Research Cores

Our team’s work focuses on the following three SMAHRT research cores

Core 1: Measuring technology use and misuse

The purpose of this technology use and misuse research core is to explore how technology use interacts with health outcomes relevant to adolescent and young adults, and to develop innovative methods for assessing technology use which can be used in research and clinical settings.

Projects within this SMAHRT research core focus on the measurement of technology use in general. We have also created two validated measurement instruments, the Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS) and the Adolescents’ Digital Technology Interactions and Importance Scale (ADTI). For more on the PRIUSS and ADTI, visit Use Our Methods.

Core 2: Online safety

The purpose of these projects is to investigate key issues in online safety, and to provide adolescents and their families with sound and relevant education on safe internet use in a meaningful and appealing manner. Towards this goal, we apply a transdisiplinary approach, which combines elements of public health, educaiton, and consumer science.

Projects within this SMAHRT research core include education and prevention approaches to internet safety and cyberbullying. For more on our online safety core, read our studies within this research core here.

Core 3: Social media and health

Projects within this SMAHRT research core share the common goal of understanding displayed health behaviors on social media sites, and considering new ways to provide prevention and intervention programs using social media. For more on our social media and health research core, read our studies within this research core here.