Marianne Bonnert

I am a researcher at Karolinska Institutet, specializing in the development and implementation of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) for children and adolescents with chronic health conditions, particularly those managing asthma and anxiety. My work also extends to developing digital interventions for parents of young children with behavioral difficulties, with potential applications for supporting families of children with asthma.

Additionally, as a team leader and lecturer at Karolinska Institutet, I play a key role in training clinicians in advanced psychological treatments within child and adolescent psychiatry, contributing to the next generation of practitioners skilled in addressing complex, comorbid conditions in youth.

My core research focuses on the development and effect of digital CBT interventions, initially applied to functional gastrointestinal disorders, where I worked to create accessible treatments that effectively reduce pain-related avoidance in young patients.

My current research focuses on the unique challenges faced by children and adolescents with both asthma and anxiety. Asthma affects 5-15% of Swedish children, and these young patients are twice as likely to develop anxiety compared to their peers. The combination of asthma and anxiety can worsen respiratory symptoms and increase distress, making it difficult to distinguish between the physical manifestations of asthma and those stemming from anxiety.

This work with children and adolescents builds upon my previous efforts in developing and evaluating internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) for adults with asthma-related anxiety, which has shown very promising results. What is particularly intriguing about this research is our ability to influence the complex relationship between anxiety and asthma by investigating whether ICBT can reduce anxiety, improve asthma symptoms, and enhance the quality of life for this population.

Additionally, I am leading research on digital interventions for parents of young children (2-7 years) with behavioral difficulties, including oppositional and disruptive behaviors. This work may also provide valuable insights for developing digital parental support tailored to families of young children with asthma, as parental anxiety and behavioral responses play a crucial role in managing the child's symptoms and emotional well-being.