How gossip affects children's feelings of belonging
Official title: The Impact of Gossip on Children's Feelings of Belongingness
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10919162 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how gossip affects kids' feelings of belonging and their mental health, focusing on how talking about others or being talked about can make them feel more connected or upset.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 5F32HD108861-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10919162 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are experiencing social interactions in school or community settings.
✕Less likely to help
Children who are not currently engaged in social environments or who are outside the age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of gossip on children's sense of belonging and psychological health. It aims to understand how both spreading and being the target of gossip can influence children's feelings of connection and distress. The study will involve two lab experiments and one naturalistic observation to assess these effects in children. By exploring these dynamics, the research seeks to fill a gap in understanding how social interactions shape children's emotional well-being.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help improve children's mental health by informing strategies to foster positive social interactions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that gossip can significantly affect social dynamics in older age groups, but this specific focus on younger children is novel.
Where this research is happening
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Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yucel, Nazli Meltem — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Yucel, Nazli Meltem
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.