Virtual reality (VR) offers a safe, immersive environment for medical training, but some users remain skeptical about a broader implementation. Our study aims to explore how personality traits, affective responses, and task-related perceptions correlate with attitudes towards VR-based medical emergency training. Forty-seven medical students participated in a 30-minute VR emergency training. Personality

Currently, time spent online viewing short-form video (SFV) has become an increasingly popular activity. SFV users spend over two hours daily across a variety of SFV platforms. Undergirded by the theory of technological affordances, the present study is the first to investigate the relative strength of three tech affordances-recommendation accuracy, serendipity, and perceived effortlessness offered

Most research regarding social comparisons on social media has been limited demonstrating their effects on mental health, without explaining the underlying motivational mechanics. It appears that individuals are often motivated to reduce uncertainty about the self. Social media may serve as a tool to access diagnostic information through social comparison. However, because these platforms predominantly

The present study aims to explore the negative online experiences in adolescence, as well as examine the associations of those and their interaction patterns with the frequency of worry and risk perception in relation to several types of online victimization. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study conducted between 2022 and 2023. We collected a nonprobabilistic sample of 824 Spanish adolescents

Young adult couples frequently use text messages to discuss conflicts within their relationship. While face-to-face conflicts have been shown to elicit more negative anticipation and negative emotions in victims of traditional, offline forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) (e.g., psychological and physical) compared with nonvictims, no study has examined how victims of cyber IPV (C-IPV) experience

Bullying, a type of power abuse, deserves to be addressed, and this study examines bullying-related discussions on Reddit before and after the pandemic to better understand its dynamics during this time. We analyzed 8,720 posts and 21,607 comments from the r/Bullying subreddit using static and dynamic topic modeling (DTM) to understand the major topics discussed in the subreddit. Based on static topic

People regard cognitive effort as costly and try to conserve such effort whenever possible. This study aimed to examine the relationship between frequent media use and perceived cost for cognitive effort. A sample of 266 participants (mean age = 25.66, 187 females) completed questionnaires of media use, cognitive thinking style, and psychological distress. They also completed a cognitive task and estimated

This research examined the contagion of interpersonal goals through mock social media posts among Facebook users recruited from Prolific. Two pilot studies were conducted to create Facebook posts that reflected different combinations of self-image and compassionate goals. Then, in the main experiment, 775 participants were randomly assigned to view one of four posts in a 2 (self-image content) × 2

This study quantified the prevalence of two risky online behaviors among adolescents in Vietnam: online privacy disclosure and online pornography use. We conducted a field experiment with 1,313 junior high school students aged 13-15 years in Hoa Binh city. In addition to conventional direct questions, we employed list experiments to address social desirability bias in the students' responses. The results

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools could create statements that are seemingly plausible but factually incorrect. This is referred to as AI hallucination, which can contribute to the generation and dissemination of misinformation. Thus, the present study examines whether forewarning about AI hallucination could reduce individuals' acceptance of AI-generated misinformation. An online experiment

Cyberscams are a pervasive global issue with losses exceeding $1 trillion worldwide and resulting in significant psychosocial impacts, particularly shame. People with disabilities, such as acquired brain injury (ABI), may be additionally vulnerable due to cognitive impairments and social isolation. Increased scam vulnerability and risk factors for people with ABI have not been investigated. This study

Recent research has investigated the connection between artificial intelligence (AI) utilization and feelings of loneliness, yielding inconsistent outcomes. This meta-analysis aims to clarify this relationship by synthesizing data from 47 relevant studies across 21 publications. Findings indicate a generally significant positive correlation between AI use and loneliness (r = 0.163, p < 0.05). Specifically

How has the field of virtual reality (VR) evolved and what type of research has made an impact? We used natural language processing techniques and generative artificial intelligence to develop the most complete review of experimental social science VR research to date (1992-2024). From a collection of 21,195 abstracts written by 52,543 unique authors, 13 reliable themes emerged over time, with immersive

With the rapid development of virtual technology, the metaverse has become an influential communication tool driving engagement in prosocial behavior. This study examined whether spatial presence in a metaverse affects charitable involvement and prosocial behavior. Additionally, it explored the impact of descriptive norms in the metaverse, validated as effective in the physical world. A laboratory

