The Role of Social Media in Adolescents’ Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior

Jacqueline Nesi, Ph.D.

Brown University

Mentor: Anthony Spirito, Ph.D., Brown University

Amount awarded
$104,000 Focus area
Psychosocial Awarded
2018

Inside the Research

Question: How do online peer experiences affect risk for suicidal behavior among female adolescents?

Strategy: Seventy adolescents identifying as female from the inpatient psychiatric unit at Brown-affiliated Bradley Hospital will participate. Online peer experiences of adolescents who have attempted suicide will be compared with teen girls with suicidal ideation who have not attempted suicide. A multi-method assessment that includes qualitative and semi-structured interviews and surveys and social media data will be studied.

Impact: Identification of novel targets for suicide prevention efforts among female adolescents.

This study is underway

Findings will be published here as the research progresses. to hear when they’re available.

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