Social Media Experiences for Mental Illness

Recruiting at 2 trial locations

Overseen By Hailey Hatch, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Washington University School of Medicine

Disqualifiers: Chronic illness, Autism, Developmental delay, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

250 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to understand how social media affects mental health in preteen girls, with a focus on changes during puberty and feelings of rejection. The study uses a social rejection task (a psychological assessment) to explore these relationships over time. Girls aged 10-11 who use social media and have access to a device for daily diaries might be suitable participants. This research seeks to illuminate the complex interactions between social media and mental well-being during early adolescence. As an unphased study, this trial provides a unique opportunity to contribute to important research that could enhance mental health support for young girls.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that the Social Rejection Task is safe for preteen girls?

Research has shown that social rejection can greatly affect mental health. Studies have explored how feeling rejected impacts emotional well-being, especially in young people. For instance, one study found that social rejection is linked to emotional distress in teenagers. Another study demonstrated that the brain reacts to social rejection similarly to physical pain.

There are no physical side effects, as this is not a drug or medical treatment. Instead, the study aims to understand how social rejection affects mental health. While social rejection can cause emotional discomfort, participating in a study like this may help researchers learn more about supporting the mental health of preteen girls. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Social Rejection Task because it explores the impact of social media interactions on mental health in a way that current treatments don't. Unlike traditional therapies that often involve medication or talk therapy sessions, this approach looks directly at how social experiences, particularly negative ones, affect mental health. By simulating social rejection, it aims to better understand and potentially mitigate the effects of social media on mental illness, offering a novel perspective on treatment and prevention strategies. This could lead to innovative interventions that address the root of social media-induced stress and anxiety.

What evidence suggests that the Social Rejection Task is effective for mental health?

Research shows that social rejection significantly impacts mental health and social integration. Studies have found that rejection or exclusion increases feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Evidence suggests that addressing social rejection can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms by more than a point on standard tests. Additionally, sensitivity to rejection in teenagers is linked to emotional problems, but these negative effects can improve over time. Understanding and addressing social rejection may enhance mental health in preteens. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for early adolescent girls who are going through puberty and may have mental health vulnerabilities linked to social media experiences. It's not clear what specific conditions exclude someone from participating, as the exclusion criteria are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Engagement in social media use

Proficient in the English language

Family/personal device that can complete daily diaries

Exclusion Criteria

Previously diagnosed chronic medical illness

Autism spectrum disorder

Significant developmental or speech delay

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants complete the study intervention focusing on social media experiences and mental health

2 years

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Social Rejection Task

Trial Overview The study is testing how preteen girls' mental health can be affected by their use of social media, especially when they experience rejection. The focus is on understanding the two-way relationship between these factors over time.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: All participants Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All participants complete the study intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Washington University School of Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,027

Recruited

2,353,000+

St. Louis University

Collaborator

Trials

197

Recruited

41,400+

Northeastern University

Collaborator

Trials

103

Recruited

72,600+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6968853/

Effects of rejection intensity and rejection sensitivity on ... Perceived rejection plays an important role for mental health and social integration. This study investigated the impact of rejection intensity ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0920996420306435

Social exclusion and rejection across the psychosis spectrum Social exclusion and rejection have deleterious effects on psychological well-being. Research documents the negative effects of social exclusion and ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12096788/

Assessment of mental and physical health outcomes over ... On average, depression and anxiety scores significantly reduced by 1.28 and 1.37 points, respectively, in each assessment. Sadock, Auerbach [39] ...

4. apa.org apa.org/monitor/2019/05/ce-corner-isolation

The risks of social isolation Evidence links perceived loneliness and social isolation with depression, poor sleep quality, impaired executive function, accelerated cognitive decline, ...

5. capmh.biomedcentral.com capmh.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13034-022-00555-x

Social rejection sensitivity and its role in adolescent emotional ... SRS appears strongly associated with emotional disorder symptoms in adolescents. Importantly, SRS was associated with the malleability of negative ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12220070/

Social rejection in minority groups and its impact on current ... This study examined psychophysiological feedback to experimentally-induced social rejection in hormone-naïve transgender people.

7. aeon.co aeon.co/essays/health-warning-social-rejection-doesnt-only-hurt-it-kills

Health warning: social rejection doesn't only hurt – it kills The brain makes no distinction between a broken bone and an aching heart. That's why social exclusion needs a health warning.