Catarina Pinheiro Mota

University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Papers

Total Citations

429

H-Index

About

Catarina Pinheiro Mota is a leading researcher in developmental psychology, with a primary focus on adolescent mental health, family dynamics, and the digital transformation of psychological interventions. Her most influential work centers on understanding how children and young people engage with digital mental health tools. Her landmark 2020 systematic review, which has garnered over 425 citations, critically examined the modes of delivery, facilitators, and barriers to engaging youth in digital mental health interventions. This foundational contribution has shaped how researchers and clinicians design accessible, youth-friendly online support systems. Dr. Mota’s research consistently bridges developmental theory with practical, evidence-based solutions, exploring how family relationships, school contexts, and digital environments interact to influence young people’s well-being. Her work is highly cited for its relevance to the growing global need for scalable mental health care, particularly for vulnerable populations. By identifying key engagement factors, she has provided a roadmap for developing interventions that are not only effective but also appealing to digitally native generations. Dr. Mota’s contributions are essential reading for anyone interested in the future of adolescent mental health support in an increasingly digital world.