Tobias Elgan
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience
- Centre for Psychiatry Research at CNS
- Substance use prevention – Johanna Gripenberg's research group
About me
I'm an Associate Professor and researcher at STAD, a unit within the Centre for Psychiatry Research at the Karolinska Institutet. At STAD I'm involved in a number of different research projects within the field of prevention science, all with the core aim of translating science into practice. This work includes methods ranging from survey research, often resulting in needs assessments, to co-producing and evaluating preventive interventions in collaboration with stakeholders.
Research
One area of my research focuses on at-risk youth, including children with parents who have substance use problems, with particular emphasis on developing, evaluating, and implementing digital interventions for this target group. Another key area involves community-based preventive interventions for alcohol, drug, and doping use, which are co-produced, implemented, and evaluated across diverse settings, such as nightlife venues, sporting events, and training facilities.
Teaching
I'm involved in various teaching activities at the Karolinska Institutet. For instance, I regularly teach about prevention science in the course Beroendetillstånd, a continuing education course for professionals at dependency and psychiatry care and the social services, and at various courses at the Psychology program. Additionally, I supervise master's students both at Karolinska Institutet and other universities.
Articles
- Article: CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH. 2025;35(1):2506827Kallmen H; Berman AH; Jayaram-Lindstrom N; Hammarberg A; Elgan TH
- Article: JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH. 2025;77(2):222-228Feltmann K; Gustafsson N-K; Elgan TH; Gripenberg J
- Journal article: BMJ OPEN SPORT & EXERCISE MEDICINE. 2025;11(2):e002360Wall H; Gripenberg J; Elgan TH
- Article: NORDIC STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. 2024;41(5):522-542Feltmann K; Gustafsson N-KJ; Gripenberg J; Elgan TH; Kvillemo P
- Article: TOXICS. 2024;12(9):635Feltmann K; Hauspie B; Dirkx N; Elgan TH; Beck O; Van Havere T; Gripenberg J
- Article: FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH. 2024;12:1423708Elgan TH; Andreasson S; Gripenberg J
- Article: JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH. 2024;26:e52118Wall H; Hansson H; Zetterlind U; Kvillemo P; Elgan TH
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH. 2023;20(21):7002Baldus C; Elgán TH; Soyez V; Tønnesen H; Arnaud N; Csemy L; Thomasius R
- Journal article: FRONTIERS IN SPORTS AND ACTIVE LIVING. 2023;5:1251531Kvillemo P; Gripenberg J; Strandberg AK; Elgan TH
- Article: FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH. 2023;11:1178847Feltmann K; Gustafsson N-KJ; Elgan TH; Gripenberg J; Kvillemo P
- Article: FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH. 2023;10:1044601Kvillemo P; Nilsson A; Strandberg AK; Bjork K; Elgan TH; Gripenberg J
- Article: FRONTIERS IN SPORTS AND ACTIVE LIVING. 2023;5:1251531Kvillemo P; Gripenberg J; Strandberg AK; Elgán TH
- Article: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 2022;12(1):20283Feltmann K; Elgan TH; Boettcher M; Lierheimer S; Hermansson S; Beck O; Gripenberg J
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH. 2022;19(20):13161Feltmann K; Gripenberg J; Elgan TH
- Article: FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH. 2022;10:1017801Kvillemo P; Strandberg AKK; Elgan THH; Gripenberg J
- Article: FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH. 2022;10:867802Hiltunen L; Kvillemo P; Demetry Y; Gripenberg J; Elgan TH; Skoglund C
- Article: EUROPEAN ADDICTION RESEARCH. 2022;28(2):155-160Grabski M; Waldron J; Freeman TP; Mokrysz C; van Beek RJJ; van der Pol P; Hauspie B; Dirkx N; Schrooten J; Elgan TH; Feltman K; Benedetti E; Tomba GS; Fabi F; Molinaro S; Gripenberg J; van Havere T; van Laar M; Curran HV
- Article: NORDIC STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. 2021;38(6):573-585Feltmann K; Gripenberg J; Elgan TH
- Article: SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PREVENTION AND POLICY. 2021;16(1):83Kvillemo P; Hiltunen L; Demetry Y; Carlander A-K; Hansson T; Gripenberg J; Elgan TH; Einhorn K; Skoglund C
- Article: ADDICTION. 2021;116(10):2663-2672Elgan TH; Durbeej N; Holder HD; Gripenberg J
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH. 2021;18(10):5412Haugland SH; Elgan TH
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH. 2021;18(9):4789Feltmann K; Elgan TH; Strandberg AK; Kvillemo P; Jayaram-Lindstrom N; Grabski M; Waldron J; Freeman T; Curran HV; Gripenberg J
- Article: SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PREVENTION AND POLICY. 2021;16(1):37Feltmann K; Gripenberg J; Strandberg AK; Elgan TH; Kvillemo P
