Understanding depression in adolescent girls with autism
Official title: Tracking Depression and Associated Modifiable Social-Emotional Factors in Adolescent Girls with Autism
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11194611 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how social and emotional experiences impact depression in girls with autism, ages 10 to 13, to better understand their challenges and help create support that fits their needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,441 |
| NIH project number | 4R00MH131841-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11194611 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescent girls aged 10 to 13 who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not within the age range of 10 to 13 or do not have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how social and emotional experiences affect depression in adolescent girls with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By analyzing existing data, the study aims to track changes in depression symptoms and identify key social factors that contribute to mental health challenges in this population. The research will focus on girls aged 10 to 13, comparing their experiences with those of typically developing peers. The goal is to gather insights that can inform future interventions tailored to the unique needs of girls with ASD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective interventions for depression in adolescent girls with autism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding social-emotional factors can significantly impact treatment approaches for mental health issues in adolescents, suggesting potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zheng, Shuting — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Zheng, Shuting
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Depression and social-emotional factors in teen girls with autism
This project follows adolescent girls with autism to learn how day-to-day social and emotional experiences relate to depression.
-
Understanding how reward responses relate to depression in adolescents with autism
This study is looking at how feeling rewarded—whether from social interactions or other activities—affects depression in teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and it hopes to find ways to help them feel better.
-
Neural roots of how autistic adults understand word meaning
A study to understand how adults with autism process word meanings in the brain, aiming to improve language support.
-
Biotype-based Personalization of Antidepressant Augmentation in Late-Life Depression
A multi-site study will test a computer-guided approach to choosing the best augmentation option for older adults with treatment-resistant depression.
-
Suubi-Mhealth: a mobile app to help Ugandan youth with HIV manage depression and ART adherence
A mobile app designed for 14–17 year olds in Uganda aims to support mental health and keep HIV treatment on track.
-
Group-based postpartum depression prevention: in-person vs. virtual delivery
A large study is testing whether the ROSE group program delivered virtually to pregnant people is just as helpful as the in-person version in preventing postpartum depression.
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.