UConn Center for мHealth and Social Media

Check our our Director, Dr. Sherry Pagoto's new Psychology Today piece on how modern technologies that were meant to connect us may have actually fueled the loneliness epidemic and what we can do about it.

Some key points:

☑️ Technology makes avoidance effortless, particularly in interpersonal situations
☑️ Social media platforms reward anti-social behavior
☑️ Technology erodes social skills by allowing us to bypass the social consequences of our behavior
☑️ When technology excuses us from doing the work of navigating difficult interpersonal situations, the result is social skills atrophy.
☑️ When we're on the receiving end of avoidance and poor social skills, our trust in others deteriorates.
☑️ In response, social isolation is embraced as self-protection.

Has Technology Made Us Less Courageous? Why are we celebrating isolation? Technology may be rewarding avoidance—ghosting, quiet quitting, online hostility—at the cost of courage, connection, and trust.

The wonderful people of CHASM chipped in to Adopt-A-Family for Christmas this year. Check out the haul! Happy and healthy holidays to all!

AI can tailor dietary advice to your unique genetics, lifestyle, and health—making nutrition more precise than ever. A new review explores how AI could transform personalized nutrition, its potential to improve health, and the challenges ahead.

Emergency departments are high-risk environments for adverse events but current safety standards overlook the wellbeing of emergency physicians. Addressing shared factors like staffing, teamwork, rest, and administrative burden benefits both doctors and patients. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40762764/

A review found that lifestyle-focused digital interventions—like apps, websites, and text messages—were linked to greater reductions in blood pressure compared to usual care. Study differences mean more research is needed to see which lifestyle changes work best. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40764400/

Calling all early-career researchers! Hopelab is offering a $10,000 Early Career Research Grant—alongside access to exclusive youth well-being datasets—to accelerate equitable research on technology, mental health, and well-being among Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ youth!

2025 Early Career Research Grant - Hopelab Access to youth well-being dataset and $10,000 for early career researchers

Negative comments on social media aren't just hurtful—they impact mental health. In a study of adults, exposure to negative online feedback significantly increased anxiety and lowered mood—especially for younger users. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-10810-8

Virtual reality isn't just for gaming—it’s helping patients in emergency departments. A new meta-analysis of 16 RCTs found that VR significantly reduces: pain, anxiety, and fear. VR may offer a powerful, non-invasive way to ease distress in the ED. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39988506/

A RCT tested a mindfulness-based CBT app (Rover) to support perinatal dads facing depression, anxiety, and stress. While no significant group differences were found, both Rover and the control app improved anxiety, stress, and relationship quality. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40280428/

A new study shows Grief Coach—a text-based program—may help. 86% stayed enrolled, 73% found it very helpful, and 74% felt more supported. A promising tool for hospice bereavement care. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36867525/