Johanna Gripenberg

Johanna Gripenberg

Affiliated to Research | Docent
Visiting address: Norra Stationsgatan 69, plan 7, 11364 Stockholm
Postal address: K8 Klinisk neurovetenskap, K8 CPF Gripenberg, 171 77 Stockholm

About me

  • I am an Associate professor and a research team leader at the Karolinska Institutet and the Director at STAD (Stockholm prevents
    alcohol and drug problems). STAD is a research and development unit within Stockholm Centre for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm County Council, and the Karolinska Institutet at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience.

Research

  • My research field is prevention science and my main focus is on the development, implementation and evaluation of substance use prevention programs in the local community. Multi-component interventions, community mobilization, and co-production of prevention programs are some of my special interests.

    Examples of ANDTG-interventions (alcohol, narcotics, doping, tobacco and gambling) developed are programs in the nightlife setting such as Responsible Beverage Service and Clubs against Drugs. Another example of a program developed is an alcohol prevention program for large sporting events in the Swedish Premier Soccer League. I have been the principal investigator for Sweden for several EU-projects such as the “STAD in Europe”-project.

Articles

All other publications

Grants

  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 January 2025 - 31 December 2027
    Research problem and specific questionsThe aim is to develop and evaluate a digital preventive intervention for young people (15-25 years) with caregivers who have problematic drinking. Research questions examine how the intervention is received, if it has effects on mental health and own substance use, and if it is cost-effective. The number of evaluated preventive interventions for this target group described in research literature is scarce.Data and methodThe project includes co-production of a fully automated digital intervention, pilot testing, a randomized controlled trial (RCT), and a cost-effectiveness analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative data are collected. The RCT includes at least 400 people. After a baseline assessment and randomization to the intervention or waitlist control group, follow-ups are collected after 1-, 3- and 12-months using web-based questionnaires. Scales assess depression, stress, anxiety, quality of life, alcohol and other substance use, and societal resource use. Data are analyzed descriptively and with methods for longitudinal data.Societal relevance and utilizationUp to 20% of Swedish children grow up with caregivers who have problematic drinking, and they are at increased risk of several negative outcomes like poor school performance, own risky substance use, and mental and physical ill-health. Society´s support efforts reach a negligible proportion of this high-risk group. Our project offers a readily accessible digital intervention that is evaluated in terms of effects and cost-effectiveness. As we already have established collaboration with key actors, there are good opportunities to disseminate and make the intervention available. The intervention can serve as the first step towards seeking help for these children and young people.Plan for project realizationThe intervention is developed in co-production with end-users and representatives from addiction clinics, social services, student healthcare centers, and Children’s rights. The intervention will include components like psychoeducation, films, exercises, questions, and feedback. A web bureau develops the technical interface. The pilot study focuses on study feasibility and the target group’s acceptance. An RCT is conducted with sufficient power to detect a difference in the study´s primary outcome – depression. Based on RCT data, a cost-effectiveness analysis is conducted. Funding covers costs for salaries, intervention development, and data collection.
  • Assignment to STAD to follow up on the work against open drug scenes in Stockholm County during the period 2022-2027
    Region Stockholm
    1 January 2023 - 31 December 2027
  • Process evaluation of Group Violence Intervention in four municipalities in Sweden.
    The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention
    1 January 2022 - 1 August 2024
  • Responsible Beverage Service- a 25-year follow-up
    Systembolagets alkoholforskningsråd
    1 January 2021 - 31 December 2022
  • Digitalization of the education program 'Responsible Alcohol Service'
    The Public Health Agency of Sweden
    1 January 2021 - 31 March 2021
  • Evaluation of crime prevention measures aimed at two open drug scenes.
    The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention
    1 January 2019 - 31 December 2021
  • Evaluation of the effect of compliance checks regarding tobacco and alcohol products
    The Public Health Agency of Sweden
    1 January 2018 - 31 December 2020
  • Alcohol consumption and related problems among staff at serving establishments.
    Systembolaget's Alcohol Research Council

Employments

  • Affiliated to Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 2023-2026

Degrees and Education

  • Docent, Public Health Science, Karolinska Institutet, 2023
  • Degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy, Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 2012

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