research overview
- My research investigates the negative impact of social media and smartphone usage on mental health and well-being. Through mindfulness-based interventions, and evidence-based methodologies, I aim to identify problematic behaviors, develop strategies for meaningful change, and explore social technologies’ broader implications on compassion and nervous system health. Key studies from 2023-2024 identified specific behaviors—like passive consumption and frequent notifications—that correlate with anxiety, depression, stress, and reduced life satisfaction. Using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, I refined tools to assess and categorize problematic behaviors. A collaboration with data scientist Nick Hunkins analyzed 576 participants in a five-week social media intervention (PRISM), revealing that higher levels of social media addiction were strongly associated with increased stress and a diminished sense of personal agency. Participants who adhered to self-directed goals experienced significant reductions in both stress and addiction levels, emphasizing the importance of intentional behavior change. PRISM integrates mindfulness, psychology education, and peer support. It has high effectiveness in reducing problematic usage and improving well-being for individuals at clinical levels of social media dependency. Practices such as meditation, journaling, and community engagement foster attentional control and help replace harmful digital habits with meaningful alternatives. Through workshops, outreach, and educational initiatives, I have shared this information with students, educators, and parents, reaching over 1,500 individuals in 2023-2024. Moving forward, my goal is to expand the reach of this work, creating scalable resources and interventions to help more people reclaim their well-being and foster healthier relationships with technology.
