Gabriel Joey Merrin

Dr. Gabriel "Joey" Merrin is an assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Texas Tech University. Dr. Merrin's primary area of research examines the development of aggression, substance use, and other problem behaviors across adolescence and in the transition to young adulthood. Dr. Merrin's work seeks to influence the development of intervention and prevention efforts with the goal of improving the school experience for all students.

Current Work:

Informed by social-ecological models of development, Dr. Merrin's program of research seeks to clarify the developmental pathways underlying the emergence of substance use, aggression, problem behavior, and victimization in the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. Dr. Merrin is particularly interested in the development of these behaviors among various minoritized and oppressed groups (e.g., race, LGBT, disability). Broadly, the aim of Dr. Merrin's work examines the following questions: (1) what are the long-term processes that support and mitigate the development of substance use, aggression, problem behavior, and victimization; (2) when and for whom do these processes differ; (3) to what extent do these processes interact to influence development; and (4) how can these findings be leveraged to influence prevention and intervention efforts?

Research Area Keyword(s):

Aggression, substance use, problem behavior