Developmental Psychology: Digital Media and ADHD – Lisa Thorell's research group

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Developmental psychology: Digital media and ADHD

Lisa Thorell’s research group has two main focus areas: digital media (i.e., social media and gaming) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Regarding digital media, the group is currently conducting several studies focusing on how digital media use influences child development (e.g., attention, language) and mental health (i.e., eating disorders, self-harm, and ADHD) from birth to late adolescence. This research includes large samples of normally developing children/adolescents as well as clinical samples of children/adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders, mental health problems, or chronic somatic problems. The group is also working on implementing the new digital media recommendations published by the Swedish Public Health Agency in 2024, guidelines for mobile-free schools, and the potential advantages and disadvantages of a law prohibiting children from using social media before a certain age. Another project focuses on developing prevention programs to support children and adolescents in using digital media in a balanced way, through school-based programs or parental support. The second line of research focuses on ADHD in girls and women. This line of research includes register-based studies examining how female ADHD is associated with comorbid disorders and healthcare seeking. We also conduct studies investigating how symptom levels and daily life functioning are influenced by fluctuations in hormonal levels during the menstrual cycle using data collected via a mobile phone application or through qualitative interviews.

Ongoing projects

  • Associations between digital media use and early child development: A longitudinal project from pregnancy to age 2 years
  • Adolescent’s perceived effects of social media use and their attitudes towards national screen time recommendations
  • Digital media addiction in children with ADHD
  • Digital media use in families with preschool children diagnosed with ADHD or ASD
  • A transdisciplinary research program on female ADHD

Publications

Selected publications

All publications from group members

Funding

Grants

Staff and contact

Group leader

All members of the group

Postal address

Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Nobels Väg 9, Stockholm, 17177