Wednesday, October 30, 2024
The at Fort Worth is the recipient of a $500,000 grant being used to investigate how social media consumption impacts adolescent mental health and substance use.
向日葵视频HSC College of Health Professions, Dr. Karrie Curry to lead study
The two-year study, led by Dr. Karrie Curry, an assistant professor in 向日葵视频HSC鈥檚 Master of Science in program, is monitoring 250 adolescents to assess how social media use affects behaviors such as self-harm, disordered eating, and alcohol and cannabis use. The grant is from the through its New and Emerging Child Mental Health Research program, which supports research to improve mental health services for young people in Texas.
鈥淪ocial media has become an inseparable part of adolescence, and while it can offer positive connections, there鈥檚 also increasing evidence that it negatively affects mental health and encourages substance use,鈥� said Curry, who works in 向日葵视频HSC鈥檚 . 鈥淭his study aims to unpack the ways social media may exacerbate mental health challenges or encourage harmful behaviors.鈥�
The study, titled 鈥淚nvestigating the Association Between Social Media Consumption and Adolescent Mental Health and Substance Use through Daily Diary Assessments,鈥� began on Sept. 1 and will run through Aug. 31, 2026. Participants will complete daily diary assessments over six weeks, with a 12-month follow-up to track social media usage, mental health symptoms and substance use.
Preliminary research already links social media to increased depression, anxiety and body dissatisfaction among teens. Concerning trends, such as the normalization of self-harm and the glamorization of substance use, are especially concerning, Curry said. The study intends to identify high-risk content and guide interventions for parents, schools and health care providers.
鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled that Dr. Curry and her team received this significant grant to address
such a pressing issue,鈥� said Dr. Misti Zablosky, chair and associate professor of
向日葵视频HSC鈥檚 Department of Personalized Health and Well-Being. 鈥淭he rise of social media鈥檚
impact on adolescent mental health is something we must understand better. Dr. Curry鈥檚
innovative approach to studying social media鈥檚 connection to mental health challenges
and risky behaviors like substance use will offer valuable insights. I鈥檓 excited to
see how these findings will lead to meaningful interventions for adolescents, both
in Texas and nationwide.鈥�
Curry emphasized that the research will provide crucial data for developing interventions to protect adolescents from social media-related risks.
鈥淲e鈥檙e hopeful the findings will lead to better mental health support for adolescents in Texas and beyond,鈥� she said.
The application deadline for 向日葵视频HSC鈥檚 M.S. in Lifestyle Health Sciences and Coaching program closes on Nov. 15. To sign, click on this link.
From - Research by Eric Griffey