Smartwatches are digital devices, similar to smartphones, and come with the possibility of problematic use. Problematic technology use is the experience of psychological distress or reduced daily functioning in response to excessive or addictive technology use. The purpose of this study was to explore whether problematic use of smartwatch devices for exercise tracking influences user's health behaviors

Objectification, being perceived and treated merely as an object with a denial of one's humanness, has been linked to numerous adverse outcomes in daily life. Despite this, its influence on online behaviors, particularly problematic gaming, remains underexplored. The current research (total N = 1,000) extends the literature on objectification by investigating the effect of objectification on problematic

In today's sociocultural milieu, characterized by pervasive social media and evolving conceptions of masculinity, this study examines the interplay among loneliness, social media addiction, self-reliance, and life satisfaction across Generations (Gen) X, Y, and Z. Employing a comprehensive model, the study explores social media addiction as a mediator between loneliness and life satisfaction, with

A substantial portion of the literature investigating whether playing video games with violent content causes aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors has relied on experimental exposure to video game violence. To date, there is significant evidence suggesting these concepts are positively related, while other experiments demonstrate a null effect. A potential explanation for these contradicting

The growth of online video-game players has seen a parallel growth in online gaming communities. Membership in these communities has been well known to play a vital role in shaping social connections and fostering social capital. This systematic review explored the role of interacting virtual identities in shaping the relationship between membership in gaming communities and social capital as an outcome

With the rapid advance of technology, human interactions with virtual avatars in simulated social environments are becoming increasingly common. The aim of the current study was to examine users' perception of social traits and emotions of "neutral," expressionless avatars using an open-source collection. These avatars represented different ethnicities, genders, and occupations via visual features

The penetration of short-form content in daily life is undeniable. TikTok is one of the most popular and fastest-growing short-form video applications globally. This study examined the underlying motives for using TikTok and explored differences in psychological symptoms related to TikTok usage patterns (i.e., active vs. passive). A survey of 500 TikTok users identified six prominent reasons for engaging

Nowadays, with the widespread use of the Internet, cyberbullying has become a pervasive threat to people. This study aimed to create a structural model of cyberbullying based on dark personality traits, with empathy as a mediating factor among students. A total of 360 students of the Mohaghegh Ardabili University were included using the multistage random sampling method. Data were collected using the

This study examined the Proteus effect in autistic and neurotypical participants via the video game, The Sims. Thirty-two participants (16 autistic, 16 neurotypical) participated in a free-play session of The Sims, playing as either an attractive or unattractive avatar. In line with predictions, participants who had played as the attractive avatar negotiated for a significantly larger share of a fictional

Virtual meetings, facilitated through videoconferencing or virtual reality, have become a common form of workplace communication. Despite the advantages these meetings offer, enabling collaboration among workers in dispersed locations, the phenomenon of virtual meeting fatigue, commonly referred to as Zoom fatigue, has emerged as a significant concern. This study explores whether facial appearance

The connection between bullying others and depression is clear. Less clear are the communicative paths through which being a bully leads to depression. Cyberbullying consists of communicative episodes that transcend modes of communication, contexts, and relationships wherein a social network of communicators pursues a subordinate goal of harming other(s) mentally, emotionally, and/or physically to

The present study aims to bridge the gap regarding the potential influence of problem gaming on problem gambling (PG) by examining the potential indirect effect of risky loot box use in this relationship. We also aim to examine these relationships in an understudied cultural context, that is, Eastern European, thus enlarging the current geographical scope of the research on problematic gaming and gambling

The field of problematic Internet use (PIU) has seen significant academic interest in recent years. In the absence of a universally accepted definition of PIU, a multitude of scales have been developed to evaluate it. Notably, the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS-2), formulated on the cognitive-behavioral model by Caplan, emerges as a significant instrument in this domain. This research

In this study (N = 495), dating apps were conceptualized as digital leks. We examined how interpersonal (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy), sexual (sociosexual attitudes, desires, and behavior), and search (satisficing, alternatives) styles relate to mating success through dating apps (dates and sex). Individuals with a faster life history strategy, particularly men high in psychopathy and

Sexual harassment (SH) against women is one of the most worldwide problems. To mitigate its incidence, various programs, including virtual reality (VR), have been developed for both prevention and treatment. 360-degree video has emerged as a subfield of VR capable of inducing the body swap illusion and facilitating perspective-taking (PT), as well as eliciting related emotions. The present study represents

