Under the Screen: Problematic Internet Use and Emotion Regulation

About the research project

This project aims to establish the first emotion-theory-guided, motivation-mechanism-aligned, and adolescent-centred framework to explore the root causes of Problematic Internet Use (PIU) and to inform evidence-based health programs for this looming social crisis. At the moment, the world’s response to the challenge remains largely indifferent toward the unique personalities of people experiencing PIU. From the perspectives of the affect-as-information theory of emotion and the self-determination theory of motivation, we argue that PIU may be a form of emotional dysregulation stemming from unmet needs for social connection and that interventions need to address this unmet need. 

With our expertise in experimental social and emotion psychology, we will begin by systematically examining the causal mechanisms among people’s objective social isolation, their subjective psychological loneliness, and PIU. Flipping the assumption that negative emotions such as loneliness are the consequences of PIU, we theorise and will investigate loneliness and other types of relationship dissatisfaction as the core causes of PIU. This approach will shed light on the fundamental cognitive and affective processes – e.g., social-emotional (dys)regulation – that underlie the wide variability in user susceptibility to inform a new theoretical understanding and inform prevention and intervention programs. Our step-by-step research questions are as follows.

1) The psychological architecture of PIU: pinpointing exactly which psychological needs and emotional states most robustly motivate and exacerbate PIU for adolescents and emerging adults.

2) Causal pathways & boundary conditions: determining through rigorous experiments whether (and how) unmet social support needs influence PIU, and evaluating theory-informed moderators.

3) Mechanism-aligned intervention and prevention: quantifying whether basic-need-targeted micro-intervention – e.g., dyadic relationship practices – and macro-prevention programs – e.g., school peer-network building – can effectively mitigate PIU via promoting social connection.

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor Yen-Ping Chang

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

• a living allowance stipend funded by University of Tasmania of $34,315 per annum for 3.5 years (PhD) or 2 years (Master by Research)
• a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
• a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

A tuition fee offset may be offered to eligible international applicants following competitive assessment 

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

• Ability to work in person on the Launceston campus.

Selection criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

• Proficiency in verbal and written English communication.
• Foundational knowledge of statistics and research design.
• Basic understanding of psychology or cognitive science.

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

• Familiarity with mediation and moderation analysis.
• Introductory knowledge of multilevel or structural equation modeling.
• Basic programming skills.

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Doctor Yen-Ping Chang to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
3. In your application:
   • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
   • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
4. Apply prior to 1 October 2026.

Full details of the application process can be found under the ' How to apply ' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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