In the SNAP Lab, we utilize tools from social neuroscience to better understand the experiences and abilities that make us human, with the ultimate goal of improving mental health and wellbeing. Currently, the two overarching research themes of the lab are:
Psychological and neural mechanisms of digital media use, with a focus on risk and protective factors and links to mental health and wellbeing
The impacts of emotion regulation and goal pursuit on health & wellbeing
Current and forthcoming research projects are tackling questions such as:
Which kinds of interventions can be developed to alter a person’s self-worth so it is less affected by feedback on social media, and which brain regions and networks help support these changes?
How can we identify problematic aspects of social media use and break links between problematic use and poor mental health?
How do different facets of cognitive reappraisal, including reframing situations and reorienting our goals within situations, promote mental health and psychological resilience?
