What constitutes abnormal behavior? How do our family, friends, biological makeup, society, and culture impact the way we think and act? What treatments or interventions are most effective in preventing and/or ameliorating psychological problems? These are just a few of the issues Professor Holt explores with students in her courses and research.

Professor Holt received her B.A. in Psychology from Trinity College and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers University. While at Trinity and Rutgers, she was involved in the design and evaluation of community-based prevention programming. At Rutgers, she obtained specialized training in addictions treatment and research. She continued her work in addictions and community research as a predoctoral fellow at the Yale University School of Medicine and as a postdoctoral resident with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Newington, CT.

As a graduate of Trinity, she strongly believes in the importance of a liberal arts education; she values the way in which this type of education fosters creative and critical thinking skills, encourages student-faculty collaboration, and provides students with opportunities for active learning both in the classroom and community. She views the surrounding Hartford area as an especially good setting in which students can explore their questions and curiosities, apply knowledge they have gained in the classroom, and make meaningful contributions to their community.

Holt research lab website

• Holt, L.J., Ginley, M.K., Pingeon, C., & Finn, R. (in press). Primed for positive perceptions? Applying the acquired preparedness model to explain college students' e-cigarette use and dependence. Journal of American College Health. 
• Holt, L.J., Langdon, S., & Finn, R. (2024). Who persists and who desists? A prospective study of prescription stimulant misuse in college graduates. Journal of Drug Issues, 54(2), 151-166.
• Mitchell, H.G., Kromash, R., Holt, L. J., & Ginley, M. K. (2023). Concurrent gaming disorder/internet gaming disorder and electronic nicotine delivery system dependency in emerging adults.  International Journal on Mental Health and Addiction, 21, 1082-1091.
• Dash, G.F., Holt, L.J., Kenyon, E.A., Carter, E., Ho, D. Hudson, K.A., & Feldstein Ewing, S.W. (2022). Detection of vaping, cannabis use, and hazardous opioid use among adolescents. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 6(11), 820-828.
• Holt, L.J., Schepis, T.S., Looby, A., Marsh, E., Marut, P., & Feinn, R. (2020). How to say "no" most effectively: Evaluating resistance strategies for prescription stimulant diversion to inform preventive interventions. Journal of American College Health, 68(8), 872-882.
• Holt, L.J., Mattanah, J.F., & Long, M.W. (2018). Change in parental and peer relationship quality during emerging adulthood. Implications for academic, social, and emotional functioning. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 35(5), 743-769.
• Holt, L.J., Marut, P.N., & Schepis, T.S. (2018). Pursued for their prescription: Exposure to compliance-gaining strategies predicts stimulant diversion in emerging adults. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 32(1), 122-131.
• Holt, L.J., Mattanah, J.F., Schmidt, C.K., Daks, J.S., Brophy, E.N., Minnaar, P.Y., & Rorer, K.S. (2016). Effects of relationship education on emerging adults’ relationship beliefs and behaviors. Personal Relationships, 23, 723-741.
• Holt, L.J., Armeli, S., Tennen, H., Austad, C.S., Raskin, S.A., Fallahi, C.R., Wood, R., Rosen, R.I., Ginley, M.K., & Pearlson, G.D. (2013). A person-centered approach to understanding negative reinforcement drinking among first-year college students. Addictive Behaviors, 38, 2937-2944.
• Holt, L.J., Litt, M.D., & Cooney, N.L. (2012). Prospective analysis of early lapse to drinking and smoking among individuals in concurrent alcohol and tobacco treatment. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 26, 561-572.

•  National Institutes of Health / National Institute on Drug Abuse R34 Clinical Trial Planning Grant, 2020-2024
•  Charles A. Dana Research Professorship, 2021-2023
•  Center for Teaching and Learning Fellow, 2013-2014
  
•  Arthur H. Hughes Award for Teaching Achievement, 2011
•  Community Learning Course Development Grant, Trinity College, 2008, 2013
•  National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Predoctoral Fellow, 2003-2006