Dr. Tim Janssen is an Assistant Professor (Research) in the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working within the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies. His work as the Principal Investigator on NIAAA grants K01AA026335 and R21AA025716 investigates the development of alcohol use initiation and escalation in adolescents and young adults. Specifically, his research examines momentary changes in individual characteristics as well as context effects on the decision to start drinking and to keep drinking. Further, his work extends laboratory findings on executive functions and cognitive biases towards alcohol into the naturalistic environment as well, in the context of underage drinking. Dr. Janssen obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Amsterdam, and has previously worked at the Center for Alcohol and Addiction studies as a postdoctoral fellow. His interests include advancing the state of analytical techniques in order to improve the accuracy and reliability of empirical evidence. Notably, his work capitalizes on advances in structural equation modeling in order to accurately represent developmental changes in mechanisms predicting substance use initiation and escalation.
Why is this research important for public health? Underage alcohol use remains one of the strongest predictors of risk behavior, as well as short-term and long-term harms and negative consequences for health and careers among young adults. Understanding the (changes in) mechanisms underlying excessive alcohol use is a crucial step towards finding malleable targets for intervention.
