| Project Supervisor | Chen Shen |
| Institution & Department | Imperial College London – Mohn Centre for Children’s Health and Wellbeing, School of Public Health |
| Research Area | RA1: Global Health Innovation |
| Project Start Date | 01/09/2026 – flexible start date offered. |
| Project Duration | 3 months |
| Application Deadline | 31/072026 |
| Working Pattern | Either full-time or part-time. Please discuss and agree on Working Patterns with the Project Supervisor. |
| Working Arrangements | Hybrid |
| The internship will follow a hybrid working model, combining in-person (1-2 days per week at the Imperial White City campus) and remote working to support both effective supervision and flexible working. In-person days will primarily be used for supervisory meetings and participation in departmental seminars and training activities. Remote days will primarily be used for literature review, data analysis, and writing. | |
| How to Apply | View Guidance Here |
Project Description
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Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the development of mental illness, which has long-lasting associations with poor physical health, social functioning, and economic potential. Mental illness is projected to cost the World economy $6 trillion per annum by 2030. In London, there are significant unmet mental healthcare needs of young people, particularly in socioeconomically deprived areas.
Digital technology use, such as mobile phone and social media use and video gaming, is ubiquitous among young people. The digital divide associated with socioeconomic disparities remains persistent. However, it has evolved from inequalities in access to differences in the type and intensity of digital technology use. Previous research suggests that higher levels of digital technology and social media use may be associated with poorer mental health outcomes. However, the interrelationships between socioeconomic status (SES), digital technology use, and mental health in adolescents remain uncertain.
The project aims to generate new evidence on how individual-level and area-level SES influence mental health during adolescence. This project also aims to delineate the mechanistic role of digital technology use explaining the associations between SES and mental health.
This project leverages the Study of Cognition, Adolescents, and Mobile Phones (SCAMP). SCAMP is a London-based longitudinal adolescent cohort study dedicated to investigating the use of mobile phones and other wireless technologies in relation to cognitive, behavioural, and mental health outcomes. Participants of SCAMP are diverse and representative of the secondary school pupils across Greater London by gender, ethnicity, SES, school type, and eligibility for free school meals (FSM). Data on mental health, cognition, environment, biomarkers, lifestyle, and socio-demographics have been regularly collected since 2014.
This project involves analysing longitudinal data collected at baseline and follow-up. Baseline data collection occurred between Nov 2014 and July 2016, with 6590 Year 7 pupils (age 11-12) recruited from 39 secondary schools (26 state/13 independent) in and around Greater London. Among them, 3814 participants completed a follow-up assessment two years later (Nov 2016-July 2018) in Year 9/10 (age 13-15).
Mixed-effect regression models will be used to investigate longitudinal associations between individual-level and area-level SES indices and mental health. SES indices include the number of parents who attended university, parental occupation classification based on the National Statistics Socio-economic Classification, eligibility for FSM, and the Index of Multiple Deprivation. Mental health measures include depression, anxiety, and internalising and externalising difficulties, assessed by validated scales. Age, gender, ethnicity, and school clustering effects will be adjusted for.
Causal mediation analyses will be used to investigate the mediation effects of mobile phone use, social media use, and video gaming on the associations between SES and mental health measures.
Anticipated contribution
This research will strengthen the evidence base, particularly the mechanistic understanding regarding the relationships between SES and mental health in adolescents.
References
1. Lancet Glob Health. 2020 Nov;8(11):e1352
2. Lazzarino AI et al. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2023 Dec 12;78(3):191-198.
3. Shen et al. BMC Med. 2026 Feb 3;24(1):139.
4. NCL Mental Health Strategic Review: Baseline Report. https://nclhealthandcare.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/NCL-CCG-Mental-Health-Services-Strategic-Review-Baseline-Report.pdf
5. Written evidence submitted by Newham CFCS (NCAMHS) (CMH0180). https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/49655/html/
6. Perry RC et al. Learning and Individual Differences. 125, 102822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2025.102822
Internship Details
During the internship, the student will review existing literature and summarise the current evidence and gaps on how SES affects mental health in adolescents.
The student will also undertake quantitative data analyses and write up findings for publication.
By the end of this internship, the student is expected to achieve the following goals:
• Complete planned data analyses.
• Have a manuscript draft ready for submission
Anticipated Benefits for the Student
Through this internship, the student will develop the following doctoral-level research and transferable skills:
- Knowledge of how individual-level and area-level SES may influence mental health, including potential mechanisms through a literature review.
- Hands-on experience with advanced data analytical methods, including mixed-effects modelling, longitudinal data analysis, and causal mediation analysis.
- Skills in critical interpretation of statistical results
- Experience in scientific writing
- Experience in translating findings to messages that are accessible to lay people
Skills, Experience and Knowledge Requirements
Essential Requirements:
- Knowledge of basic epidemiological concepts
- Experience of conducting a detailed review of scientific evidence
- Strong statistical skills (experience with R and/or STATA)
Desirable Requirements:
- Experience of preparing and submitting manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
- Experience of working with/communicating with young people