Erika Westling, Ph.D.
Erika Westling, Research Scientist
Erika Westling’s research interests concern the intersection of contextual and individual factors that influence health behaviors in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and how to leverage technology in the development of effective, evidence-based prevention and intervention programs. Dr. Westling works with colleagues to develop and evaluate school-based digital curricula targeting a variety of health and social behaviors, including tobacco/nicotine and cannabis use, vaping, physical activity, dental health, and bullying/victimization.
Finally, Dr. Westling is a lead investigator on a nationwide longitudinal study evaluating the effects of receiving the Family Check-Up, a brief, strengths-based family intervention, on substance use and mental health outcomes from child age 2 to 24. At ORI, Dr. Westling is Co-Chair of the Institutional Review Board, facilitates institutional supports for Early Career Scientists, and Co-Chairs the Racial Equity Working Group.
Publications
Full CV
Current Projects
Development and Evaluation of a Multi-Media Training Program for Elementary School Bullying and Abuse Prevention: radKIDS 2.0
Development and Evaluation of School-based Digital Adolescent Oral Health Promotion Program for the Reduction of Oral Health Disparities
Development, Feasibility, and Acceptability of Aim to Play, a User-Friendly Digital Application for Teacher Skills Training and Physical Education Activities for 3-5 Grade Elementary Students
Development, Feasibility, and Acceptability of Aim to Play, a User-Friendly Digital Application for Teacher Skills Training and Physical Education Activities for K-2 Elementary Students.
Long-Term Effects of the Family Check-Up on Depression and Suicide Across Trials and Development
Parent-Child Interaction Dynamics Mediate Genetic and Prevention Effects on the Development of Adolescent Substance Use Disorders
Preventing Adult Mental Health Problems from Early Childhood in the Contexts of Genetic Susceptibility, Poverty, Racism, and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Preventing Adult Mental Health Problems from Early Childhood in the Contexts of Genetic Susceptibility, Poverty, Racism, and the COVID-19 Pandemic, Diversity Supplement
Recently Completed Projects
Preventing Substance Use in the Context of Poverty: Risk and Protection from Early Childhood to Early Adulthood
The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Substance Use, Mental Health, and Service Utilization in the Early Steps Multisite Longitudinal Sample