Regina Van Den Eijnden

Dr. Regina van den Eijnden is an Associate Professor in the Social Sciences Department at Utrecht University, specializing in adolescent psychology, addictive behaviors, and media influences on youth development. With a background in social psychology, she earned her PhD in 1998 from the University of Groningen, focusing on developmental processes underlying substance use and behavioral addictions.

Her research explores the psychosocial mechanisms driving adolescent engagement in addictive behaviors, including alcohol consumption, smoking, compulsive internet use, social media dependency, and gaming addiction. She investigates why some adolescents develop problematic patterns of social media use, while others maintain healthy digital habits. Her studies assess the impact of excessive online engagement on mental health, examining its relationship with self-esteem, emotional regulation, and peer interactions.

Dr. van den Eijnden also examines media influences on adolescent psychosocial and sexual development, analyzing how digital exposure shapes identity formation, body image, and interpersonal relationships. Her work integrates child-rearing practices, family dynamics, and peer influences, providing a holistic perspective on youth behavior. She has contributed to cross-national studies, including the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) project, which assesses global trends in adolescent health and well-being.

Beyond her research, she is actively involved in academic mentorship and policy development, collaborating with educational institutions and public health organizations to refine intervention strategies for youth addiction prevention. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, advancing knowledge in digital addiction, adolescent psychology, and media effects.

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