Dynamic Interplay of Online Risk and Resilience in Adolescence (DIORA): a protocol for a 12-month prospective observational study testing the associations among digital activity, affective and cognitive reactions and depression symptoms in a community sample of UK adolescents

Abstract

Introduction The impact of digital activity on adolescent mental health has been difficult to assess because of methodological limitations and a lack of strong theory. Dynamic Interplay of Online Risk and Resilience in Adolescence (DIORA) is a longitudinal study designed to address these core limitations and tease apart the reciprocal influences linking digital activity and depression symptoms (hereafter ‘depression’) over 12 months in middle adolescence. This study will examine whether negative affective and cognitive reactions evoked by risky digital activities increase depression. It will additionally examine whether protective characteristics (eg, self-efficacy) moderate the associations between digital activity and depression. DIORA will also explore the reverse pathways between digital activity and depression, namely whether depression exacerbates negative affective and cognitive reactions and, in turn, increase risky digital activities or, further, whether risks can be mitigated through active management of digital activity and/or reactions that it evokes. Finally, the study will examine whether the effects of digital activity observed for depression contrast with those observed for well-being.Methods and analysis This is a prospective observational study with three assessment points: baseline (T1), 6 months (T2) and 12 months (T3). We aim to recruit a minimum of 276 adolescents aged between 13 and 14 years from secondary schools in the UK and 1 parent/caregiver/guardian (hereafter, ‘parent’) for each adolescent. Study questionnaires will be completed online.We will fit a range of models to examine the direct and indirect associations among digital activity, the reactions it evokes, depression and wellbeing, and individual and contextual mediators and moderators drawing on the structural equation modelling framework.Ethics and dissemination The study was approved by the London School of Economics and Political Science Research Ethics Committee, reference number 249287. The results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and disseminated through presentations, posters and blogs.