About this Research Topic
The rapid development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence is transforming every aspect of our lives, including the ways we understand, assess, and treat mental health conditions. As we move toward an increasingly connected and computationally driven world, the intersection of psychology and technology presents unique opportunities for innovation in both research and clinical practice. This research topic invites scholars, researchers, and practitioners to contribute their work on the emerging field of computational psychology and the applications of technology to mental health.
The theme, "Technologies for Mental Health: Toward a Computational Psychology?" is an invitation to explore how technological tools—ranging from AI-driven diagnostic systems to virtual reality interventions—can reshape our approach to psychological research and treatment. We encourage submissions that address the theoretical, methodological, and practical challenges involved in integrating computational models with traditional psychological frameworks.
This research topic is open to contributions on topics such as:
• Methodological Innovations Advances in data science and computational methods have made it possible to analyze psychological data on an unprecedented scale. We seek papers that explore novel methodologies for processing large datasets in psychology, including machine learning algorithms, natural language processing techniques, and predictive modeling. Contributions that examine how these methods can enhance the precision and reliability of psychological assessments are especially welcome.
• Psychometric Tools in the Digital Age Psychometric evaluation is at the core of psychological practice, and digitalization offers new ways to develop and validate psychometric tools. How can computational techniques improve the measurement of psychological constructs? We invite submissions on the development of digital assessments, adaptive testing platforms, and the integration of psychometrics with artificial intelligence. We are particularly interested in papers that explore new ways to measure complex behaviors or emotions through sensor data, behavioral analytics, or wearable technologies.
• Computational Models of Mental Processes Understanding cognitive and emotional processes through computational modeling is becoming increasingly relevant in both research and clinical contexts. We encourage papers that propose new computational models for understanding mental processes such as perception, decision-making, or emotional regulation. How can such models inform our understanding of mental health disorders and offer novel insights into their treatment? Submissions that bridge the gap between computational psychology and clinical applications are particularly sought after.
• Technology in Therapeutic Interventions The rise of digital tools such as mobile health (mHealth) apps, virtual reality (VR), and teletherapy platforms has revolutionized how mental health services are delivered. We seek contributions that critically examine the effectiveness of these technologies in treating mental health conditions. What are the ethical, practical, and psychological considerations when incorporating technology into therapy? Papers discussing the development and evaluation of new therapeutic technologies, especially those grounded in solid computational principles, will be prioritized.
• Human-Computer Interaction in Mental Health How individuals interact with digital tools designed for mental health is a key aspect of successful implementation. We invite papers that investigate the user experience, engagement, and adherence to technology-based interventions.
Contributions may address the design of user-friendly interfaces for mental health applications, the impact of personalization through AI, or the role of gamification in promoting mental well-being.
• Ethical and Societal Implications As technology becomes increasingly integrated into mental health care, it raises important ethical questions. How can we ensure that AI-driven tools are used responsibly and equitably in mental health settings? What are the risks of algorithmic bias, and how can we safeguard patient privacy in the era of big data? We welcome submissions that engage with the ethical, legal, and societal challenges posed by computational technologies in mental health care.
This article collection is associated with two leading conferences in the field - MindCare 2024 and Realities 2024. Contributions that were presented at these conferences, as well as novel papers that engage with the topics outlined above, are encouraged for submission. Accepted papers will be included in a collection dedicated to the exploration of technology's role in the future of mental health.
We look forward to receiving submissions that push the boundaries of how we understand and treat mental health through the lens of computation and technology. Whether your work focuses on theoretical developments, practical applications, or the ethical dilemmas of using technology in mental health care, we invite you to contribute to this exciting and fast-evolving area of research.
The theme, "Technologies for Mental Health: Toward a Computational Psychology?" is an invitation to explore how technological tools—ranging from AI-driven diagnostic systems to virtual reality interventions—can reshape our approach to psychological research and treatment. We encourage submissions that address the theoretical, methodological, and practical challenges involved in integrating computational models with traditional psychological frameworks.
This research topic is open to contributions on topics such as:
• Methodological Innovations Advances in data science and computational methods have made it possible to analyze psychological data on an unprecedented scale. We seek papers that explore novel methodologies for processing large datasets in psychology, including machine learning algorithms, natural language processing techniques, and predictive modeling. Contributions that examine how these methods can enhance the precision and reliability of psychological assessments are especially welcome.
• Psychometric Tools in the Digital Age Psychometric evaluation is at the core of psychological practice, and digitalization offers new ways to develop and validate psychometric tools. How can computational techniques improve the measurement of psychological constructs? We invite submissions on the development of digital assessments, adaptive testing platforms, and the integration of psychometrics with artificial intelligence. We are particularly interested in papers that explore new ways to measure complex behaviors or emotions through sensor data, behavioral analytics, or wearable technologies.
• Computational Models of Mental Processes Understanding cognitive and emotional processes through computational modeling is becoming increasingly relevant in both research and clinical contexts. We encourage papers that propose new computational models for understanding mental processes such as perception, decision-making, or emotional regulation. How can such models inform our understanding of mental health disorders and offer novel insights into their treatment? Submissions that bridge the gap between computational psychology and clinical applications are particularly sought after.
• Technology in Therapeutic Interventions The rise of digital tools such as mobile health (mHealth) apps, virtual reality (VR), and teletherapy platforms has revolutionized how mental health services are delivered. We seek contributions that critically examine the effectiveness of these technologies in treating mental health conditions. What are the ethical, practical, and psychological considerations when incorporating technology into therapy? Papers discussing the development and evaluation of new therapeutic technologies, especially those grounded in solid computational principles, will be prioritized.
• Human-Computer Interaction in Mental Health How individuals interact with digital tools designed for mental health is a key aspect of successful implementation. We invite papers that investigate the user experience, engagement, and adherence to technology-based interventions.
Contributions may address the design of user-friendly interfaces for mental health applications, the impact of personalization through AI, or the role of gamification in promoting mental well-being.
• Ethical and Societal Implications As technology becomes increasingly integrated into mental health care, it raises important ethical questions. How can we ensure that AI-driven tools are used responsibly and equitably in mental health settings? What are the risks of algorithmic bias, and how can we safeguard patient privacy in the era of big data? We welcome submissions that engage with the ethical, legal, and societal challenges posed by computational technologies in mental health care.
This article collection is associated with two leading conferences in the field - MindCare 2024 and Realities 2024. Contributions that were presented at these conferences, as well as novel papers that engage with the topics outlined above, are encouraged for submission. Accepted papers will be included in a collection dedicated to the exploration of technology's role in the future of mental health.
We look forward to receiving submissions that push the boundaries of how we understand and treat mental health through the lens of computation and technology. Whether your work focuses on theoretical developments, practical applications, or the ethical dilemmas of using technology in mental health care, we invite you to contribute to this exciting and fast-evolving area of research.
Keywords: Mental health, Technology, Computational methods, Machine learning, Ethical considerations, MindCare 2024, Realities 2024
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
