Josie Bryan is a Doctoral Candidate in Youth Development and Family Sciences (YDFS) in the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences (FYCS). She conducts prevention science research that tries to understand teens’ mental health in online environments. Josie did not plan to continue her education after receiving her Bachelor’s in Exercise Science and Health. However, while working in a community hospital, she noticed the lack of preventive services in her environment. This began her interest in prevention science and led her to explore why preventative services for young people were so often overlooked.
In her journey to address mental health preventive services for youth, she began with a master’s in public health. While studying at Boise State University, her mentors encouraged her to search for human development programs to follow her passion for bettering teenagers’ mental health. After meeting with Dr. Sarah Lynne, an FYCS faculty member, Josie knew there was a place for her and her passions.
Josie’s Prevention Science Research
Josie studies adolescent mental health in digital environments. Her goal is to understand if the concept of mattering (feeling valued) influences teenagers’ motivations to engage online. She also wants to understand how their motivations to engage online impact depression and suicidal ideation. As digital environments continue to evolve, they continue to influence youth. However, there is much to learn about the impact these changing environments have on youth populations. Expertise from prevention scientists like Josie is critical to help inform policymakers across a wide range of domains. “I hope my research can one day play a role in understanding the influence of digital media and technology on youth,” Josie says, “both the good and bad.” Currently, she is conducting a study to investigate how mattering may change during adolescence. She hopes to use her findings to construct a scale for measuring mattering online in the future.
Josie has contributed to award winning prevention science research and education during her time studying at FYCS. She was part of the winning research team at the 2025 Society for Prevention Research Sloboda Cup competition. Her team studied risk factors, including smartphone and social media use, which may lead to tobacco use in adulthood. The North American Colleges and Teachers of America (NACTA) also recognized her with a Graduate Student Teaching award for incorporating prevention science techniques into her classrooms.
Next Steps
In Fall 2025, FYCS awarded Josie the Rosemary V. Barnett scholarship. This scholarship supports graduate students in the YDFS program striving to be leaders in youth development and family science research. The Rosemary V. Barnett scholarship has provided Josie with a sense of security as she continues her research. “Receiving this award provided me with additional confidence that my current research is both impactful and meaningful,” Josie says, “it will help me be able to focus more on my studies and not worry about seeking additional resources during these difficult economic times.” Josie is now working to complete her dissertation and plans to graduate in Summer 2026.
Departmental scholarships help to support our students like Josie who are passionate about bringing positive change to families and communities. You can support FYCS students this year during Giving Day on February 19, 2026. Learn more about Giving Day on the official Giving Day website.
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