Current Research Projects

Smoking and mental health

At the Psychotherapeutic Ambulance of the University of Siegen, we are currently looking into the effects of smoking cessation on mental health. For this study, we are actively looking for people with a mental disorder (e.g. depression, anxiety disorders) or significant psychological stress who also smoke cigarettes regularly. Participation in the study includes a free smoking cessation program consisting of 6 appointments over 3 weeks.

New ways to quit smoking: retraining of automatic smoking processes

Tobacco addiction is still one of the most common substance use disorders in Germany. Although negative consequences of smoking are well known and many smokers have the desire to quit smoking, relapse rates are high even after successful therapy.

Behavioral addictions: Internet sex addiction

So-called "behavioral addictions", such as computer game addiction, (Internet) shopping addiction and/or Internet sex addiction (Internet pornography addiction) have been sparsely researched so far and there is rather little knowledge about their development, maintenance and therapy.

Expositionstherapie bei Angsterkrankungen: Möglichkeiten und Grenzen neuer Technologien

Können technologische Neuentwicklungen dabei helfen die Effektivität der Expositionstherapie weiter zu stärken und Patienten mit Angsterkrankungen noch besser behandeln zu können?