Social Media Use and Mechanisms of Suicide Risk in Adolescents

项目总结/摘要 在过去十年中，少女的自杀率几乎翻了一番。在同一时期， 社交媒体站点（例如，Instagram、Snapchat、Facebook）已经变得无处不在，近97%的年轻人 现在使用社交媒体。社交媒体对青少年的发展既有风险，也有好处。然而，在这方面， 很可能有一部分脆弱的年轻人，他们使用社交媒体会影响自杀念头， 行为（STBs）。这项研究的主要目标是研究社交媒体的使用如何以及对谁有贡献 因此，我们需要更好地识别和干预高危青少年。一种多方法的方法， 整合计算精神病学和实验技术，将被用来调查具体的 社交媒体的使用影响STB的机制。将从现有数据集（n ~ 2，000人）和招募的样本（n = 90名青春期女性，年龄14-17岁，有STBs终身史）。到 识别增加STB风险的具体、可直接观察到的社交媒体体验， (i.e.,社交媒体内容和元数据）将直接从青少年的社交媒体页面收集， 使用机器学习技术进行分析。此外，一个创新的实验室范式与眼睛- 跟踪/瞳孔测量将用于检查对社交媒体使用的认知和情感反应， 增加了对性传播疾病的脆弱性。将在基线、3个月和6个月随访时评估受试者STB ups.这项研究的目的与候选人的长期职业目标是一致的， 青少年社交媒体使用和心理健康的独立调查员。为了完成这个研究计划 展望未来，候选人提出了四个关键领域的培训：（1）分析机器学习方法 数字跟踪数据，（2）实验性眼动跟踪/瞳孔测量范例，（3）基于机制的翻译 青少年自杀风险研究;（4）专业发展，重点是有效培训 跨学科合作和社交媒体研究的伦理。一个由导师和顾问组成的团队， 多学科将促进候选人的培训，包括青年自杀风险专家，机器 学习和自然语言处理，和实验同伴互动范例。多样化 布朗大学和罗得岛医院的可用资源将确保成功完成 项目和促进候选人的研究计划的发展。这项研究有可能 为我们理解社交媒体在青少年自杀风险中的作用做出了重大贡献。完成 提出的研究和培训目标将独特的定位候选人成为该领域的领导者 青少年使用社交媒体的情况。

Project Summary/Abstract Suicide rates have nearly doubled among adolescent girls over the past decade. During this same time period, social media sites (e.g., Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook) have become ubiquitous, with nearly 97% of youth now using social media. Social media offers both risks and benefits for adolescent development. However, there is likely a vulnerable subset of youth for whom social media use influences suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). The primary goal of this study is to examine how and for whom social media use contributes risk for STBs, so that we may better identify and intervene with youth most at risk. A multi-method approach, integrating computational psychiatry and experimental techniques, will be used to investigate the specific mechanisms by which social media use affects STBs. Data will be collected from both an existing dataset (n ~ 2,000) and a recruited sample (n = 90 adolescent females, ages 14-17, with lifetime history of STBs). To identify specific, directly observable social media experiences that heighten risk for STBs, digital trace data (i.e., social media content and meta-data) will be collected directly from adolescents’ social media pages and analyzed using machine learning techniques. In addition, an innovative laboratory paradigm with eye- tracking/pupillometry will be used to examine cognitive and affective responses to social media use that increase vulnerability to STBs. Participant STBs will be assessed at baseline, 3-month-, and 6-month follow ups. The aims of the study are well-aligned with the candidate’s long-term career goal of becoming an independent investigator of adolescent social media use and mental health. To purse this research agenda going forward, the candidate proposes training in four key areas: (1) machine learning methods for analyzing digital trace data, (2) experimental eye tracking/pupillometry paradigms, (3) mechanism-based translational research in adolescent suicide risk, and (4) professional development, with an emphasis on training in effective interdisciplinary collaboration and the ethics of social media research. A team of mentors and consultants from multiple disciplines will facilitate the candidate’s training, including experts in youth suicide risk, machine learning and natural language processing, and experimental peer interaction paradigms. The diverse resources available at Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital will ensure successful completion of the project and foster the development of the candidate’s research program. The proposed study has the potential to contribute significantly to our understanding of the role of social media in adolescent suicide risk. Completion of the proposed research and training goals will uniquely position the candidate to become a leader in the field of adolescent social media use.