Using smartphones to detect emotional issues and predict depression in teenagers
Official title: Harnessing smartphones for real-time detection of affective disturbance and future depression risk in adolescents
Funded at Mclean Hospital · NIH-11041252 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to use smartphones to help keep track of how teens are feeling by monitoring their activities, sleep, and social interactions, so we can spot early signs of sadness and help them before it turns into something more serious like depression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mclean Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Belmont, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $759,581 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH135844-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11041252 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who may be experiencing emotional disturbances or are at risk for depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are outside the age range of 12 to 20 or those who do not have access to smartphones may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to utilize smartphones to monitor and analyze the emotional states of adolescents in real-time. By tracking behaviors such as activity levels, sleep patterns, and social interactions, the study seeks to identify signs of negative affective states that could lead to depression. The goal is to develop a personalized approach to predict and intervene in these emotional disturbances before they escalate into major depressive disorder. This innovative method leverages the widespread use of smartphones among teens to gather continuous data unobtrusively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early detection and intervention strategies for adolescents at risk of developing depression.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using technology for mental health monitoring, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Mclean Hospital
Belmont, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Webb, Christian Anthony — Mclean Hospital
- Study coordinator: Webb, Christian Anthony
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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.