Understanding how social experiences affect mental health in adolescent girls

Neural sensitivity to social evaluation and daily online and in-person social experience with peers: Predicting fluctuations in suicidality, self-harm, and depressive symptoms in adolescent girls

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11124028

This study looks at how daily social interactions, both online and in person, affect the mental health of girls aged 13-17, especially those who are at higher risk for issues like depression and self-harm, to help find ways to support them better.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-11124028 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between social evaluation and mental health issues such as suicidality, self-harm, and depression in adolescent girls. By using ecological momentary assessment, the study captures real-time data on how daily online and in-person social interactions influence these mental health outcomes. The research focuses on a sample of adolescent girls aged 13-17, particularly those at high risk for suicide, to better understand the factors that contribute to fluctuations in their mental health. The goal is to identify patterns that could inform prevention strategies and interventions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescent girls aged 13-17, particularly those who are at high risk for suicide or have a history of self-harm.

Not a fit: Patients who are not adolescent girls or those who do not experience mental health issues related to social evaluation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention of suicidality and self-harm in adolescent girls.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that social evaluation can significantly impact mental health, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, 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.
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.