Logo with the words 'Cleo Study' inside a speech bubble on a light green background.

What is the CIELO Study?

CIELO stands for Cultivating Interpersonal connections and Education engagement in youths’ Lives and Online Interactions.

This research explores how Arizona teens’ mental health, relationships, and digital lives are connected and impact well-being and school life. The @HEART Lab previously partnered with the school district for the TIES study, which examined the factors that improve school engagement, health, and wellbeing, which ultimately leads to improved academic success. Building on the TIES study, CIELO aims to partner with schools to help families, and communities support teens early and promote healthy relationships both online and offline.

A sunset over mountains with dark clouds and a pink-orange cloud formation in the sky, with residential houses and parked cars in the foreground.

Why focus on digital communication?

Technology has changed how relationships work.

Digital communication:

  • Happens constantly

  • Can feel more intense than in-person conversations

  • Lacks tone, facial expressions, and context

  • Can make small misunderstandings feel bigger

For teens—who are still learning how to manage emotions and relationships—these features matter.

CIELO studies how digital communication fits into teens’ everyday relationship experiences so adults can better understand what support actually helps.

Informational Videos

Watch to learn more about scientific research, so you can make an informed decision about participation.

What is research?

¿Que es una científica?

Examples of research and how it can impact lives.

Ejemplos de investigación y su impacto en vidas.

The goals of the CIELO Study.

Los objetivos del estudio CIELO.