Problematic Use of the Internet

Our research program at the Department of Psychiatry at Cambridge, in problematic use of the internet has been influenced by the Bootstrap project on the problematic use of the internet (PUI), but also includes the following topics :

• Problematic Use of the Internet and Mental Health: Building on the Bootstrap project, research will delve into how PUI affects mental health, with a focus on gender differences and developmental stages. This includes studying the psychological, behavioral, and sociological impacts of excessive internet use and digital behaviors like social media engagement and online gaming.

• Economic and Policy Implications: Drawing from current literature, the program will explore the relationship between socioeconomic factors and mental health, emphasizing the role of economic inequality, poverty, and social exclusion in mental health outcomes. Research will include evaluating the impact of economic policies on mental health and assessing interventions that can mitigate the effects of economic hardship on mental health​​.

• Social Justice and Health Equity: This aspect of the research will focus on addressing mental health disparities rooted in socioeconomic factors, advocating for policies that consider mental health within broader economic conditions. This includes examining how structural inequalities, such as income disparity and access to resources, affect mental health and developing community-based interventions to address these issues​​.

• Professional Awareness and Service Provision: Emphasizing the need for mental health professionals to be aware of and advocate for the social determinants of mental health. This includes incorporating a focus on social justice in therapeutic work and developing strategies for mental health professionals to influence policies that impact mental health outcomes​​.

By integrating these topics, our groups research program aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between mental health, digital technology use, economic conditions, and policy, contributing to the development of effective and equitable mental health policies and practices.