Understanding and Improving the ‘Self’ Using Immersive Virtual Reality

About this Research Topic

Background

Immersive Virtual Reality (VR) technology allows users to experience realistic virtual scenarios that might be too difficult, daunting, or implausible to experience in real life. This aspect of VR has been used to great effect when treating anxiety disorders or phobias, as well as investigating interpersonal and social behaviour. Virtual reality has been previously used, for instance, to enhance self-efficacy, self-motivation, and well-being in the workplace, as well as to reduce apathy in geriatric care, among other applications. Embodiment over a virtual body and its influence on cognition, behaviour, and perceptions further reveal underlying behavioural or emotional attributes such as biases and empathy. As VR gains mainstream popularity, with over 11 million headsets sold just in the last year, it is important to understand the significance of the technology in terms of understanding and improving the ‘self’.

With the ease of access to the technology, it is a great opportunity to engage in experimental research and development towards relatively low-cost, automated alternatives to traditional forms of self-improvement. These may include developing interventions to foster psychological health such as decreasing anxiety or depression, looking into paradigms for positive psychology such as self-compassion, innovative methods for tackling phobias, and even learning and transferring new skills to the real world, related to education, music, sport, and language. One of the most prolific applications of VR has been related to tackling anxiety disorders with respect to, for example, heights, spiders, and public speaking. However, with improvement in hardware in terms of visual fidelity, body, face, and eye tracking, as well as progress with developing automated systems and avatars, it would be beneficial to explore new approaches in terms of technology advancements and their impact. More specifically, VR can be used not only to replicate or augment traditional approaches but also to lead to unique and novel approaches (while still ensuring ethical standards).

We invite submissions from authors exploring approaches towards improving the ‘self’ using VR or augmented reality (or generally in XR). Submissions may include experimental research studies, systematic reviews, and conceptual contributions towards technology-based approaches to psychological interventions. Considering the novelty of such topics and the need for a generalised understanding of the underlying mechanisms, we also encourage authors to conduct replications of previous studies in the field.

Possible themes for submission to this topic include, but are not limited to:
- Evaluating real-world learning of a skill based on training in a VR environment - Could be related for example to sport, language, music, or similar activities.
- Innovative techniques for tackling phobias - These could include replication and use of emerging technology such as AI/ML, natural language processing, and automated agent behaviour, in order to deliver automated treatment.
- VR-based interventions for tackling mental health issues, including novel approaches for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Original research could look to further enhance mental well-being using positive psychology with VR. E.g., Explore experiences that foster positive psychological health through gratitude, mindfulness, and/or meditation-based interventions for the non-clinical population.
- Experimental studies with understudied or vulnerable populations such as older adults or young adults in relation to contexts such as ageing anxiety, body image, or bullying.
- Systematic reviews of existing literature in the field, including a discussion of commercially available applications, their impact, and safeguards needed when developing experiences for commercial
purposes.
- Discussion of generalised frameworks for implementing technology-mediated interventions for self-improvement from a psychological perspective.
- Exploration of ethical considerations in terms of participants’ mental health and the type of virtual experiences.

Keywords: virtual reality, self improvement, mental health, wellbeing, phobias, intervention-based research, skill learning

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.

Frequently asked questions

• What is a Research Topic?

  Frontiers' Research Topics are collaborative hubs built around an emerging theme.Defined, managed, and led by renowned researchers, they bring communities together around a shared area of interest to stimulate collaboration and innovation.

  Unlike section journals, which serve established specialty communities, Research Topics are pioneer hubs, responding to the evolving scientific landscape and catering to new communities.

• Why does Frontiers publish Research Topics? 

  The goal of Frontiers' publishing program is to empower research communities to actively steer the course of scientific publishing. Our program was implemented as a three-part unit with fixed field journals, flexible specialty sections, and dynamically emerging Research Topics, connecting communities of different sizes and maturity.

  Research Topics originate from the scientific community. Many of our Research Topics are suggested by existing editorial board members who have identified critical challenges or areas of interest in their field.

• Why are Research Topics important for journals?

  As an editor, Research Topics will help you build your journal, as well as your community, around emerging, cutting-edge research. As research trailblazers, Research Topics attract high-quality submissions from leading experts all over the world.

