SENTI-M: Effects of smartphone usage and social networking sites on mental health in adolescents
What's this study about?
The aim of the SENTI-M study is to learn more about whether smartphone data can predict adolescents' mental health and how smartphones and social media affect adolescents' mental health. In addition to examining direct relationships, we also consider other possible factors that could explain these effects between smartphone/social media use and mental health. These include, for example, perceived social support, self-esteem, social comparison and fear of missing out (FOMO). In this way, we want to better understand why young people are influenced differently by the use of their smartphones and social media. We are also investigating whether data collected passively via smartphones (such as screen time, GPS location, step count, etc.) can be used to predict changes in well-being and mental health.
SENTI-M is an interdisciplinary study involving around 250 students aged between 14 and 17. Recruitment will take place in schools.
What does participation involve?
For the participants, the entire study lasts twelve months and includes the completion of online questionnaires, short questions that are answered in everyday life via an app on the smartphone ("Experience Sampling Methodology", EMA), as well as a diagnostic telephone interview. In addition, screenshots must be taken and uploaded. At the beginning of participation, the study-specific apps are downloaded, which should be active for the duration of the study.
Who can participate?
Adolescents (14-17 years old) currently attending a German-speaking school in Switzerland can participate in the study. They must provide consent to participate, have their own smartphone for the duration of the study and be willing to download and use the study-specific apps.
Why should one participate?
Participants have no direct benefit from participating in the study, but make an important contribution to better understanding how the mental health of young people can be supported. The findings from this study will help to better understand the relationships between the use of smartphones and social media and the development and change of mental health problems in adolescents. This can improve research in the field of the prevention of mental health problems overall.
