Aleksander Hagen Erga | University of Stavanger

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Department

Faculty of Social Sciences

Department of psychology

About me

I am a the Head of Department of Psychology, and professor in psychology. I serve as the research leader at the Center for Drug and Alcohol Research (KORFOR) and as a researcher at the Center for Movement Disorders, both affiliated with Stavanger University Hospital.

I have a clinical background as a specialist psychologist in substance abuse and addiction psychology, complemented by further training in cognitive behavioral therapy. My research also focuses on clinical interventions derived from these models.

My research

My research primarily investigates clinical conditions, with a particular emphasis on cognition and mental health in relation to various brain disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and substance use disorders. I adopt a clinical focus, primarily utilizing quantitative methods for research, including cohort studies, longitudinal data analysis, and clincal trials. I also have project management experience overseeing studies with diverse designs.

I mainly supervise PhD students but am also open to mentoring master's students.

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Publications

Vitenskapelige publikasjoner

Aleksander Hagen Erga; Jens Hetland; Kristoffer Høiland; Elise Constance Grude Fodstad; Sandra Drevsjø; Kirsten Johanne Braatveit (2026) Utredning av kognitiv fungering i tverrfaglig spesialisert rusbehandling. I: Tidsskrift for Norsk psykologforening (Psykologtidsskriftet). ISSN 0332-6470. Volum 63. s.172-172. DOI: 10.52734/mdgw7844

Fatemeh Chalabianloo; Lars T. Fadnes; Jon Mordal; Olav Spigset; Else-Marie Løberg; Anne Halmøy; Torgeir Gilje Lid; Christina Dahl Andersen; Jan Tore Daltveit; Jørg Assmus; Aleksander Hagen Erga; Kristin Klemmetsby Solli; John Fredrik Askjer; Minna Annikki Kuoppamäki Hansen; Christian Ohldieck; Nadine Ezard; Nicholas Lintzeris; Kjell Arne Johansson (2025) Impact of dextroamphetamine substitution on the use of illicit amphetamines in adults with amphetamine dependence: a study protocol for the multicentre double blind randomised controlled trial ATLAS4Dependence. I: BMJ Open. Online ISSN 2044-6055. Volum 15. s.095383-095383. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-095383

Fredrik Dreyer Moe; Tore Tjora; Christian Moltu; James R. McKay; Egon Hagen; Aleksander Hagen Erga; Jone Ravndal Bjørnestad (2025) Changes in the trajectories of drug-free friendships and substance use among a cohort of individuals with multiple substance use disorders. I: Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (NAD). ISSN 1455-0725. Volum 42. s.257-273. DOI: 10.1177/14550725251332929

Fredrik Dreyer Moe; Aleksander Hagen Erga; Jone Ravndal Bjørnestad; Ulrich Dettweiler (2024) The interdependence of substance use, satisfaction with life, and psychological distress: a dynamic structural equation model analysis. I: Frontiers in Psychiatry. Online ISSN 1664-0640. Volum 15. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1288551

Elise Constance Grude Fodstad; Aleksander Hagen Erga; Ståle Pallesen; Anastasia Ushakova; Eilin K. Erevik (2024) Personality traits as predictors of recovery among patients with substance use disorder. I: Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment. ISSN 2949-8767. Volum 162. DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209360

Jens Hetland; Astri J. Lundervold; Aleksander Hagen Erga (2024) Cognitive impairment as a predictor of long-term psychological distress in patients with polysubstance use disorders: a prospective longitudinal cohort study. I: BMC Psychiatry. Online ISSN 1471-244X. Volum 24. DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05600-x

Aleksander Hagen Erga; Anastasia Ushakova; Maria Elstad; Elise Constance Grude Fodstad; Anna Belfrage (2024) The Relationship Between Self-Reported Childhood Maltreatment and Mental Health in Substance Use Disorders: A 6-Year Retrospective Analysis. I: Journal of Dual Diagnosis (JDD). ISSN 1550-4263. Volum 20. s.210-222. DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2024.2338799

Jone Ravndal Bjørnestad; Christian Moltu; Aleksander Hagen Erga; Fredrik Dreyer Moe (2023) Some psychological and social factors in relapse after long-term abstinence in substance use disorder. Universitetet i Stavanger. ISBN 9788284391656.

