Dr. Thabo van Woudenberg is an academic researcher interested in social (network) influences on positive behaviors in young people. For example, he is interested in how the behavior of peers shape behaviors related to health, well-being or environment. In his research, he uses social network modeling and mixed-effect models to study how behaviors spread within youth’s social networks and how influential individuals can help peers in obtaining and preserving a positive lifestyle.
Currently, Thabo is a post-doc research and coordinator of the NWO Vici financed SocialMovez-project at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The SocialMovez-project investigates how health campaigns for young people can be spread more effectively through peer influencers in online social networks. Using innovative technologies in the field of data analysis, this research demonstrates that one can optimize online (health) campaigns without compromising the privacy of young people. More specifically, Thabo investigates in what way health related behaviors can spread online, and which individuals are important to target in online interventions.
Before this position, Thabo investigated the role of (offline) social networks in classrooms in promoting physical activity of adolescents and was part of the MyMovez research team. His work is combined in the dissertation, which he defended successfully (with honors/cum laude) in January 2020.
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PhD in Behavioural Science, 2020
Radboud University, the Netherlands
Msc in Psychology, 2014
Radboud University, the Netherlands
BSc in Communication Science, 2012
Radboud University, the Netherlands
Past and present projects in which I am involved
The five most recent publications
The aim of this study was to test difference in social network interventions between Aruba and the Netherlands
The aim of this study was to test difference in active and passive parental consent
The aim of this study was to explore the contents and linguistic styles that adolescents use in their dietary communications on social media.
The aim of this study was to test differences in physical distancing between emerging adults and adults, and test the role of using social media for COVID-19 news and information.
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