Understanding how stress affects depression risk in adolescent girls

Brain-Behavioral Predictors of Interpersonal Stress Generation and Depression Risk in Adolescent Girls

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10904955

This study is looking at how stress from social situations can lead to depression in teenage girls, and it aims to understand how their brains and behaviors react during tough interactions, so we can find better ways to spot and prevent depression early on.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-10904955 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how interpersonal stress contributes to the risk of developing major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescent girls. It focuses on understanding the brain and behavioral responses during negative social interactions, which may lead to increased stress and depression. By using advanced techniques like functional MRI and self-report assessments, the study aims to identify the mechanisms that drive stress generation in these youth. The ultimate goal is to improve early detection and prevention strategies for MDD in this vulnerable population.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are female adolescents aged 12 to 20 who may be at risk for developing depression.

Not a fit: Patients who are not female adolescents or those who do not exhibit risk factors for depression may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention strategies for depression in adolescent girls by identifying key stress-related mechanisms.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding the relationship between stress and depression in adolescents can lead to effective interventions, making this approach promising.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, 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.