How social media use affects suicidal thoughts in at-risk teens
Official title: Bidirectional relationships between positive and negative social media use and suicidal ideation in high-risk adolescents
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11046145 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using social media affects the thoughts and feelings of teenagers who have just left psychiatric care, to better understand how both good and bad experiences online might influence their risk of feeling suicidal.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2024 |
| Project end | September 10, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $469,159 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH135493-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046145 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents who have recently been hospitalized for suicide-related risks and are active social media users.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not active on social media or who do not have a history of suicidal ideation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex relationship between social media use and suicidal ideation in adolescents who have recently been discharged from psychiatric care. By employing innovative methods such as smartphone sensing to objectively track social media usage patterns, the study aims to uncover how both positive and negative interactions on social media can influence feelings of suicide risk. The research will also involve ongoing consultations with a youth advisory board to ensure that the study remains relevant and sensitive to the experiences of adolescents. Through this approach, the study seeks to provide a clearer understanding of the factors that contribute to suicidal thoughts in this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better guidelines for safe social media use among adolescents, potentially reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on social media and mental health, this study's specific focus on the bidirectional relationship with suicidal ideation in recently hospitalized adolescents is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hamilton, Jessica Leigh — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Hamilton, Jessica Leigh
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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.