Mental Health, Anxiety, and Emerging Technologies: Assessment, Social Implications, and Interventions
A special issue of Societies (ISSN 2075-4698). This special issue belongs to the section "The Social Nature of Health and Well-Being".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 805
Special Issue Editors
Interests: test anxiety; vrtual reality; biofeedback; assessment and intervention in anxiety
Interests: autism spectrum disorders; attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity; eating disorders; mental health/pathology; family and psychopathology; disability
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue focuses on the application of emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), 360° video, biofeedback, and neurofeedback—in the field of mental health. The aim is to explore how these tools can contribute to the assessment, prevention, and intervention of mental health problems, with a particular emphasis on anxiety disorders, one of the most prevalent conditions worldwide.
The scope of this issue is interdisciplinary, bridging psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, education, public health, and social sciences. Contributions are expected to examine how digital and technological innovations can improve diagnostic accuracy, enable personalized and immersive therapeutic interventions, and foster resilience and well-being in diverse populations.
The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for advancing both research and practice in technology-assisted mental healthcare. By highlighting empirical evidence, conceptual discussions, and systematic reviews, it seeks to critically assess the opportunities and challenges posed by the integration of emerging technologies in clinical, educational, and community contexts.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- AI-based tools for mental health assessment and early detection of anxiety.
- VR and 360° video for exposure therapy, relaxation, and preventive interventions.
- Biofeedback and neurofeedback applications for self-regulation and anxiety treatment.
- Digital platforms for prevention, resilience training, and mental health literacy.
- Ethical, cultural, and accessibility considerations of technology-based mental health solutions.
Through this Special Issue, Societies will contribute to shaping an evidence-based understanding of how emerging technologies can enhance the assessment, prevention, and intervention of mental health problems, offering new insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers alike.
Prof. Dr. María Camino Escolar-Llamazares
Prof. Dr. María Ángeles Martínez-Martín
Dr. Andrea Liliana Ortíz-González
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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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 double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Societies 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 1400 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
- mental health
- anxiety disorders
- emerging technologies
- assessment
- intervention
- prevention
- artificial intelligence (AI)
- virtual reality (VR)
- biofeedback and neurofeedback
- digital mental health
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