Steven entered the clinical psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Fall 2012. His research interests center around alcohol use - including: resiliency factors, mindfulness, and competing expectancies. Steven received his Bachelor of Science degree from Wright State University where he majored in Psychology. After graduating with his Bachelors degree, Steven worked at Brown University’s Center for Alcohol and Addiction studies under Dr. Lorenzo Leggio whose research focus was to examine the neuropsychopharmacology and neuropsychoendocrinology of alcohol dependence.
His current area of interest is the exploration of the enhancement of protective behavioral strategies within binge drining populations. His master's thesis explored the effectiveness of a texting vs. control intervention on engaging college students in protective behavioral strategies. He is currently developing a program of research that will explore social-cognitive and reinforcement mechanisms that influence the utilization of protective behavioral strategies. He is also interested in context-specificity in binge drinking, particularly as it relates to game day drinking.
Publications
Edwards, S., Kenna, G.A., Swift, R.M., Leggio, L. (2011). Current and Promising Pharmacotherapies, and Novel Research Target Areas in the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence: A Review. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 17(14), 1323-32.
Kenna ,G.A., Hanna-Roder, N., Leggio, L., Zywiak, W.H., Clifford, J., Edwards, S., Kenna, J.A., Shoaff, J., Swift, R.M. (2012). Association of the 5-HTT Gene-Linked Promoter Region (5-HTTLPR) Polymorphism with Psychiatric Disorders: Review of Psychopathology and Pharmacotherapy. Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine. 5:19-35, 2012.
Leggio L, Zywiak WH, McGeary JE, Edwards S, Fricchione SR, Shoaff J, Addolorato G, Swift RM, Kenna GA (2013). A human laboratory pilot study with baclofen in alcoholic individuals. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 4: 784-791.
Edwards S, Kenna GA, Swift RM, Leggio L. (2013). Baclofen as a treatmneet for alcoholics and alcoholic smokers. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 37 (Suppl 2): 255A
Presentations
Edwards SM, English T, McGrath A & McChargue DE (2014, June). A randomized controlled trial of a text-messaging intervention promoting protective behavioral strategies during college football gamedays: Preliminary findings. Poster submitted to the Research Society on Alcoholism, Seattle, WA.
Oakland A, Edwards S & McChargue DE (2013, November). Polysubstance use moderates the relationship between social anxiety and length of treatment for alcohol use disorders for men in a residential substance use treatment program. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for the Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Nashville, TN
Swift, R.M., Leggio, L., Kenna, G.A., Tavares, T., Edwards, S., Kurtis, J., Zywiak, W. (June 2012). Alcohol Effects on Serum Oxytocin Level in Alcoholics. Poster to be presented at the 35th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism (RSA); San Francisco, CA, June 23-27, 2012; abstract in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 36 (Suppl. 2).
Leggio, L., Kenna, G., Zywiak, W., Edwards, S., Fricchione, S.R., Tavares, T., Shoaff, J., McGeary, J., Swift, R. (December, 2011). Baclofen as a Novel Pharmacotherapy for Alcohol Dependence: Preliminary Findings from a Human Laboratory Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Randomized Study. Poster presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP); Waikoloa Village, HI.
Edwards, S.M., Clifford, J., Fricchione, S.R., Tavares, T., Tidey, .J, Kenna, G.A., Zywiak, W.H., Swift, R.M., Leggio, L. (October, 2011). Are Smokers and Drinkers Happy? A Relationship between Subjective Happiness and Drinking and Smoking Levels. Poster presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the New England Psychological Association, Fairfield, Connecticut.
Edwards, S., Clifford, J., Kenna, G.A., Zywiak, W.H., Swift, R.M., Leggio, L. (June, 2011). Biobehavioral and psychoneuroendocrine mechanisms of baclofen and alcohol drinking – preliminary findings. Poster presented at the Research Society on Alcoholism annual meeting, Atlanta, GA.
Edwards, S., Clifford, J., Tavares, T., Kenna, G.A., Zywiak, W.H., Swift, R.M., Leggio, L. (April, 2011). Baclofen and Alcohol Drinking: A Pilot Study on the Biobehavioral Mechanisms. Poster presented at the Public Health Research Day Conference at Brown University, April 26, Providence, RI.
Edwards, S., Clifford, J., Kenna, G.A., Zywiak, W.H., Swift, R.M., Leggio, L. (March, 2011). A Pilot Study on the Biobehavioral Mechanisms of Baclofen and Alcohol Drinking. Poster presented at the Eastern Psychological Association annual meeting, Cambridge, MA.