Robert Leeman 
Associate Professor | University of Florida
Gainesville, FL, UNITED STATES
Leeman’s research interests lie in examining difficulties with self-control and addictive behaviors.
Biography
Leeman’s research interests lie in examining difficulties with self-control and addictive behaviors, most notably those relating to alcohol use. Using human laboratory, survey and randomized controlled trial methods, Leeman tests novel interventions and attempts to learn more about risk factors for substance misuse, particularly in adolescent and young adult populations. His work investigates the implementation of technology-based addiction intervention mechanisms, such as smartphone and web-based applications.
Industry Expertise (2)
Education/Learning
Health and Wellness
Areas of Expertise (3)
Substance misuse
Addiction
Addictive Behaviors
Media Appearances (5)
Florida blames mothers when men batter them – then takes away their children
USA Today online
2020-12-16
“Certainly stress and trauma can be precipitants for a relapse,” said Dr. Robert Leeman, associate professor at University of Florida’s Department of Health Education and Behavior. But “resilience factors” such as family support and a desire to stay drug-free to regain custody could work in a mother’s favor, he said.
Her husband beat her. Caseworkers ‘pushed her to the edge.’
USA Today online
2020-12-16
“Certainly stress and trauma can be precipitants for a relapse,” said Dr. Robert Leeman, associate professor at University of Florida’s Department of Health Education and Behavior. But “resilience factors” such as family support and a desire to stay drug-free to regain custody could work in a mother’s favor, he said.
Tattoo addictions: do they exist?
WGFL online
2020-02-05
University of Florida psychology professor Dr. Robert Leeman says the obsessive properties can lead to a tattoo addiction, but it is not fully researched.
Dr. Robert F. Leeman awarded Mary F. Lane Endowed Professorship
UF Health online
2019-05-20
UF CARE Executive Committee Member Dr. Robert F. Leeman was awarded the Mary F. Lane Endowed Professorship at the Health and Human Performance (HHP) Spring Awards Banquet. Ms. Lane, who is a HHP / Department of Health Education & Behavior (HEB) Alumuna, with her husband Chip Lane, established the endowed professorship in Mary’s name to help recruit or retain an outstanding behavioral scientist who has a distinguished research program that addresses health behavior problems common among younger adults, adolescents or children and that contributes knowledge relevant to prevention and modification of health-related behavioral risk factors.
For College Students, Excessive Drinking And Sexually Risky Behavior Are Not The Norm
WUFT online
2016-12-20
Robert Leeman, Ph.D, an associate professor in the University of Florida’s Department of Health Education, described problem drinking on college campuses as a hot area in research. “It’s an area that investigators know that certain improvements are needed,” Leeman said.
Articles (5)
Negative Consequences of Alcohol Use among People Living with HIV
Substance Use & MisuseAmong people living with HIV (PLWH), alcohol use can have negative impacts beyond HIV-related outcomes. The objectives of this study are to identify the most common alcohol-related consequences among PLWH in Florida and describe factors associated with experiencing more alcohol-related consequences.
Wrist-worn alcohol biosensors: Applications and usability in behavioral research
AlcoholWrist-worn alcohol biosensor technology has developed rapidly in recent years. These devices are light, easy to wear, relatively inexpensive, and resemble commercial fitness trackers. As a result, they may be more suitable for a wide range of clinical and research applications. In this paper, we describe three pilot projects examining the associations between reported drinking behavior and transdermal alcohol concentration (TAC) derived from a new, wrist-worn alcohol biosensor (BACtrack Skyn) in diverse participant groups and settings.
The Digital Marshmallow Test (DMT) Diagnostic and Monitoring Mobile Health App for Impulsive Behavior: Development and Validation Study
JMIR mHealth and uHealthThe classic Marshmallow Test, where children were offered a choice between one small but immediate reward (eg, one marshmallow) or a larger reward (eg, two marshmallows) if they waited for a period of time, instigated a wealth of research on the relationships among impulsive responding, self-regulation, and clinical and life outcomes.
Reward drinking and naltrexone treatment response among young adult heavy drinkers
AddictionTheory-driven, exploratory study to: (i) identify a reward drinking phenotype in young adults; (ii) evaluate this phenotype as a predictor of naltrexone response; and (iii) examine mechanisms of naltrexone in reward drinkers.
Biological Underpinning of Behavioral Addictions and Management Implications
Textbook of Addiction TreatmentNeurobiological and clinical data indicate that maladaptive engagement in certain behaviors warrants consideration as “behavioral” or non-substance addictions. This chapter reviews existing neurobiological and genetic/family history evidence for behavioral addictions involving gambling, internet use, video-gaming, sex, eating, and shopping. At a neurochemical level, behavioral addictions may involve dysregulation of serotoninergic, dopaminergic, noradrenergic, and opioidergic systems.
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Languages (1)
- English
Affiliations (9)
- Psychology of Addictive Behaviors : Consulting Editor
- Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) : Member
- American Public Health Association (APHA) : Member
- International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism (ISBRA) : Member
- International Network on Brief Interventions for Alcohol & Other Drugs (INEBRIA) : Member
- Society of Addiction Psychology : Member
- International Society for Research on Impulsivity : Member
- Research Society on Alcoholism (RSA) : Member
- American Psychological Association (APA) : Member
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