Erika Westling, Ph.D., Research Scientist

Contact

Education & Training

B.A., 1996
Pomona College, Claremont, CA
Anthropology

M.A., 2002
University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Social Psychology

Ph.D., 2007
University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Social Psychology

Dr. Westling is an an early career scientist with experience working on several RO1 and R21 grant projects, as a Project Coordinator, Research Associate, and recently as an Associate Scientist and Co-Investigator (1 R01 DA031724; P.I.: M. J. Mason). Dr. Westling began working at ORI in 1996 as a research assistant in the areas of personality and health. She left in 2001 to pursue her Ph.D. in Social and Health Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and returned to ORI as a project coordinator while also finishing her dissertation (supported by a SAMHSA dissertation grant).

Current Projects

Preventing Adult Mental Health Problems from Early Childhood in the Context of Genetic Susceptibility, Poverty, Racism, and the COVID-19 Pandemic (Diversity Supplement)

PROJECT PERIOD

08/01/23 - 11/30/27

FUNDING AGENCY

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

CURRENT STATUS

Active and Not Recruiting

TEAM

Principal Investigator
Vincent Chirimwami, Erika Westling

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Development and Evaluation of a Multi-Media Training Program for Elementary School Bullying and Abuse Prevention

PROJECT PERIOD

07/19/23 - 08/15/23

FUNDING AGENCY

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

CURRENT STATUS

Active and Not Recruiting

TEAM

Principal Investigator
Erika Westling

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Development and Evaluation of School-based Digital Adolescent Oral Health Promotion Program for the Reduction of Oral Health Disparities

PROJECT PERIOD

07/01/23 - 06/30/30

FUNDING AGENCY

National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research

CURRENT STATUS

Active and Not Recruiting

TEAM

Principal Investigator
Edward Feil, Erika Westling

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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.

PROJECT PERIOD

07/06/23 - 04/30/24

FUNDING AGENCY

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

CURRENT STATUS

Active and Not Recruiting

TEAM

Principal Investigator
Erika Westling

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Preventing Adult Mental Health Problems from Early Childhood in the Contexts of Genetic Susceptibility, Poverty, Racism, and the COVID-19 Pandemic

PROJECT PERIOD

01/01/23 - 11/30/27

FUNDING AGENCY

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

CURRENT STATUS

Active and Not Recruiting

TEAM

Principal Investigator
Erika Westling

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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

PROJECT PERIOD

09/30/22 - 09/29/23

FUNDING AGENCY

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

CURRENT STATUS

Active and Recruiting

TEAM

Principal Investigator
Erika Westling

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Parent-Child Interaction Dynamics Mediate Genetic and Prevention Effects on the Development of Adolescent Substance Use Disorders

PROJECT PERIOD

04/15/22 - 02/28/26

FUNDING AGENCY

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

CURRENT STATUS

Active and Not Recruiting

TEAM

Principal Investigator
Erika Westling

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The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Substance Use, Mental Health, and Service Utilization in the Early Steps Multisite Longitudinal Sample

PROJECT PERIOD

09/01/20 - 08/31/22

FUNDING AGENCY

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

CURRENT STATUS

Active and Not Recruiting

TEAM

Principal Investigator
Erika Westling

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Long-Term Effects of the Family Check-Up on Depression and Suicide Across Trials and Development

PROJECT PERIOD

12/02/19 - 10/31/23

FUNDING AGENCY

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

CURRENT STATUS

Active and Not Recruiting

TEAM

Principal Investigator
Erika Westling

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Preventing Substance Use in the Context of Poverty: Risk and Protection from Early Childhood to Early Adulthood

PROJECT PERIOD

09/30/19 - 08/31/22

FUNDING AGENCY

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

CURRENT STATUS

Completed

TEAM

Principal Investigator
Erika Westling

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Early Family Prevention of Adolescent Alcohol Drug Use and Psychopathology

PROJECT PERIOD

05/01/15 - 04/30/20

FUNDING AGENCY

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

CURRENT STATUS

Completed

TEAM

Principal Investigator
Thomas Dishion, Erika Westling

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Perceptions, Initiation, and Use of E-cigarettes Among Middle School Students: A New Generation of Tobacco Users?

