# Bidirectional relationships between positive and negative social media use and suicidal ideation in high-risk adolescents

> **NIH NIH R21** · RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. · 2024 · $469,159

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents in the US, with rates of suicidal ideation (SI) and behavior
continuing to increase in recent years. Given the simultaneous increase in social media use (SMU), there is
public concern about the relationship between SMU and SI. Methodological limitations in prior research limit our
understanding of this relationship and the development of empirically-based recommendations for best practices
with SMU. Most studies: 1) only focus on SMU patterns (duration/frequency), 2) assess SMU via self-report
methods at a single timepoint, 3) use cross-sectional designs limiting directionality, and 4) do not consider
influences of other media or in-person social experiences. We also do not yet understand the potential
mechanisms linking SMU and SI. This makes it challenging to identify the nuanced, objective, temporal, and
unique relation between SMU and SI, or potential mechanisms. The proposed study will address these limitations
using rigorous, innovative, and youth-centered approaches, including ongoing consultation of the proposed study
with our youth advisory board. We will use intensive monitoring approaches to examine the relationships
between three SMU domains in relation to SI among adolescents recently discharged from psychiatric
hospitalization for suicide-related risk. SMU patterns (duration/frequency) will be objectively captured using
smartphone sensing methods. Negative SMU (i.e., social rejection via social comparison, negative interactions),
positive SMU (i.e., social connection via social support, positive interactions), and SI will be assessed using
ecological momentary assessment (EMA). This approach allows us to examine directional and proximal relations
between SMU and SI (Aim 1), and to identify SMU’s unique effects compared to other screentime and in-person
social experiences. This study also will evaluate sleep disruption as a potential mechanism linking SMU and SI.
Sleep disruption (e.g., shorter duration, poorer quality) is a proximal risk factor for SI and modifiable target for
prevention. While SMU has been linked to sleep disruption, sleep disruption also may influence SMU patterns
and experiences to heighten risk for SI. This study will capture sleep using actigraphy and sleep diaries to
examine the bidirectional relationships between SMU (patterns, negative, positive) and sleep disruption (Aim
2a), and in risk for next-day SI (Aim 2b). Adolescents (N=85, 13-17 years) in the first 3 months after psychiatric
hospitalization will be recruited and participate in an intensive monitoring study over 28 days, leveraging the
infrastructure from an ongoing multi-site R01. Post-hospitalization is a high-risk period for suicide, and these
high-risk youth may be more affected by SMU, making this period critical for suicide prevention. Results from
this innovative, multi-method study will advance our understanding on relationships between SMU, sleep, and
SI among yo...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11046145
- **Project number:** 1R21MH135493-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J.
- **Principal Investigator:** Jessica Leigh Hamilton
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $469,159
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-11 → 2026-09-10

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11046145

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11046145, Bidirectional relationships between positive and negative social media use and suicidal ideation in high-risk adolescents (1R21MH135493-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11046145. Licensed CC0.

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