Research

Current Research

iPad with the words Mental Health Matters

Assessing Attitudes Towards Self-Guided Mobile Mental Health Applications Within First-Generation South Asian Adolescents

The purpose of this study is to examine general attitudes towards mental health interventions in general, and self-guided mobile mental health applications within first-generation immigrant South Asian adolescent populations. South Asian adolescents whose parents have immigrated to the United States are at high risk to experience psychological disorders and distress, yet they are least likely to access mental health services.

You may be eligible if you:

  • Are between 13 and 19 years old.
  • Identify as a South Asian first-
    generation immigrant (you were born in
    the U.S. and have parents who have
    immigrated from a South Asian area).
  • Identify as South Asian.

All participants are compensated for their time.

For more information and/or to sign up, contact Ria Nagar at rnagar1@gsu.edu.

 

Cancer Caregiving Across Identities: Exploring Experiences, Unmet Needs, and the Role of Technology in Psychosocial Health

This study aims to study the perspectives of informal/family cancer caregivers from marginalized groups including their unmet needs, distress levels, views on technology-based psychosocial interventions, and experiences within the healthcare system. When a caregiver feels healthy and supported, both caregiver and patient cope with the cancer better and feel better mentally and physically.

You may be eligible if you are:

  • 18+ years old
  • English-speaking
  • An unpaid caregiver of a cancer patient

All participants will be compensated for their time.

For more information and/or to sign up, contact Heather Quirk at hpatton2@gsu.edu.

 

two hands of different skin tones holding pinkies
notebook with the word hello written in different languages

Spanish Attitudes toward Psychological Online Interventions (SAPOI)

SAPOI aims to test the reliability and validity of the Spanish translation of the Attitudes toward Psychological Online Interventions Scale (APOI). Translation of this measure can provide researchers with a more detailed and inclusive look at the Hispanic community’s attitudes towards psychological online interventions which may in turn promote more equitable access to these interventions. 

Previous Research

Using Mobile Applications for Self-Care 

This study aims to analyze and extract important themes from students’ self-reported experiences using a variety of mobile applications for self-care as part of an Abnormal Psychology & Psychopathology course at Georgia State University. 

Acceptability of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Acceptability Study): 

The Acceptability Study examines the effectiveness of two interventions designed to increase acceptability and actual use of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) programs in both a college and community sample. Treatment-seeking behavior is assessed by providing respondents with a link to a second survey where they may indicate interest in publicly available computer and smartphone-based mental health programs. 

Outcome Probability Bias Task Study: 

Outcome probability bias is the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of a negative outcome and is theorized to maintain symptoms of social anxiety disorder. The ART lab has created a computer task designed to measure outcome probability bias using social imagery. We will be conducting a confirmatory factor analysis as well as evaluating a biomarker for stress in relation to social anxiety disorder.

Cognitive Biases in Control Group (CBIC):

CBIC aims to examine cognitive biases across a continuum of symptoms of social anxiety. This study expands on previous research by comparing the reliability of measures of cognitive bias in a clinical population (CBIS) to a population of individuals who do not meet criteria for social anxiety disorder, but may experience sub-threshold symptoms (CBIC). 

Cognitive Biases in Social Anxiety (CBIS):

The CBIS (Cognitive biases in Social anxiety) study is taking a look at the cognitive processes of individuals with social anxiety. We aim to use the results from CBIS to aid the development of new ways to identify and treat people who are affected by social anxiety. We are also examining attention biases, and exploring sub-types of social anxiety that present as avoidant and/or vigilant.

Social Motivation and Outcome Expectancy in Social Anxiety Disorder:

This fMRI study aims to examine the relationship between expectations about psychotherapy and neurological processes underlying social motivation in people with social anxiety disorder.  Data collection was completed at the GSU/GA Tech Center for Advanced Brain Imaging (CABI) in 2016-2017 and data analyses are ongoing.

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT):

This systematic review aims to examine the extent to which participant demographics (e.g. age, gender, race/ethnicity) are reported in clinical trials for anxiety disorders.

Fear of Public Speaking Study (FOPS):

This randomized clinical trial was the first to investigate the comparative efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy with virtual reality exposure (VRE) to traditional cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure group therapy (EGT) among a socially anxious adult population with a specific phobia of public speaking.