23 September 2024. Last week, on September 19, 2024, two leading representatives of the BootStRaP project, Professor Ornella Corazza (University of Hertfordshire, University of Trento) and Dr. Julius Burkauskas (Lithuanian University of Health Sciences), delivered key presentations at Lithuania’s largest addiction conference, which attracted over 400 participants (350 online).
Both presentations introduced the BootStRaP project, a five-year study involving 22 scientific and medical institutions across Europe funded by the European Commission (Horizon Europe programme), with the hope that the project’s findings will significantly influence policymaking around problematic use of the internet (PUI).
Professor Corazza’s presentation explored how cultural pressures for perfect appearance on social media platforms can lead to image-related disturbances, exercise addiction and other related problems. She presented the results from studies carried out in eight countries, highlighting the previously unexplored association between exercise addiction, appearance anxiety, low self-esteem and the use of a variety of fitness products, including illicit drugs, available on the Internet. Such a phenomenon clearly indicates the need for more informed and integrated responses targeting such vulnerable individuals.
Dr. Julius Burkauskas’ presentation introduced the phenomenon of PUI describing it as excessive online activities associated with marked functional impairment and/or distress, which may include not only gaming and gambling but also online buying or shopping, cybersex/pornography use, social media use, cyberchondria, digital hoarding, and excessive use of online streaming with addictive, impulsive and/or compulsive features.
The conference participants were pleasantly surprised by an unexpected visit from Dr. Hans Kluge, Director of the World Health Organisation’s European Region, who was visiting the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. His presence added a special touch to the event, highlighting the importance of the topics discussed and the international attention they are receiving.
BootStRaP Communication Team Information.
23/09/2024
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