- Article: FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH. 2021;9:628748Kvillemo P; Feltmann K; Elgan TH; Gripenberg J
- Article: NORDIC JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. 2021;75(2):155-158Elgan TH; Berman AH; Jayaram-Lindstrom N; Hammarberg A; Jalling C; Kallmen H
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH. 2020;17(22):E8699-8699Feltmann K; Gripenberg J; Elgan TH
- Article: SUBSTANCE USE & MISUSE. 2020;55(13):2116-2128Strandberg AK; Elgan TH; Feltmann K; Jayaram Lindstrom N; Gripenberg J
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH. 2020;17(16):E5991-5991Duch M; Gervilla E; Juan M; Guimaraes C; Kefauver M; Elgan TH; Gripenberg J; Quigg Z
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY. 2020;82:102812Waldron J; Grabski M; Freeman TP; Mokrysz C; Hindocha C; Measham F; van Beek R; van der Pol P; Hauspie B; Dirkx N; Schrooten J; Elgan TH; Feltmann K; Benedetti E; Tomba GS; Fabi F; Molinaro S; Gripenberg J; van Havere T; van Laar M; Curran HV
- Article: BMJ OPEN. 2020;10(5):e034894Kvillemo P; Strandberg AK; Gripenberg J; Berman AH; Skoglund C; Elgan TH
- Article: NORDIC JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. 2020;74(1):69-72Elgan TH; Kallmen H
- Article: NORDIC JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. 2019;73(8):522-526Kallmen H; Berman AH; Elgan TH; Wennberg P
- Article: NORDIC JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. 2019;73(7):397-400Kallmen H; Elgan TH; Wennberg P; Berman AH
- Article: NORDIC STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. 2019;36(5):430-441Elgan TH; Durbeej N; Gripenberg J
- Article: SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PREVENTION AND POLICY. 2019;14(1):15Feltmann K; Elgan TH; Gripenberg J
- Article: NORDIC STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. 2019;36(1):51-60Strandberg AK; Elgan TH; Jagerskog M; Gripenberg J
- Article: EUROPEAN ADDICTION RESEARCH. 2019;25(2):68-77Kallmen H; Berman AH; Jayaram-Lindstrom N; Hammarberg A; Elgan TH
- Article: ALCOHOL-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH. 2018;42(2):444-452Elgan TH; Durbeej N; Holder HD; Gripenberg J
- Article: PLOS ONE. 2017;12(11):e0188284Durbeej N; Elgan TH; Jalling C; Gripenberg J
- Article: SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PREVENTION AND POLICY. 2017;12(1):23Jalling C; Elgan TH; Tengstrom A; Birgegard A
- Article: SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PREVENTION AND POLICY. 2017;12(1):21Skoglund C; Durbeej N; Elgan TH; Gripenberg J
- Article: NORDIC STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. 2017;34(2):119-130Kallmen H; Hed A; Elgan TH
- Article: BMC PUBLIC HEALTH. 2016;16(1):1011Elgan TH; Kartengren N; Strandberg AK; Ingemarson M; Hansson H; Zetterlind U; Gripenberg J
- Article: BMC PUBLIC HEALTH. 2016;16:471Durbeej N; Elgan TH; Jalling C; Gripenberg J
- Article: JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH. 2016;18(5):e103Arnaud N; Baldus C; Elgan TH; De Paepe N; Tonnesen H; Csemy L; Thomasius R
- Article: SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 2016;44(1):14-17Raninen J; Elgan TH; Sundin E; Ramstedt M
- Journal article: SUCHT. 2015;61(6):377-387Arnaud N; Baldus C; Elgán TH; Tønnesen H; Paepe ND; Csemy L; Thomasius R
- Article: BMC PUBLIC HEALTH. 2014;14:76Skerfving A; Johansson F; Elgan TH
- Article: SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 2013;41(7):680-683Elgan TH; Leifman H
- Article: SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PREVENTION AND POLICY. 2012;7:7Gripenberg-Abdon J; Elgan TH; Wallin E; Shaafati M; Beck O; Andreasson S
- Article: BMC PUBLIC HEALTH. 2012;12:35Elgan TH; Hansson H; Zetterlind U; Kartengren N; Leifman H
- Article: HEALTH POLICY. 2011;101(1):29-36Elgan TH; Leifman H
- Article: BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL. 2010;430(3):487-495Elgan TH; Planson A-G; Beckwith J; Guentert P; Berndt KD
- Article: JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 2008;283(47):32839-32847Elgan TH; Berndt KD
- Article: PROTEINS-STRUCTURE FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS. 2007;68(4):879-892Sagemark J; Elgan TH; Buerglin TR; Johansson C; Holmgren A; Berndt KD
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All other publications
- Report: STAD-RAPPORT. 2024Utvecklingen av skjutningar och skjutvapenvåld i Järva efter ökad samverkan: En effektutvärdering av arbetsmodellen TrefasWall H; Gustafsson N-K; Elgan T; Feltmann K; Kvillemo P; Gripenberg J
- Report: STAD RAPPORT. 2023Processutvärdering av TREFAS – förstärkt samverkan. SlutrapportKvillemo P; Wall H; Feltmann K; Gustafsson N-K; Elgan T; Gripenberg J
- Conference publication: JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH. 2020;74:A45Elgan TH; Durbeej N; Gripenberg J
- Doctoral thesis: 2008Elgán T
Grants
- Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare1 January 2025 - 31 December 2027Research 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.
