On Friday, April 4, 2025, Senior Assistant Selma Tvrtković-Hasandić, from the Psychology (PSY) program at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), successfully defended her doctoral dissertation titled "Investigating Internet Gaming Disorder Among the Student Population in BiH: The Effectiveness of a Virtual Reality-Based Mindfulness Intervention and Ecological Momentary Assessment".
The Members of the Defense Committee were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pınar Ünal Aydın (IUS - mentor); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Orkun Aydın (IUS - member); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selvira Draganović (IUS - member); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fikret P. Çökmüş (İzmir Tınaztepe University – member; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Öznur Bilaç (Celal Bayar University – member) and Asst. Prof. Dr. Mersiha Jusić (IUS – substitute member).
Her dissertation focused on the issue of pathological video game use. Since Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) was included in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) under conditions that call for further study, mental health professionals have explored both traditional and innovative treatment approaches. Among the emerging methods, Virtual Reality (VR) has attracted increasing interest from both researchers and practitioners. While most interventions combine technological tools with classical therapies, VR has proven to be especially effective in addressing IGD symptoms.
With the successful defense of her dissertation, Ms. Tvrtković-Hasandić has earned the title of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology. The IUS community extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Selma Tvrtković-Hasandić and wishes her continued success and academic excellence in the years ahead.