PROJECT PERIOD

09/20/16 - 08/31/19

FUNDING AGENCY

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

CURRENT STATUS

Completed

TEAM

Principal Investigator
Erika Westling

Co-Investigators
Herbert Severson

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Peer Influence and Selection Mechanisms Underlying Adolescent Problem Behaviors

PROJECT PERIOD

09/30/13 - 06/30/19

FUNDING AGENCY

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

CURRENT STATUS

Completed

TEAM

Principal Investigator
John Light, Julie Rusby

Co-Investigators
Erika Westling

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Social-Spatial Risk and Protective Mechanisms in Urban Adolescent Substance Use

PROJECT PERIOD

04/01/12 - 03/31/17

FUNDING AGENCY

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

CURRENT STATUS

Completed

TEAM

Principal Investigator
John Light

Co-Investigators
Julie Rusby, Erika Westling

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Publications

Westling, E., Rusby, J. C., Crowley, R., & Light, J. M., (2022). A longitudinal study of e-cigarette, cigarette, and marijuana use sequence in youth. Tobacco Insights, 15, 1-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1179173X221101813

Connell, A. M., Seidman, S., Ha, T., Stormshak, E., Westling, E., Wilson, M., & Shaw, D. (2022). Long-term effects of the family check-up on suicidality in childhood and adolescence: Integrative data analysis of three randomized trials. Prevention Science.

abstract or Full Text

Johnson-Shelton, D., Ricci, J., Westling, E., Peterson, M., & Rusby. J. C. (2022). Program evaluation of Healthy Moves: A community-based Trainer in Residence professional development program to support generalist teachers with physical education instruction. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 19, 125-131. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2021-0505

abstract or Full Text

Biglan, A., Van Ryzin, M., & Westling E. (2019). A public health framework for the regulation of marketing. Journal of Public Health Policy. 2019 Mar;40(1):66-75.

abstract or Full Text

Rusby, J. C., Westling, E., Crowley, R.,  Mills, K. L., & Light, J. M. (2019). Associations between marijuana use and anxious mood lability during adolescence. Addictive Behaviors, 92, 89-94.

Light, J. M., Mills, K. L., Rusby, J. C., & Westling, E. (2019). Friend selection and influence effects for first heavy drinking episode in adolescence. Journal of Study on Alcohol and Drugs, 80(3), 349–357.

Rusby, J. C., Mason, M., Gau, J. F., Westling, E., Light, J. M., Mennis, J., Zaharakis, N. M., & Flay, B. R. (2019). Relational victimization and peer affiliate prosocial behaviors in African American adolescents: Moderating effects of gender and antisocial behavior. Journal of Adolescence, 71, 91-98.

Rusby, J. C., Light, J. M., Crowley, R., & Westling, E. (2018). Influence of parent-youth relationship, parental monitoring, and parent substance use on adolescent substance use onset. Journal of Family Psychology, 32, 310-320.

Rusby, J. C., Westling, E., Crowley, R., & Light, J. M. (2018). Legalization of recreational marijuana and community sales policy in Oregon: Impact on adolescent willingness and intent to use, parent use, and adolescent use. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 32, 84-92. doi:10.1037/adb0000327

Zaharakis, N., Mason, M. J., Mennis, J., Light, J., Rusby, J. C.,Westling, E., . . . Way, T. (2018). School, friends, and substance use: Gender differences on the influence of attitudes toward school and close friend networks on cannabis involvement. Prevention Science, 19, 138-146. doi:10.1007/s11121-017-0816-y

abstract or Full Text

Mason, M. J., Zaharakis, N. M., Rusby, J. C., Westling, E., Light, J. M., Mennis, J., & Flay, B. R. (2017). A longitudinal study predicting adolescent tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use by behavioral characteristics of close friends. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. Advance online publication. doi:10.1037/adb0000299

abstract or Full Text

Westling, E., Rusby, J. C., Crowley, R., & Light, J. M. (2017). Electronic cigarette use by youth: Prevalence, correlates, and use trajectories from middle school to high school. Journal of Adolescent Health, 60, 660–666.

abstract or Full Text

Mason, M. J., Light, J. M., Mennis, J., Rusby, J. C., Westling, E., Crewe, S., . . . Flay, B. R. (2017). Neighborhood disorder, peer network health, and substance use among young urban adolescents. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 178, 208-214. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.05.005

abstract or Full Text

Mennis, J., Mason, M., Light, J., Rusby, J., Westling, E., Way, T., . . . Flay, B. (2016). Short communication: Does substance use moderate the association of neighborhood disadvantage with perceived stress and safety in the activity spaces of urban youth? Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 165, 288-292.

abstract or Full Text

Mason, M., Mennis, J., Light, J., Rusby, J., Westling, E., Crewe, S., . . . Zaharakis, N. (2016). 'Parents, peers, and places: Young urban adolescents’ microsystems and substance use involvement': Erratum. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25, 1712-1712. doi: 10.1007/s10826-016-0392-y

abstract or Full Text

Mason, M., Mennis, J., Light, J., Rusby, J., Westling, E., Crewe, S., Way, T., Flay, B., & Zaharakis, N. (2016) Parents, peers and places: Young urban adolescents’ microsystems and substance use involvement. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25, 1441–1450.

