Exploring how social stress affects depression in college students
Testing a Social Safety Theory Perspective on Depression: An Intensive Longitudinal Immunopsychiatric Data Approach
This study is looking at how social stress, especially during the big change from high school to college, affects feelings of depression in students, by tracking their daily experiences and health responses over three weeks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10895486 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between social stressors and depression, particularly during the transition from high school to college, a time when many students experience increased psychological challenges. By collecting daily self-reports and inflammatory data over a 24-day period, the study aims to understand how perceived stress and biological responses contribute to changes in depression symptoms. The approach integrates psychological and immunological perspectives to provide a comprehensive view of depression's etiology, focusing on how negative social perceptions can exacerbate mental health issues.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are college students who are experiencing symptoms of depression or high levels of stress during their transition to college.
Not a fit: Patients who are not in the college age group or those who do not experience significant stress or depressive symptoms may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions for preventing and treating depression in college students.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the links between social stress and depression, suggesting that this integrated approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moriarity, Daniel P — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Moriarity, Daniel P
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 below.