How rejection sensitivity and puberty affect mental health in preteen girls using social media
Official title: Rejection Sensitivity and Puberty in Mental Health Vulnerability to Social Media Experiences in Early Adolescent Girls
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11044423 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how social media affects the mental health of girls aged 10-11, especially considering how they feel about rejection and their puberty changes, to help find ways to support them better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,041,082 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH135480-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11044423 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are girls aged 10-11 years who are experiencing or at risk for mental health issues related to social media use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 13 years or who do not engage with social media may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how preteen girls' experiences with social media can impact their mental health, particularly focusing on factors like rejection sensitivity and the timing of puberty. The study will follow a group of 250 girls aged 10-11 over three years, assessing their mental health, social media usage, and hormonal changes. By using advanced data collection methods, the research aims to understand the relationship between these factors and how they contribute to mental health challenges. The goal is to identify both risks and protective factors that can help mitigate negative outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and interventions for improving mental health in preteen girls affected by social media.
How similar studies have gone: While research on social media's impact on mental health is growing, this specific focus on rejection sensitivity and puberty in preteen girls is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whalen, Diana J — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Whalen, Diana J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Rejection sensitivity and puberty: how social media affects mental health in early-adolescent girls
This project follows a group of 250 girls aged 10–11 to see how online rejection experiences and puberty timing relate to changes in mood and mental health over three years.
-
Understanding rejection sensitivity and mental health in LGBTQ+ teens
A long-term study follows LGBTQ+ adolescents to see how worries about rejection affect their mood and mental well-being.
-
How puberty and rejection sensitivity affect preteen girls' mental health on social media
This project follows 250 girls ages 10–11 over three years to see how puberty, hormones, and sensitivity to rejection relate to their social media experiences and mental health.
-
How worries about rejection affect mental health in LGBTQ+ adolescents and young adults
Researchers will follow sexual minority teens and young adults and use short, real-time smartphone prompts to learn how expecting or feeling rejection links to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
-
An integrated mobile health program to reduce SAVA and mental health problems among female sex workers in Kenya
A new mobile health program aims to help female sex workers in Kenya avoid substance abuse, violence, HIV, and depression by delivering group therapy, online resources, and a peer discussion space.
-
Adolescent girls in Uganda: a long-term look at how money empowerment and family support affect HIV prevention, care, and mental health
A long-term study in rural Uganda will test whether an intervention that combines economic empowerment and family strengthening can help HIV-negative and HIV-affected adolescent girls move safely into young adulthood.
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.