In recent years, a plethora of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots have been developed and made available to the public. Consequently, an increasing number of individuals are integrating AI chatbots into their daily lives for various purposes. This trend has also raised concerns regarding AI chatbot dependence. However, a valid and reliable scale to assess AI chatbot dependence is yet to be developed

This study examined the influence of design "nudges" on bystanders' willingness to intervene in online harassment using a social media simulation. Utilizing a 2 × 2 experimental design, we tested the ability of key design features (community guidelines and pop-up messaging) to induce a sense of self-efficacy (low/high) and personal responsibility (low/high) and thence to influence intervention levels

Cyberhate, also known as hate speech, has emerged as a significant global concern. Existing research suggests that adolescents are primarily involved in cyberhate as bystanders, mainly unintentionally. However, there is growing evidence that some adolescents intentionally search for such content. Some indications suggest that actively searching for cyberhate may align more closely with sending it than

Virtual reality (VR) interventions are receiving increasing attention from research seeking to promote harmonious intergroup relations. Despite this, the effectiveness of VR methods and the underlying mechanisms for enhancing intergroup relations yield mixed findings. The current research examined if a 360° immersive video where participants embodied an unhoused person could improve attitudes and behavioral

Virtual environments like online videogames offer increasingly more people the opportunity to socialize purely within the digital plane. These interactions, often done through customizable avatars, have brought about the concept of the "virtual-self," understood as the multiple identities that can be expressed in virtual environments. This can take many forms and fulfill different psychological roles

Social rejection is a common and unavoidable experience for users of dating apps. Research suggests that socially anxious individuals may be particularly likely to use dating apps to establish intimate relationships, given their preference for online (vs. face-to-face) communication. However, social anxiety (SA) symptoms are associated with heightened negative affect and decreased prosocial behavior

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between different screen time (ST)-related behaviors and mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress. In addition, this study aimed to determine the moderating role of socioeconomic status (SES). This was a cross-sectional study and included data from 620 adolescents, aged 12-17 years, from the Valle de Ricote, Region of Murcia

Individuals experiencing homelessness are among the most vulnerable population for mental and physical health disparities. Despite navigating numerous stressors on a day-to-day basis, they are vastly underrepresented within coping research. Using a person-centered approach, this study addresses ways in which technology is leveraged to manage ongoing stressors associated with the experience of homelessness

The integration of large language models (LLMs) into healthcare highlights the need to ensure their efficacy while mitigating potential harms, such as the perpetuation of biases. Current evidence on the existence of bias within LLMs remains inconclusive. In this study, we present an approach to investigate the presence of bias within an LLM designed for mental health support. We simulated physician-patient

Social media use is ubiquitous to the lives of children and adolescents. The body of research investigating its potential impact on mental health has risen exponentially. We systematically reviewed the present literature exploring potential linkages between social media use and symptoms of depression and anxiety in this vulnerable group. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and

This study delves into the influence of clickbait types (hyperbole, insinuation, visual rhetoric, and puzzle) and structures (emotion-label and emotion-laden words) on user cognitive and emotional responses in an online environment. Using electroencephalography with 32 internet-experienced participants, we analyzed how these different clickbait configurations affect engagement and processing. Our findings

The ability and self-efficacy to utilize the internet and technological devices has become critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. By examining the role of on- and offline social capital as a moderator in the relationship between technological self-efficacy (TSE) and subjective well-being, this study aims to contribute to the understanding of whether the social compensation or social enhancement hypotheses

Information and communication technologies (ICT) provide digital tools to support and facilitate social engagement. However, the extent to which new ICTs, such as instant messaging, and training on its use, enhance intergenerational family interactions and reduce social isolation and loneliness needs further exploration. In the present study, we developed a brief psychoeducational intervention to promote

Digital detoxification is a conscious disconnection from all smartphone activities for a certain period of time, which has been undertaken as effective by researchers to improve well-being, but studies found inconsistent results, with a primary focus on negative well-being, thus necessitating a need to focus on the positive aspect. As a result, the current study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis

Digital technologies are important for expanding access to mental health support in low-resource settings. The current study tests the feasibility of a blended learning mental health intervention that was implemented for adolescents in Lebanon (N = 1,234), most of whom were Syrian refugees. The intervention features a digital game called The Helping Hand, which teaches adolescents how to respond to