- Staff at licensed premises and their action against narcoticsThe Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention1 January 2023 - 31 May 2023
- Assignment to STAD to follow up on the work against open drug scenes in Stockholm County during the period 2022-2027Region Stockholm1 January 2023 - 31 December 2027
- Process evaluation of Group Violence Intervention (GVI) in Järfälla, Upplands-Bro, Huddinge, and UppsalaThe Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention1 August 2022 - 31 May 2024
- Elite football players, problem gambling, and prevention strategiesSvenska Spel's Independent Research Council1 January 2022 - 31 December 2024
- Evaluation of crime prevention targeting open drug scenesRegion Stockholm1 January 2022 - 31 December 2027
- Process evaluation of Group Violence Intervention in four municipalities in Sweden.The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention1 January 2022 - 1 August 2024
- Mapping the drug situation in the nightlife in seven countiesÖstergötland County Council1 December 2021 - 31 December 2022
- Development, implementation, and evaluation of a digital prevention intervention targeting children who have parents with substance use problemsInnovation Fund of Region Stockholm1 January 2021 - 31 December 2022
- Follow-up of a digital doping training for police officersThe Public Health Agency of Sweden1 January 2021 - 31 December 2021
- Follow-up of digital tailoring of the Responsible Beverage Service trainingThe Public Health Agency of Sweden1 January 2021 - 31 December 2021
- Follow-up of two web-based trainings in Responsible Beverage Service and Clubs against DrugsThe Public Health Agency of Sweden1 January 2021 - 31 December 2021
- Responsible Beverage Service - A 25-year follow-upThe Research Council of the Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly1 January 2021 - 31 December 2022
- Development of alcohol prevention at student health centersThe Research Council of the Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly1 January 2021 - 31 December 2022
- Responsible Beverage Service- a 25-year follow-upSystembolagets alkoholforskningsråd1 January 2021 - 31 December 2022
- Digitalization of the education program 'Responsible Alcohol Service'The Public Health Agency of Sweden1 January 2021 - 31 March 2021
- Effects of a web-based alcohol prevention program for youthThe Research Council of the Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly1 January 2019 - 31 December 2021
- Grubbel - A randomized controlled trial of a web-based interventionThe Research Council of the Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly1 January 2019 - 31 December 2021
- Open drug scenes - Evaluation of the work by the Police forceThe Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention1 January 2019 - 31 December 2021
- Evaluation of crime prevention measures aimed at two open drug scenes.The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention1 January 2019 - 31 December 2021
- Effect evaluation of the compliance checks method of alcohol and tobaccoThe Public Health Agency of Sweden1 August 2018 - 31 December 2020
- Evaluation of the effect of compliance checks regarding tobacco and alcohol productsThe Public Health Agency of Sweden1 January 2018 - 31 December 2020
- Evaluation of tobacco compliance checksStockholm County Council1 December 2016 - 31 March 2020
- STAD in EuropeEuropean Commission Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency1 January 2016 - 31 December 2018
- Psychometric evaluation of AUDIT, CRAFF, ASSIST, and CAST-6 among 15-18 year oldsThe Research Council of the Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly1 January 2015 - 31 December 2017
- Development and evaluation of a web-based support-group intervention for youth who have parents with substance use problemsThe Public Health Agency of Sweden1 January 2014 - 31 December 2016
- Effect evaluation of web-ICAIP: A web-based self-help program for adolescents in families with substance use problemsThe Public Health Agency of Sweden1 January 2013 - 31 March 2014
- WISEteens - A web-based screening and brief intervention for adolescents at riskEuropean Commission Directorate-General Justice, Freedom and Security1 January 2011 - 31 December 2013
- Evaluation of the project "Children of substance abusing parents"The Public Health Agency of Sweden1 January 2010 - 31 December 2012
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Employments
- Researcher, Prevention science, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Regio, STAD, Centre for Psychiatry Research, 2009-
- Affiliated to Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 2023-2026
- Affiliated to Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 2023-2026
Degrees and Education
- Associate professor in Public Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 2023
- Docent, Public Health Science, Karolinska Institutet, 2023
- Degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 2009
- Master's degree, Chemistry, Södertörn University, 2001
- Associate degree, Math science, North Country Community College, 1996
Other expert reviewer/evaluation assignment
- Evaluator of research applications in national competition, Board Member of the Research Council of the Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly, The Research Council of the Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly, 2018-2023
- Other evaluation assignments, Reviewer of scientific papers, National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen), 2011-2011
- Other evaluation assignments, Reviewer of scientific papers, National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen), 2010-2010