Our research lies at the intersection of Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Public Health, and Psychology. We focus on broadly on digital mental health, investigating the uses, perceptions, and effects of technology on users' mental health. We look at the interaction from a holistic perspective, which means we investigate general purpose technology, non-condition-specific health technology, and condition-specific technology with the purpose of informing design. Thus, we consider mental health generally (i.e., emotional, psychological, and social aspects) as well as mental illnesses. We take a human-centered approach - meaning we put people first.
Active Projects
Digital Mental Health
- Headspace Study (Judith Borghouts, PhD)
- Mindnumbers App (Peter Westlake)
Mental Health in Diet and Fitness Technologies
- Mental Health in Diet and Fitness Communities
Mental Health, Well-being, and Social Media
- Social Media Monitoring in Schools (PI Bloss)
Healthcare
- Compassion in Telepsychiatry
- Doulas in Birth Givers' Care
Completed Projects
- iSchool Inclusion Institute (i3) Program Evaluation - Belonging, Inclusion, and Mental Health in Education
- Help@Hand: Evaluation of Digital Mental Health Technologies Across CA
- Built-In Belonging: Scaling and Fostering Diverse and Inclusive Intergenerational Communities of Practice
- CAPS Redesign Project
- Mindflow
- The Influence of Priors on Mental Health and Well-being Behaviors Among College Students at UC San Diego
- Supporting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Mental Health Needs Using Digital Tools
- College Students' Mental Health
- The Use & Consequences of Diet and Fitness Apps by College Women with Eating Disorders
- Emotion and Thought Responses to Data Engagement and Design Features in Diet and Fitness Apps
- Stigma and Sharing on Social Media: How Immigrant Students with Depression Cultivate Connections
- SMS Stress and Burnout Monitoring in Physicians (Claire Manhard, MPH, Drs. Fergerson & Hekler)
- Depression Self-Management Among College Students: Understanding Practices and Perceptions to Inform Mobile Applications
- Understanding Ways to Increase Compassion through Teaching Teams at the UC San Diego Campus to Better Serve Student Needs
- #Depression: Immigrant College Students' Perceptions of Social Media
- Instagram Insights for Wellness
- Content Analysis of Diet and Fitness Tracking Apps
