Understanding how gender norms affect mental health in adolescents

Developing and Testing a Cross-Cultural Measure of Gender Norms and Mental Health in Adolescence

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10727749

This study is looking at how ideas about gender affect the mental health of young people aged 12 to 20 in Chile, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Indonesia, and it aims to create a new tool to better understand these influences by talking to teens about their experiences.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10727749 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of gender norms on mental health issues among adolescents aged 12 to 20 in diverse cultural contexts, specifically in Chile, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Indonesia. By employing a mixed methods approach, the study aims to develop and validate a new measure that captures gender normative perceptions related to mental health. The research will involve collaboration with local universities and utilize focus groups to gather insights from adolescents about their experiences and perceptions. Ultimately, the goal is to fill existing gaps in understanding how gender influences mental health during this critical developmental period.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who are experiencing mental health challenges or are interested in discussing their mental health experiences.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 12 to 20 or those not experiencing any mental health issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health interventions tailored to the specific needs of adolescents based on their gender norms.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using mixed methods to explore cultural influences on mental health, indicating that this approach is promising.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Behavior Disordersbehavioral disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.