Bio Summary:
Dr. Vasileios Stavropoulos is an internationally recognized clinical psychologist and academic based in Melbourne, Australia. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Athens, Greece, and is currently an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at RMIT University. Dr. Stavropoulos is acclaimed for his research on the use and abuse of digital media and online games, receiving the Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award in 2021. He is a registered clinical psychologist, accredited supervisor, and a key figure in the revision of Internet Gaming Disorder in the DSM-5.
Education:
Ph.D. in Psychology: University of Athens, Greece (2008-2012)
Thesis Title: “The approach of Developmental Psychopathology on Internet Use and Abuse among High School Students.”
MSc in Clinical Psychology: University of Athens, Greece (2004-2008)
Dissertation Title: “Profile Differences between Addicts concerning Therapeutic Drop-out, Gender, and Psychopathology.”
BSc in Psychology: University of Athens, Greece (1997-2001)
Major Research: “Creativity and Vocational Choice.”
Specialization in Systemic and Family Psychotherapy: Research University Institute of Mental Health, in cooperation with the Psychiatric Clinic of the Eginition Hospital, Greece (2009-2011)
Employment:
Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology: RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia (March 2023- Present)
Senior Research Fellow: Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia (January 2021- March 2023)
Leader of the Cyber-psychology and Online Behaviour Research Group
DECRA Research Fellow of the Australian Research Council
Senior Lecturer of Psychology: College of Health and Biomedicine & Research Fellow for the Institute of Health and Sports, Victoria University, Australia (November 2019-January 2021)
Curriculum development
Unit Convenor of the Psychopathology and Clinical Diagnosis Unit in MSc Programs
Research supervision of Psychology Hons, MSC in Clinical Psychology, and PhD students
Coordination of the Masters of Professional Psychology
Research Focus:
Dr. Stavropoulos specializes in the use of developmental psychopathology and the risk and resilience framework to understand individual differences in adaptation and development, particularly in the context of digital media and gaming. His research centers on digital phenotyping for mental health, aiming to translate digital usage patterns into insights about mental health conditions.
Professional Journey:
Current Position: Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia (from March 2023)
Previous Positions: Senior Research Fellow at Victoria University, Melbourne; Senior Lecturer of Psychology; DECRA Research Fellow of the Australian Research Council.
Honors & Awards:
2022: Tall Poppy Award Victoria
2020: Victoria University Vice Chancellorās Citation for Excellence in Research ECR
2019: Recognition by Elsevier as the 12th most prolific author globally in the field of “Internet; Gaming; Internet Gaming Disorder; Adolescence” (2016-2019).
Publications:
Greek Peer-Reviewed Journals:
Title: Cross-addiction Prevention. Second stage prevention characteristics of Substance Abusers to the manifestation of sexual addictive behaviours.
Journal: Tetradia Psychiatrikis 114 (2011)
Title: The international therapeutic experience in the treatment of problematic internet use.
Journal: Tetradia Psychiatrikis 113 (2011)
Title: Supporting the proposal of creating a National Body to Evaluate Internet Addiction Disorder in Greece.
Journal: Tetradia Psychiatrikis 104 (2010)
Title: Critical Dimensions of the relationship between the player and the avatar in Massively Multiplayer Online Role P.C. Games.
Journal: Tetradia Psychiatrikis 104 (2010)
Book Chapters:
Title: Peters Et Al.āS (2012) Social Interaction Anxiety Scale and The Social Phobia Scale Short Forms: Support For A Bifactor Model And Measurement Invariance Across Gender.
Book: Advances in Psychology Research, Volume 139 in Nova Science Publishers. New York, USA (2019)
Title: The ERA of Digital Development in Frosso Motti Stefanidi: Children and Adolescent in a Changing World.
Book: Estia, Athens, Greece (2015)
Conference Top Presentations:
Symposium co-chairing on Profiling Gaming Disorder: Cross-addictive Comorbidities, Identification, Prevention, and Treatment at The 7th International Conference on Behavioral Addictions (2022, Nottingham, UK).
Unravelling the Web of Addictions: A Network Analysis Approach at The 7th International Conference on Behavioral Addictions (2022, Nottingham, UK).
Factor Structure of Ten Psychoactive Substance Addictions and Behavioral Addictions at The 7th International Conference on Behavioral Addictions (2022, Nottingham, UK).
Cross-Addiction Risk Typologies and Their Connection with COVID-19 Anxiety: A Latent Class Profiling Approach at The 7th International Conference on Behavioral Addictions (2022, Nottingham, UK).
Symposium co-chairing on Gaming Disorder: International Perspectives at The 6th International Conference on Behavioral Addictions (2019, Yokohama, Japan).
Publications Top Noted & Contributions:
Author of numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, notably focusing on cross-addiction prevention, internet use, and gaming.
Significant contributions to the field recognized by editorial positions in BMC Psychiatry, PLOS One, and Frontiers in Psychology.
Active participation in conferences, symposiums, and specialized task forces, including the American Psychiatric Association’s task force on Internet Gaming Disorder.
Internet use and problematic internet use: A systematic review of longitudinal research trends in adolescence and emergent adulthood
Authors: EL Anderson, E Steen, V Stavropoulos
Journal: International Journal of Adolescence and Youth
Year: 2017
Cited By: 742
Recognizing internet addiction: Prevalence and relationship to academic achievement in adolescents enrolled in urban and rural Greek high schools
Authors: V Stavropoulos, K Alexandraki, F Motti-Stefanidi
Journal: Journal of Adolescence
Year: 2013
Cited By: 293
Beyond āFacebook addictionā: The role of cognitive-related factors and psychiatric distress in social networking site addiction
Authors: HM Pontes, M Taylor, V Stavropoulos
Journal: Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
Year: 2018
Cited By: 179
Associations between attention deficit hyperactivity and internet gaming disorder symptoms: Is there consistency across types of symptoms, gender and countries?
Authors: V Stavropoulos, BLM Adams, CL Beard, E Dumble, S Trawley, R Gomez, …
Journal: Addictive Behaviors Reports
Year: 2019
Cited By: 150
MMORPG gaming and hostility predict Internet addiction symptoms in adolescents: An empirical multilevel longitudinal study
Authors: V Stavropoulos, DJ Kuss, MD Griffiths, P Wilson, F Motti-Stefanidi
Journal: Addictive Behaviors
Author Metrics:
Acknowledged as a highly prolific author in the field of “Internet; Gaming; Internet Gaming Disorder; Adolescence” by Elsevier.
Serving as an associate editor for reputable journals reflects recognition for expertise in the peer-review process.
Citations: 2,420
Documents: 122
h-index: 26
Research Timeline:
- Early career involvement with a Ph.D. focusing on developmental psychopathology and internet use.
- Progression to leadership roles, including the establishment of the Cyber-psychology and Online Behaviour Research Group.
- Recognition through awards, including the prestigious Tall Poppy Award in 2022.
Dr. Vasileios Stavropoulos stands as a distinguished figure in clinical psychology, known for his impactful research, editorial contributions, and active involvement in shaping the understanding of digital behavior and its psychological implications.
