Chair of Social and Preventive Medicine

Prevention of mental illness over the life span

The aim of the research focus "Prevention of mental illnesses over the lifespan" is to identify risk factors for the development and progression of mental illness and to develop corresponding concepts for health promotion. Prevention and prevention programs are specifically designed to meet the requirements of standard care in terms of feasibility, practicability and resource economy.

Psychosocial, movement and psychotherapeutic interventions for mental illness

In the project "Sports therapy and psychotherapy - an evaluation study with depression patients (SPeED)" the aim is to investigate the effect of an endurance sports intervention in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy on depression symptoms and to gain new insights into the underlying neural and cognitive mechanisms.

Development of a Minimum Dataset for Mental Health Research – German Center for Mental Health (DZPG)

The aim of this project is to develop a standardized Minimum Dataset (MDS) for use across research sites and healthcare sectors to facilitate the assessment of core dimensions of mental health. The MDS comprises sociodemographic and anamnestic information as well as modules covering the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC), the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP), Global Health, and additional transdiagnostic psychometric constructs. By enabling efficient and scientifically robust data collection, the MDS seeks to improve data comparability across studies, sites, and healthcare settings, thereby supporting translational mental health research within the German Center for Mental Health (DZPG).

The Impact of Breathwork-Assisted Psychotherapy and Breathwork in Naturalistic Settings on Mental Health

In this DZPG-funded multicenter research initiative, we are investigating breathwork involving deep breathing in the context of mental health. Our focus is on potential changes in well-being, depressive symptoms, and emotional processing. In particular, we are examining the underlying psychological mechanisms as well as key safety considerations. The goal of the project is to scientifically characterize the therapeutic potential of breathwork in naturalistic settings and within the framework of breathwork-assisted psychotherapy.

Loss and Regain of Control in Alcohol Use Disorders (SFB TRR 265)

As part of the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre Transregio TRR265 "Losing and Regaining Control in Addiction", Project A01 investigates factors contributing to the loss and recovery of control over alcohol use. In a prospective longitudinal study, we follow individuals with alcohol use disorder across different stages of life. In addition to behavioral measures, we assess neurobiological and genetic factors to better understand individual risk profiles and developmntal trajectories. The overarching goal is to provide a foundation for personalized prevention and intervention strategies for substance use disorders. (Funded by the DFG under Germany's Excellence Strategy.)