How friendships affect the mental health of immigrant teens
Official title: Adolescent Friendship Networks: Effects on Immigrant Youth’s Psychosocial Health
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-10865570 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how friendships affect the mental health of immigrant teens compared to their non-immigrant peers, helping us understand how these relationships can shape feelings of self-worth and belonging during their important teenage years.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career 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 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $134,938 |
| NIH project number | 1K99HD114887-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10865570 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are immigrant youth aged 12 to 20, particularly those in their first or second generation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in the immigrant youth demographic or who are outside the age range of 12 to 20 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how friendship networks influence the psychosocial health of immigrant youth, particularly those in their adolescent years. It focuses on understanding the differences in friendship patterns between immigrant and non-immigrant teens, as well as how these relationships impact mental health outcomes such as self-esteem and feelings of belonging. By collecting contemporary data on both school and non-school friendships, the study aims to provide insights into the unique challenges faced by immigrant youth. Advanced social network analysis methods will be employed to comprehensively assess these dynamics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health support and interventions tailored for immigrant youth based on their friendship dynamics.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that social networks play a significant role in the psychosocial health of adolescents, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khuu, Thoa — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Khuu, Thoa
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.