Past Event! Note: this event has already taken place.
Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Mental Health in Adolescents
October 13, 2020 at 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
| Location: | You will receive a calendar invitation to join the virtual event within a few days of registering. |
| Audience: | Staff and Faculty |
| Contact Email: | samantha.munro@carleton.ca |
About 10-20% of children and youth are diagnosed with a mental disorder and many more experience subclinical symptoms of mental disorders. With increasing prevalence rates, researchers are attempting to identify modifiable behaviours that can prevent symptoms related to mental disorders. Promoting physical activity and reducing screen time have been identified as important targets that can enhance psychological health. In this presentation, I will review the literature on the independent relationships between physical activity, screen time, and psychological health and findings from my own research. I will also outline one of the difficulties of studying screen time over time given changes in technology. Finally, I will outline my ongoing program of research that focuses on understanding the quality of screen time rather than solely focusing on the quantity of screen time.
About the Researcher
Katie Gunnell is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology. She is interested in understanding the psychological correlates and mechanisms of psychological health and behaviour across various populations including youth, adults, and individuals diagnosed with osteoporosis. Her research examines all aspects of the psychological health continuum including ill-being (e.g., symptoms of depression), hedonic well-being (e.g., positive affect), and eudaimonic well-being (e.g., vitality). The behaviours she is interested in understanding include physical activity and recreational screen time (e.g., watching TV, playing video games). In an effort to better understand how to enhance psychological health and physical activity and decrease screen time, Katie is particularly interested in psychological needs (e.g., competence, autonomy, and relatedness) and motivation as mechanisms for change. In a secondary line of research, she is interested in psychometrics and quantitative statistics.
Mental Health Speaker Series
This session is part of the Healthy Workplace Mental Health Speaker Series 2020/2021. Find out more.
Registration
To register for this session, please fill out the form below. More information will be sent to you via email closer to the session date.