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The University of North Texas Health Science Center 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.

The two-year study, led by Dr. Karrie Curry, an assistant professor in UNTHSC’s Master of Science in Lifestyle Health Sciences and Coaching 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 Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium through its New and Emerging Child Mental Health Research program, which supports research to improve mental health services for young people in Texas.

“Social media has become an inseparable part of adolescence, and while it can offer positive connections, there’s also increasing evidence that it negatively affects mental health and encourages substance use,” said Curry, who works in UNTHSC’s College of Health Professions. “This study aims to unpack the ways social media may exacerbate mental health challenges or encourage harmful behaviors.”

The study, titled “Investigating the Association Between Social Media Consumption and Adolescent Mental Health and Substance Use through Daily Diary Assessments,” 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.

“I’m thrilled that Dr. Curry and her team received this significant grant to address such a pressing issue,” said Dr. Misti Zablosky, chair and associate professor of UNTHSC’s Department of Personalized Health and Well-Being. “The rise of social media’s impact on adolescent mental health is something we must understand better. Dr. Curry’s innovative approach to studying social media’s connection to mental health challenges and risky behaviors like substance use will offer valuable insights. I’m excited to see how these findings will lead to meaningful interventions for adolescents, both in Texas and nationwide.”

Curry emphasized that the research will provide crucial data for developing interventions to protect adolescents from social media-related risks.

“We’re hopeful the findings will lead to better mental health support for adolescents in Texas and beyond,” she said.

The application deadline for UNTHSC’s M.S. in Lifestyle Health Sciences and Coaching program closes on Nov. 15. To sign up go to https://gradcas2024.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login.

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