
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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.