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Behavioral Sciences
Special Issues
Digital Technologies, Mental Health and Well-Being
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Digital Technologies, Mental Health and Well-Being

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Psychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 16 July 2026 | Viewed by 2276

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Didier Courbet

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. IMSIC, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
2. IMSIC, University of Toulon, 83041 Toulon, France
Interests: digital media use; media psychology; technologies, well-being and mental health; persuasion and social Influences of media; public health communication
Prof. Dr. Marie Pierre Fourquet-Courbet

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. IMSIC, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
2. IMSIC, University of Toulon, 83041 Toulon, France
Interests: digital media use; well-being and mental health; influences of media and digital media

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Research on the relationships between digital technologies, mental health and well-being has grown rapidly in recent years. A wide variety of technologies and digital media are involved—smartphones, tablets, TV, apps, connected devices—offering access to diverse content and functions such as social networks, video games, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, online therapies, and communities.

Studies examine both the beneficial and harmful links between these technologies and mental health and well-being, with well-being being viewed through its hedonic, psychological and social dimensions.

On the one hand, research explores the positive uses of digital technologies, whether for individuals with mental disorders (e.g., psychotherapies for phobias or anxiety) or for the broader population—for example, in education, prevention, public health communication, emotion regulation, social support and well-being enhancement.

On the other hand, studies also investigate the detrimental links between digital technology uses, particularly problematic uses, and mental health, including decreased well-being, anxiety, digital stress, depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, “Internet addiction,” etc.

This Special Issue invites authors to submit manuscripts addressing a broad range of topics linking digital technologies and media to mental health and well-being, with a focus on children, adolescents, adults and older adults. Conceptual, empirical (qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods), assessments and review papers are all welcome.

Abstract Deadline: April 2026

Notification of Abstract Acceptance: May 2026

Prof. Dr. Didier Courbet
Prof. Dr. Marie Pierre Fourquet-Courbet
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Behavioral Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • digital technologies
  • mental health
  • well-being
  • problematic Internet use
  • social media
  • Internet addiction
  • online therapy
  • virtual reality
  • public health communication
  • digital stress

