Alison Ludden

Biography

Alison Bryant Ludden, Professor of Psychology and Director of Montserrat, earned a B.A. in psychology from Colgate University, a M.A. in developmental psychology from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in education and psychology from the University of Michigan. Her research broadly focuses on developmental transitions and the psychosocial factors associated with adolescents' health behaviors. In particular, her work examines the contexts of and reasoning behind adolescents’ use of energy drinks, alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and caffeine. She also studies links between adolescents' health and their experiences with schooling, mentorship, and civic engagement.  She has been a member of the Holy Cross faculty since 2004 and has been directing Montserrat since 2019.

Published Work

Jenkins, I. A., Ludden, A. B., Sterk Barrett, M. C. (2023). Combining high-impact practices to facilitate hope for young adults transitioning into college.  Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal, 12(2), 32-46.
Kreitzberg, D., Golaszewski, N., Ludden, A. B., Loukas, A, & Pasch, K. E. (2019).  Academic achievement stress and energy drink consumption among middle school youth.  Journal of Caffeine and Adenosine Research, 9(1), 20 – 27.
Ludden, A. B., O’Brien#, E. M., & Pasch, K. E. (2017).  Beliefs, behaviors, and contexts of adolescent caffeine use: A focus group study.  Substance Use & Misuse, 52(9), 1196-1207.
Sullivan, S. C., Ludden, A. B., & Singleton, R. A., Jr. (2013). The impact of institutional mission on student volunteering. Journal of College Student Development, 54(5), 511-526.
Ludden, A. B. (2012).  Social goals, social status, and problem behavior among low-achieving and high-achieving adolescents from rural schools.  Journal of Research in Rural Education, 27(7), 1 - 19.
Ludden, A. B. (2012).  What if you caught them using?  Prospective teachers’ beliefs about responding to student substance use.  Journal of Drug Education, 42(1), 59 - 85.
Ludden, A. B. (2011). Engagement in school and community civic activities among rural adolescents.  Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40, 1254 - 1270.
Ludden, A. B. & Wolfson, A. R. (2010). Understanding adolescent caffeine use: Connecting use patterns with expectancies, reasons, and sleep.  Health Education & Behavior, 37, 330 - 342.
Milot#, A. S. & Ludden, A. B. (2009).  The effects of religion and gender on well-being, substance use, and academic engagement among rural adolescents, Youth and Society, 40, 311-335.
Ata#, R. N., Ludden, A. B., & Lally#, M. M. (2007). The effects of gender, and family, friend, and media influences on eating behaviors and body image during adolescence.  Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 36, 1024 – 1037.  
Ludden, A. B., & Eccles, J. S. (2007). Psychosocial, motivational, and contextual profiles of youth reporting different patterns of substance use during adolescence. Journal of Research on Adolescence,17(1), 51 – 88.

#Holy Cross student authors