Exploring how teens manage emotions related to social media use and mood changes
Official title: Using Real-Time Methods to Investigate Emotion Regulation as a Modifiable Target Connecting Adolescent Social Media Use and Mood
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11069484 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how teens use social media and how it affects their feelings, especially after tough experiences online, to find out what helps them feel better or worse, so we can help improve their mental health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $42,574 |
| NIH project number | 1F31MH136815-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11069484 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents who actively use social media and may experience negative emotional responses from their online interactions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use social media or who are not experiencing emotional difficulties related to their online interactions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between adolescent social media use and mental health outcomes, focusing on how teens regulate their emotions after negative experiences online. By using real-time methods, the study aims to identify the emotion regulation strategies that adolescents employ, which can either mitigate or exacerbate feelings of depression and anxiety. The goal is to understand the factors that differentiate positive and negative mental health outcomes in teens who use social media. This knowledge could inform future interventions aimed at improving emotional well-being among adolescents.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective strategies that help adolescents manage their emotions better, potentially reducing rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that emotion regulation strategies can significantly impact mental health outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dreier, Melissa J. — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Dreier, Melissa J.
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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.