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
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  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 344 KB  
Article
Peer-Mediated Digital Awareness Among Adolescents: Insights from a CAWI-Based Assessment at the European Researchers’ Night
by Daniele Giansanti, Lorenzo Desideri, Antonia Pirrera and Regina Gregori Grgič
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16030469 - 21 Mar 2026
Viewed by 124
Abstract
Adolescents increasingly engage with digital technologies, yet understanding patterns of smartphone use and fostering reflective awareness remain challenging. Traditional assessments in clinical or school settings may limit participation and self-reflection. This study evaluated the feasibility and impact of a Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) [...] Read more.
Adolescents increasingly engage with digital technologies, yet understanding patterns of smartphone use and fostering reflective awareness remain challenging. Traditional assessments in clinical or school settings may limit participation and self-reflection. This study evaluated the feasibility and impact of a Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) approach to monitor smartphone use, provide immediate individualized feedback, and support peer-mediated dissemination in a public science engagement context. Across three editions of the European Researchers’ Night in Rome (2023–2025), 807 adolescents aged 10–19 completed the SAS-SV questionnaire via on-site tablets or personal devices using QR codes. Smartphone use was categorized into Low Involvement, At-Risk, or Problematic. Participants were encouraged to share the survey link with peers, enabling snowball-mediated recruitment. Participant acceptance was assessed through the Net Promoter Score (NPS). Snowball participation accounted for the majority of responses, highlighting the effectiveness of peer-mediated diffusion. SAS-SV categorization indicated 46% Low Involvement, 39% At-Risk, and 15% Problematic use, with minimal gender differences. NPS values ranged from +69 to +79, with snowball participants reporting slightly higher satisfaction than on-site attendees. These results underscore high engagement, perceived value, and the role of peer networks in promoting reflective digital behavior. Integrating CAWI assessment, immediate feedback, and peer-mediated diffusion created a socially situated environment supporting self-reflection and voluntary dissemination. Peer networks extended both the temporal and social reach of the initiative beyond the public event, demonstrating a scalable and non-stigmatizing model. CAWI-based monitoring combined with feedback and peer-driven diffusion is feasible and effective for adolescent digital wellbeing interventions. This approach fosters reflective digital citizenship, supports self-awareness, and leverages social networks to enhance the reach and impact of youth-centered health promotion initiatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Technologies, Mental Health and Well-Being)
25 pages, 758 KB  
Article
Podcast Listening, Perceived Social Presence, Perceived Social Support, and Subjective Well-Being Among Chinese Young Adults: Sequential Explanatory Mixed Methods Study
by Weiwei Li
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16020267 - 11 Feb 2026
Viewed by 524
Abstract
Background: Podcasts have emerged as a prominent audio medium in the everyday lives of young adults. Despite their growing popularity, the relationship between podcast listening and subjective well-being, along with the psychological mechanisms underlying this association, remains underexplored. This study investigates the relationship [...] Read more.
Background: Podcasts have emerged as a prominent audio medium in the everyday lives of young adults. Despite their growing popularity, the relationship between podcast listening and subjective well-being, along with the psychological mechanisms underlying this association, remains underexplored. This study investigates the relationship between podcast listening and subjective well-being among Chinese young adults and examines the serial mediating effects of perceived social presence and perceived social support. In doing so, it seeks to clarify how immediate media-related experiences are translated into more stable psychological resources that promote mental health. Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach was employed. The quantitative phase involved a questionnaire-based survey of 357 participants, measuring podcast listening behavior, perceived social presence, perceived social support, and subjective well-being. Serial mediation analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized indirect pathways. The qualitative phase comprised semi-structured interviews with 20 participants, and thematic analysis was used to complement and contextualize the quantitative results by exploring young listeners’ subjective psychological experiences during podcast engagement. Results: Quantitative findings revealed a significant positive association between podcast listening and subjective well-being among young adults. Both perceived social presence and perceived social support were found to mediate this relationship, constituting a statistically significant serial mediation pathway. Consistent with these results, the qualitative analysis indicated that auditory immersion in podcast listening is associated with a stronger sense of perceived social presence, characterized by feelings of companionship and parasocial interaction. This heightened sense may be internalized as perceived social support at both informational and emotional levels, and is linked to higher subjective well-being. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that podcasts are not merely channels for information dissemination but function as audio media with meaningful psychosocial value. By identifying the serial mediating roles of perceived social presence and perceived social support, this study extends existing theoretical frameworks to the context of audio media and offers novel empirical evidence regarding the links between digital media experiences and subjective well-being among young adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Technologies, Mental Health and Well-Being)
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18 pages, 492 KB  
Article
Mobile Phone Craving in Spain: Associations with Impulsivity, Anxiety, Gaming Problem, and Gambling Severity
by Jose de-Sola, Joan I. Mestre-Pintó, Víctor José Villanueva-Blasco, Hernán Talledo, Antonia Serrano, Gabriel Rubio and Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16020234 - 6 Feb 2026
Viewed by 481
Abstract
Craving for mobile phone use is increasingly discussed as a relevant feature of problematic engagement with digital technologies. This population-based study of 1601 Spanish adults examined psychological factors (impulsivity traits and affective symptoms) and behavioral correlates linked to mobile phone craving. Primary outcome: [...] Read more.
Craving for mobile phone use is increasingly discussed as a relevant feature of problematic engagement with digital technologies. This population-based study of 1601 Spanish adults examined psychological factors (impulsivity traits and affective symptoms) and behavioral correlates linked to mobile phone craving. Primary outcome: Mobile phone craving scale (MPACS). Secondary analyses: Associations between craving and impulsivity, anxiety, depression, Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), gambling severity, and alcohol use. Craving measured with the MPACS was most common among younger participants (16–35 years old) and strongly related to greater daily phone use, heightened impulsivity, especially urgency and sensation seeking, and higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Among individuals who use their phones for gaming or gambling (n = 463), craving was strongly associated with IGD and gambling severity, suggesting that mobile phones may amplify involvement in these behaviors. Exploratory factor analyses consistently revealed four underlying dimensions—Reactive Impulsivity, Cognitive Impulsivity, Negative Emotions, and Addictive Behaviors—each contributing differently depending on craving intensity. Logistic regression analyses showed that anxiety, impulsivity, phone-use duration, and IGD scores independently predicted high craving levels. Overall, the findings highlight mobile phone craving as a clinically meaningful, multidimensional construct tied to emotional dysregulation and behavioral addiction. Assessing craving may help identify individuals at heightened risk for problematic technology use and related psychological difficulties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Technologies, Mental Health and Well-Being)
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