Social Media, Smartphone Use and Self-harm in Young People

Completed

• Conditions: Self-Harm, Deliberate

• Registration Number: NCT04601220
• Lead Sponsor: King's College London

Brief Summary

Self-harm is when somebody hurts their body as a way of coping with difficult feelings. Self-harm is becoming increasingly common in young people, particularly in adolescent females. The rise in self-harm has been linked to increasing use of social media and internet technology among young people. However, the evidence is limited to associations with poorer mental health outcomes rather than identifying particular aspects of using these technologies that can negatively impact on mental health.

This study aims to investigate how the use of social media and a smartphone may increase the risk of self-harm in young people by exploring changes in usage in the period leading up to an episode of self-harm. The information from this study will allow us to understand whether there are certain behaviours that are more likely to occur before an episode of self-harm. This will inform new strategies to identify and provide support to vulnerable young people. For example, linking young people with crisis support or empowering young people to make changes, manage their own risks and build resilience.

This study will recruit young people aged 13-25 years old who have accessed mental health services provided by an NHS Trust in South-East London. Young people will be invited to provide information on their mental health and social media and smartphone use over a period of six months.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2020-10-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-10-22
• Study First Posted: 2020-10-23
• Study Start: 2021-06-03
• Primary Completion: 2023-06-30
• Study Completion: 2023-07-31
• Status Verified: 2023-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-01
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 388

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Self-harm event	6 months	Self-reported and clinician-reported self-harm events

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Anxiety symptoms	6 months	Symptoms of anxiety measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale. Scores range between 0-21, with higher scores indicative of possible generalised anxiety disorder.
Sleep disturbance symptoms	6 months	Symptoms of sleep disturbance measured using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sleep Disturbance Short Form V1.0 4a / Pediatric Sleep Disturbance Short Form V1.0 4a. Scores range between 4-20, with higher scores indicative of possible sleep disturbance.
Loneliness symptoms	6 months	Symptoms of loneliness measured using the Three-Item Loneliness Scale. Scores range between 3-9, with higher scores indicative of possible loneliness.
Depression symptoms	6 months	Symptoms of depression measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire. Scores range between 0-27, with higher scores indicative of possible depression.
Experiences of being bullied	6 months	Experiences of being bullied measured using an Eight-Item Bullying Checklist derived from the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. Scores range between 8-40, with higher scores indicative of more experiences of being bullied.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; 🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom