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Psychiatry International
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Precision Approaches to Anxiety and Depression: Integrating Digital Technologies in...
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Precision Approaches to Anxiety and Depression: Integrating Digital Technologies in Mental Health Research

A special issue of Psychiatry International (ISSN 2673-5318). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 1198

Editors

Dr. Rossella Suriano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Cognitive Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
Interests: complex reasoning; cognition; artificial intelligence; digital education; mental health
Dr. Giorgio Mario Grasso

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Cognitive Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
Interests: artificial intelligence; neuroinformatics; brain–computer interfaces; human-computer interaction; digital mental health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that Psychiatry International is compiling a Special Issue focused on precision approaches to anxiety and depression, integrating digital technologies, computational models, and innovative assessment tools in mental health research. This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality contributions from Editorial Board Members (EBMs) and outstanding scholars in the field.

Mental health research is currently facing important challenges due to the global impact of economic crises, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increasing prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders worldwide. These developments highlight the need for personalized, data-driven approaches and the integration of the latest technological and neuropsychological advancements.

The Special Issue will focus on:

  1. Clinical and psychological consequences of global challenges such as the pandemic;
  2. Innovative digital and technological applications in precision psychiatry and mental health, including eHealth/mHealth tools, computational models, machine learning, neuroimaging, and biomarkers, which can be combined to enhance personalized diagnosis and intervention.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to publish a collection of original research articles and reviews that provide innovative insights and stimulate discussion on cutting-edge approaches in psychiatry and psychology. All accepted papers will be included in a printed edition book after the deadline and will receive wide promotion to maximize visibility and impact.

We warmly invite you to submit your contributions and to join this initiative to advance the understanding and treatment of anxiety and depression through precision psychiatry and digital innovation.

Dr. Rossella Suriano
Dr. Giorgio Mario Grasso
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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Psychiatry International is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 1200 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

  • anxiety
  • depression
  • precision psychiatry
  • digital mental health
  • eHealth
  • personalized interventions
  • AI
  • wearables
  • computational psychiatry
  • psychometrics

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • 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 (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 431 KB  
Article
Comparing Digital and In-Person CBT-Based Group Psychoeducation for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress in University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study
by Francielle Assumpção, Gabriela Oltramari, Gabriel Henrique Bomfim de França, Natália Martins Dias and Fernanda Machado Lopes
Psychiatry Int. 2026, 7(4), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7040162 - 21 Jul 2026
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress has intensified the demand for scalable, evidence-based psychological interventions that can be delivered across traditional and digital modalities. University students represent a high-risk group due to academic demands and developmental transitions, making them a relevant [...] Read more.
The increasing prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress has intensified the demand for scalable, evidence-based psychological interventions that can be delivered across traditional and digital modalities. University students represent a high-risk group due to academic demands and developmental transitions, making them a relevant population for evaluating flexible, technology-mediated interventions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-based psychoeducation offers a structured approach that may accommodate variability in accessibility, preferences, and delivery contexts. This quasi-experimental pre–post study evaluated a CBT-based psychoeducation protocol delivered in group settings in both online and in-person formats. A total of 104 undergraduate and graduate students participated and completed the intervention. Symptom severity was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and the Beck Depression Inventory–II (BDI-II). Significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms were observed over the intervention period, with moderate to large effect sizes. DASS-21 scores decreased from moderate to mild severity levels, and reductions were also observed in BDI-II and HAM-A scores. No significant differences were found between delivery modalities. These findings support the potential of CBT-based group psychoeducation as a scalable intervention. Similar patterns of symptom change were observed across delivery formats, contributing to the expansion of accessible and digitally informed mental health care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Approaches to Anxiety and Depression: Integrating Digital Technologies in Mental Health Research)
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Review

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12 pages, 616 KB  
Review
Virtual Reality-Assisted Cognitive Behavioural Interventions for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Scoping Review of Therapeutic Mechanisms with Potential Implications for Anxiety, Depression, and Precision Digital Mental Health
by Maria Teresa Moreira, Andreia Lima, Diana Ribeiro Martins, Maria Inês Guimarães, Inês Lopes Cardoso, Carla Sílvia Fernandes, Telmo Lima da Costa and Salomé Ferreira
Psychiatry Int. 2026, 7(3), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7030129 - 8 Jun 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 337
Abstract
Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major public health concern frequently associated with anxiety and depressive disorders, highlighting the need for innovative and personalised mental health interventions. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a digital tool that may support cognitive behavioural therapy [...] Read more.
Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major public health concern frequently associated with anxiety and depressive disorders, highlighting the need for innovative and personalised mental health interventions. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a digital tool that may support cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) by enabling immersive and controlled exposure to relevant stimuli. Methods: This scoping review aimed to map how VR is integrated into CBT-oriented interventions for adults with AUD, with a focus on therapeutic mechanisms and their potential relevance for precision digital mental health. The review followed Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, and Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection for studies published in the last ten years in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Two independent reviewers performed screening and data extraction. Results: Eight studies were included, encompassing approaches such as cue exposure, simulation of high-risk environments, and covert sensitisation. The studies explored mechanisms including craving induction and regulation, identification of individual triggers, emotional processing, and enhancement of self-efficacy. The evidence base was characterised by small sample sizes, heterogeneous designs, and limited longitudinal data. Conclusions: This review provides a structured mapping of current applications of VR within CBT frameworks for AUD and highlights key therapeutic mechanisms that may have transdiagnostic relevance. However, the existing evidence remains preliminary, and findings should be interpreted with caution. The results support the exploration of VR within emerging precision digital mental health approaches, while underscoring the need for further rigorous and standardised research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Approaches to Anxiety and Depression: Integrating Digital Technologies in Mental Health Research)
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