Roanoke student researches cellphone addiction, receives national grant

By Allison Shannon '15

This past summer, Sara Dorrance '15, spent two months on a research project funded by Psi Chi, a national psychology honor society. Her research continues today.

After she learned that 80 percent of the world's population cannot go a day without using their cellphones, Dorrance said she became interested in studying the impact that cellphone usage has on a person's physical and psychological well-being.

Dorrance received $5,000 to pursue her research this past summer, along with her academic advisor, Dr. Denise Friedman, a psychology professor at Roanoke College.

During the summer, Dorrance and Friedman conducted the research on Roanoke's campus, with a focus on cellphone addiction and how interventions can reduce dependence on cellphones. The goal was to examine whether short-term interventions from technology, such as time away, impact a person's physical and psychological well-being. 

Dorrance is continuing to research this topic. After analyzing her data, Dorance said she wants to publish her research findings.

Some of her work has already been published in Impulse, an undergraduate neuroscience journal. Dorrance is an associate editor for Impulse, and she reviews article submissions and works with a faculty advisor on its publication. 

After Roanoke, Dorrance said she plans to pursue graduate school and study child or family grief or family and couples therapy. 

Dorrance, a native of Baltimore, is the vice president of Psi Chi, a member of the Roanoke College women's soccer team, and a member of the Roanoke College chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a premedical honor society. She is majoring in psychology with a concentration in neuroscience and human development.