Timothy Piehler
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Pronouns: he/him/his
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Associate Professor

Areas of interest
Prevention Science
Child and adolescent mental health
Adolescent substance use
Family-focused prevention programming
Quantitative methods
PhD, Clinical Psychology, University of Oregon
MS, Psychology, University of Oregon
AB, Psychology, Bowdoin College
My program of research is focused on developing and evaluating preventive interventions in the areas of youth mental health and substance use. My goal is to develop better targeted and tailored programming to address the unique needs of diverse youth and families. I am interested in two primary areas of youth and family response to prevention programming:
- How does prevention programming work? I study the mechanisms through which programming reduces risk for mental illness and substance use in youth.
- For whom does prevention programming work? My research focuses on better understanding variability in response to different prevention approaches. I study individual and family characteristics that predict who is most likely to benefit from different types of programming.
I have a recent focus on the use of mobile technology (i.e., mHealth) tools to augment prevention programming. I also have a strong interest in research methodology and apply advanced quantitative methods and innovative experimental and intervention designs in my research. For more information, visit the Piehler Lab website.
- Piehler, T., Zhang, J., Bloomquist, M., August, G. (2022). Parent and child risk profiles as predictors of response to a conduct problems preventive intervention. Prevention Science. 23, 1308 – 1320. Read the full article.
- Buchanan, G. J. R., Piehler, T. F., Berge, J., Hansen, A., & Stephens, K. A. (2022). Integrated behavioral health implementation patterns in primary care using the cross-model framework: A latent class analysis. Administration and Policy in Mental Health & Mental Health Services Research, 49(2), 312 – 325. Read the full article.
- Zhang, J., Zhang, N., Piehler, T. F., & Gewirtz, A. H. (2021). Emotion regulation difficulties in military fathers magnify their benefit from a parenting program. Prevention Science. Read the full article.
- Piehler, T. F., Lee, S-K., Nicholson, A., & Winters, K. C. (2020). The correspondence of parent-reported measures of adolescent substance use with adolescent-reported measures: A systematic review. Substance Abuse, 41(4), 437 – 450. Read the full article.
- Piehler, T. F., Distefano, R., Ausherbauer, K., Bloomquist, M., L., Almy, B., & August, G. J. (2019). Self-regulatory profiles and conduct problems in youth referred to juvenile diversion. Journal of Research on Adolescence. Read the full article.
- Chesmore, A. A., Piehler, T. F., & Gewirtz, A. H. (2018). PTSD as a moderator of a parenting intervention for military families. Journal of Family Psychology, 32(1), 123 – 133. Read the full article.
- August, G. J., Piehler, T. F., & Miller, F. G. (2018). Getting "SMART" about implementing multi-tiered systems of support to prevent school-based behavioral problems. Journal of School Psychology, 66, 85 – 96. Read the full article.
- Piehler, T. F., Ausherbauer, K., Gewirtz, A. H. & Gliske, K. (2018). Improving child peer adjustment in military families through parent training: The mediational role of parental locus of control. Journal of Early Adolescence, 38(9), 1322 – 1343. Read the full article.
- Holtrop, K., Piehler, T. F., Gewirtz, A. H., & August, G. J. (2017). Observed parenting in families exposed to homelessness: Child and parent characteristics as predictors of response to the Early Risers intervention. In M. E. Haskett (Ed.) Child and Family Well-Being and Homelessness: Integrating Research into Practice and Policy (pp. 27 – 48). New York, NY: Springer Publishing.
- Piehler, T. F., & Winters, K. C. (2017). Decision-making style and response to parental involvement in brief interventions for adolescent substance use. Journal of Family Psychology, 31(3), 336–346. Read the full article.
- Piehler, T. F., & Winters, K. C. (2015). Parental involvement in brief interventions for adolescent marijuana use. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 29, 512-521. Read the full article.
- August, G. J., Piehler, T. F., & Bloomquist, M. L. (2014). Being “SMART” about adolescent conduct problems prevention: Executing a SMART pilot study in a juvenile diversion agency. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. Read the full article.
- Piehler, T. F., Lee, S. S., Bloomquist, M. L., & August, G. J. (2014). Moderating effects of parental well-being on parenting efficacy outcomes by intervention delivery mode of the Early Risers Conduct Problems Prevention Program. Journal of Primary Prevention, 35, 321 – 337. Read the full article.
- Piehler, T. F., Bloomquist, M. L., August, G. J., Gewirtz, A. H., Lee, S. S., & Lee, W. S. C. (2014). Executive functioning as a mediator of conduct problems prevention in children of homeless families residing in temporary supportive housing: A parallel process latent growth modeling approach. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 5, 681–692. Read the full article.
What Students Can Expect From Me
Students can expect a dedicated and supportive mentor and teacher. As an instructor, I aim to create an engaging and interactive classroom. I strive to connect classroom content to “real world” applications and encourage critical thinking about each topic. As a graduate student mentor, I utilize a developmental model to help students develop competence in the research process and other areas of their professional development. Students have opportunities to be involved in all aspects of my research, from developing project ideas, engaging with community partners, collecting data from youth and families, to analyzing data and preparing manuscripts for publication.
Teaching and Learning
FSoS 2105: Methods in Family Research
FSoS 4104: Family Psychology
FSoS 5014: Quantitative Family Research Methods I
FSoS 5702/PREV 8002: Prevention Science Research Methodology
FSoS 8014: Quantitative Family Research Methods II
In the News
"FSoS associate professor awarded National Institutes of Health grant", FSoS News
"FSoS assistant professor awarded $2.7+ million National Institutes of Health grant", FSoS News
"FSoS staff and faculty honored with CEHD awards at Spring Assembly", FSoS News
"Piehler honored by Council of Graduate Students", FSoS News
"FSOS research project will explore impact of global pandemic on families", FSoS News
"FSoS Assistant Professor to lead initiative to support gender-nonconforming youth", FSoS News
"FSOS professor receives Jump Start project award", FSoS News
Circle of Power, CEHD Connect
"In his own words – professor expresses gratitude and shares impact", FSoS News
An ounce of prevention, with a focus on families, CEHD Connect
"Family Social Science assistant professor’s project awarded seed grant", FSoS News
"Piehler awarded Grant-in-Aid", FSoS News
Honors and Awards
College of Education and Human Development Distinguished Teaching Award, 2024
University of Minnesota Council of Graduate Students (COGS) Outstanding Advisor Award, 2020
Women's Philanthropic Leadership Circle Rising Star Faculty Award, 2019
New Career Excellence Award, College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota, 2018
Top 50 Reviewer, Family Relations, 2015, 2016
Child Intervention, Prevention, and Services (CHIPS) Fellowship, NIMH, 2011 – 2012
Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral National Research Service Award, NIDA, 2007 – 2008
Graduate School Research Award, University of Oregon, 2007