How digital media affects 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-10920446 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how using digital media affects anxiety in teenagers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, to see if it helps them feel more connected or makes them feel more anxious.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $682,529 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH135477-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10920446 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who experience anxiety symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 12 to 20 or those without anxiety symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between digital media use and anxiety in adolescents, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to understand how teens engage with digital platforms and how this affects their social connections and emotional well-being. The study will explore the timing of digital media use in relation to feelings of anxiety and will identify mechanisms that may explain why digital media can either help or hinder emotional regulation. By focusing on this critical developmental period, the research seeks to provide insights into the impact of technology on mental health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for managing anxiety in adolescents through better understanding of digital media's role.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the links between digital media use and mental health, making this study a valuable continuation of that work.
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.