Andrews, J. A., Hampson, S. E., Severson, H. H., Westling, E., & Peterson, M. (2016). Perceptions and Use of E-cigarettes across Time among Emerging Adults. Tobacco Regulatory Science, 2, 70-81. doi: 10.18001/TRS.2.1.8

abstract or Full Text

Andrews, J. A., & Westling, E. (2016). Substance use in emerging adulthood. In J. J. Arnett, J. J. Arnett (Eds.) , The Oxford handbook of emerging adulthood (pp. 521-542). New York, NY, US: Oxford University Press.

abstract or Full Text

Mason, M., Mennis, J., Way, T., Light, J., Rusby, J., Westling, E., & ... McHenry, C. (2015). Young adolescents' perceived activity space risk, peer networks, and substance use. Health & Place, 34, 143-149. doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.04.005

abstract or Full Text

Rusby, J. C., Westling, E., Crowley, R., & Light, J. M. (2013). Psychosocial correlates of physical and sedentary activities of early adolescent youth. Health Education & Behavior, 41(1), 42-51. doi:10.1177/1090198113485753

abstract or Full Text

Rusby, J. C., Westling, E., Crowley, R., & Light, J. M. (2013). Concurrent and predictive associations between early adolescent perceptions of peer affiliates and mood states collected in real time via ecological momentary assessment methodology. Psychological Assessment, 25(1), 47–60. doi:10.1037/a0030393

abstract or Full Text

Westling, E., Andrews, J. A., & Peterson, M. (2012). Gender differences in pubertal timing, social competence, and cigarette use: A test of the early maturation hypothesis. Journal Of Adolescent Health, 51, 150-155.

abstract or Full Text

Stapleton, L., Schetter, C., Westling, E., Rini, C., Glynn, L. M., Hobel, C. J., & Sandman, C. A. (2012). Perceived partner support in pregnancy predicts lower maternal and infant distress. Journal Of Family Psychology, 26(3), 453-463. doi:10.1037/a0028332.

abstract or Full Text

Toobert, D. J., Strycker, L. A., Hampson, S. E., Westling, E., Christiansen, S. M., Hurley, T. G., & Hebert, J. R. (2011). Computerized portion-size estimation compared to multiple 24-hour dietary recalls for measurement of fat, fruit, and vegetable intake in overweight adults. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 111, 1578-1583.

abstract or Full Text

Westling, E. H. Hampson, S. E., Strycker, L.A., & Toobert, D. J. (2011). Use of Voter Registration Records to Recruit a Representative Sample, Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 34, (5), 321-329.

abstract or Full Text

Westling, E., Andrews, J. A., Hampson, S. E., & Peterson, M.A. (2008). Pubertal timing and substance use: The effects of gender, parental monitoring and deviant peers. Journal of Adolescent Health, 42, 555-563. PMCID: PMC2435092  Abstract

Westling, E., Garcia, K., & Mann, T. (2007). Discovery of meaning and adherence to medications in HIV-infected women. Journal of Health Psychology, 12(4), 627-635.

Mann, T., Tomiyama, J., Westling, E., Lew, A., Samuels, B., & Chatman, J. (2007). Medicare’s search for effective obesity treatments: Diets are not the answer. American Psychologist, 62(3), 220-233.

Experience

2012-Present
Associate Scientist
Oregon Research Institute, Eugene, OR

2009-2012
Research Associate
Oregon Research Institute, Eugene, OR

2005-2009
Research Assistant III/Project Coordinator
Oregon Research Institute, Eugene, OR

2005-2006
Graduate Research Assistant III
University of California, Los Angeles, CA

2002-2003
Graduate Research Assistant II
University of California, Los Angeles, CA

2002-2004
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of California, Los Angeles, CA

2001-2004
Assistant Editor
Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Electronic Newsletter

1996-2001
Research Assistant II
Oregon Research Institute, Eugene, OR