How media violence affects adolescent mental health and attention.
Official title: Neurocognitive Processing of Gun Violence in the Media: Implications for Adolescent Anxiety, Depression, and Racial Inequities
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11109708 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how watching media that shows gun violence affects the mental health of teenagers, especially their feelings of anxiety and depression, with a special focus on Black teens who might face extra stress; researchers will use brain scans to see how their brains react to this kind of media.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | June 12, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $678,965 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH136072-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11109708 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20, particularly those who frequently consume media depicting gun violence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or those who do not engage with media content related to gun violence may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to media depicting gun violence impacts the mental health of adolescents, particularly focusing on anxiety and depression. It examines the effects of frequent media consumption on the adolescent brain, especially during a critical period of neural development. The study aims to understand how these exposures may lead to increased vigilance and anxiety symptoms, particularly among Black adolescents who may experience additional racial stress. By using advanced brain imaging techniques, the research will assess changes in attention and emotional responses to media coverage of gun violence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health interventions for adolescents affected by media portrayals of gun violence.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that media exposure can significantly impact mental health, suggesting that this study's approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woody, Mary Louise — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Woody, Mary Louise
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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.