  A thriving Research Topic can potentially evolve into a new specialty section if there is sustained interest and a growing community around it.

• How do we ensure the quality of articles within Research Topics?

  Each Research Topic must be approved by the specialty chief editor, and it falls under the editorial oversight of our editorial boards, supported by our in-house research integrity team. The same standards and rigorous peer review processes apply to articles published as part of a Research Topic as for any other article we publish.

  In 2023, 80% of the Research Topics we published were edited or co-edited by our editorial board members, who are already familiar with their journal's scope, ethos, and publishing model. All other topics are guest edited by leaders in their field, each vetted and formally approved by the specialty chief editor.

• What are the benefits of publishing my article in a Research Topic?

  Publishing your article within a Research Topic with other related articles increases its discoverability and visibility, which can lead to more views, downloads, and citations. Research Topics grow dynamically as more published articles are added, causing frequent revisiting, and further visibility.

  As Research Topics are multidisciplinary, they are cross-listed in several fields and section journals – increasing your reach even more and giving you the chance to expand your network and collaborate with researchers in different fields, all focusing on expanding knowledge around the same important topic.

  Our larger Research Topics are also converted into ebooks and receive social media promotion from our digital marketing team.

   
• What types of articles can be published in a Research Topic?

  Frontiers offers multiple article types, but it will depend on the field and section journals in which the Research Topic will be featured. The available article types for a Research Topic will appear in the drop-down menu during the submission process.

  Check available article types here 

• Can I suggest a new Research Topic? 

  Yes, we would love to hear your ideas for a topic. Most of our Research Topics are community-led and suggested by researchers in the field. Our in-house editorial team will contact you to talk about your idea and whether you’d like to edit the topic. If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. 

  Suggest your topic here 

• Who leads a Research Topic? 

  A team of guest editors (called topic editors) lead their Research Topic. This editorial team oversees the entire process, from the initial topic proposal to calls for participation, the peer review, and final publications.

  The team may also include topic coordinators, who help the topic editors send calls for participation, liaise with topic editors on abstracts, and support contributing authors. In some cases, they can also be assigned as reviewers.

• What is the role of a topic editor?

  As a topic editor (TE), you will take the lead on all editorial decisions for the Research Topic, starting with defining its scope. This allows you to curate research around a topic that interests you, bring together different perspectives from leading researchers across different fields and shape the future of your field. 

   

  You will choose your team of co-editors, curate a list of potential authors, send calls for participation and oversee the peer review process, accepting or recommending rejection for each manuscript submitted.

• What support will I receive when editing a new Research Topic? 

  As a topic editor, you're supported at every stage by our in-house team. You will be assigned a single point of contact to help you on both editorial and technical matters. Your topic is managed through our user-friendly online platform, and the peer review process is supported by our industry-first AI review assistant (AIRA).

• As a junior researcher, can I be involved in editing a Research Topic? 

  If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. This provides you with valuable editorial experience, improving your ability to critically evaluate research articles and enhancing your understanding of the quality standards and requirements for scientific publishing, as well as the opportunity to discover new research in your field, and expand your professional network.

• Can I get a certificate for editing a Research Topic?

  Yes, certificates can be issued on request. We are happy to provide a certificate for your contribution to editing a successful Research Topic.

• Who will I collaborate with?

  Research Topics thrive on collaboration and their multi-disciplinary approach around emerging, cutting-edge themes, attract leading researchers from all over the world.

• How long does it take to publish a Research Topic?

  As a topic editor, you can set the timeline for your Research Topic, and we will work with you at your pace. Typically, Research Topics are online and open for submissions within a few weeks and remain open for participation for 6 – 12 months. Individual articles within a Research Topic are published as soon as they are ready.

  Find out more about our Research Topics

• What fee support is available to authors publishing in a Research Topic?

  Our fee support program ensures that all articles that pass peer review, including those published in Research Topics, can benefit from open access – regardless of the author's field or funding situation.

  Authors and institutions with insufficient funding can apply for a discount on their publishing fees. A fee support application form is available on our website.

• Will there be a printed version of my Research Topic?

  In line with our mission to promote healthy lives on a healthy planet, we do not provide printed materials. All our articles and ebooks are available under a CC-BY license, so you can share and print copies.