Understanding how gender norms affect mental health in adolescents
Official title: Developing and Testing a Cross-Cultural Measure of Gender Norms and Mental Health in Adolescence
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10727749 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | September 14, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $412,273 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH134201-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10727749 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 12 to 20 or those not experiencing any mental health issues may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fine, Shoshanna Leah — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Fine, Shoshanna Leah
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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.