Exploring how social media climate activism affects mental health in minority youth
Official title: Youth climate activism on social media: Building psychosocial resilienceamong minority youth
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11170621 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being involved in climate activism on social media affects the mental health of young people from minority backgrounds, aiming to find ways to help them cope with stress and feel better about their experiences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $114,633 |
| NIH project number | 5K01MD019730-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11170621 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are minority youth under 21 years old who are actively engaged in climate activism on social media.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not engaged in climate activism or are over the age of 21 may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the psychological impact of climate activism on minority youth engaging with social media. It aims to understand how these experiences can lead to both risks and resilience regarding mental health issues, particularly in the context of climate-related distress. By analyzing social media networks and content, the study seeks to identify strategies that can help mitigate negative emotional consequences and promote mental well-being among these youth. The findings could inform interventions aimed at reducing mental health disparities linked to climate change.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide valuable insights and strategies to enhance the mental resilience of minority youth affected by climate change.
How similar studies have gone: While the intersection of climate activism and mental health in minority youth is a relatively novel area of research, there have been successful studies exploring social media's impact on youth mental health more broadly.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parnes, Mckenna — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Parnes, Mckenna
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.