Jens Hetland; Egon Hagen; Astri J. Lundervold; Aleksander Hagen Erga (2023) Performance on Cognitive Screening Tests and Long-Term Substance Use Outcomes in Patients with Polysubstance Use Disorder. I: European Addiction Research. ISSN 1022-6877. Volum 29. DOI: 10.1159/000528921

Linn Silje Wathne Oftedal; Johannes Lange; Kenn Freddy Pedersen; Aleksander Hagen Erga; Ingvild Dalen; Ole-Bjørn Tysnes; Guido Werner Alves; Jodi Maple-Grødem (2023) Early GCase activity is a predictor of long-term cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease. I: Translational Neurodegeneration. ISSN 2096-6466. Volum 12. DOI: 10.1186/s40035-023-00373-x

Aleksander Hagen Erga; Guido Werner Alves; Albert F.G. Leentjens (2023) The ePark study protocol: A decentralized trial of individual video-assisted cognitive behavioural therapy for depressive disorder in Parkinson's disease. I: Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications. Online ISSN 2451-8654. Volum 32. DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2023.101080

Aleksander Hagen Erga; Sverre Martin Nesvåg; Ingrid Elin Dahlberg; James R. McKay (2022) Persistent sleep problems among people in recovery from substance use disorders: a mixed methods study. I: Addiction Research and Theory. ISSN 1606-6359. s.1-9. DOI: 10.1080/16066359.2022.2074406

Anna Belfrage; Anne-Lill Mjølhus Njå; Elise Constance Grude Fodstad; Siri Lunde; Janne Årstad; Torgeir Gilje Lid; Aleksander Hagen Erga (2022) Traumatic experiences and PTSD symptoms in substance use disorder: A comparison of recovered versus current users. I: Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (NAD). ISSN 1455-0725. Volum 40. s.61-75. DOI: 10.1177/14550725221122222

Elise Constance Grude Fodstad; Anastasia Ushakova; Ståle Pallesen; Egon Hagen; Aleksander Hagen Erga; Eilin K. Erevik (2022) Personality and substance use disorder: Characteristics as measured by NEO-personality inventory–revised. I: Frontiers in Psychology. Online ISSN 1664-1078. Volum 13. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.982763

Aleksander Hagen Erga; Jodi Maple-Grødem; Guido Werner Alves (2022) Cannabis use in Parkinson’s disease—A nationwide online survey study. I: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. ISSN 0001-6314. Volum 145. s.692-697. DOI: 10.1111/ane.13602

Thomas Solgaard Svendsen; Marius Veseth; James R. McKay; Jone Ravndal Bjørnestad; Aleksander Hagen Erga; Christian Moltu; Sverre Nesvåg (2021) Securing Participant Engagement in Longitudinal Substance Use Disorder Recovery Research: A Qualitative Exploration of Key Retention Factors. I: Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health. ISSN 2198-9834. Volum 8. s.247-259. DOI: 10.1007/s40737-021-00222-y

Jens Hetland; Kirsten Braatveit; Egon Hagen; Astri J. Lundervold; Aleksander H. Erga (2021) Prevalence and Characteristics of Borderline Intellectual Functioning in a Cohort of Patients With Polysubstance Use Disorder. I: Frontiers in Psychiatry. Online ISSN 1664-0640. Volum 12. s.1-9. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.651028

Aleksander Hagen Erga; Guido Werner Alves; Ole-Bjørn Tysnes; Kenn Freddy Pedersen (2020) Impulsive and compulsive behaviors in Parkinson's disease: Impact on quality of and satisfaction with life, and caregiver burden. I: Parkinsonism & Related Disorders. ISSN 1353-8020. Volum 78. s.27-30. DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2020.07.007

Aleksander Hagen Erga; Audhild Hønsi; Liss Gøril Anda-Ågotnes; Sverre Martin Nesvåg; Morten Hesse; Egon Hagen (2020) Trajectories of psychological distress during recovery from polysubstance use disorder. I: Addiction Research and Theory. ISSN 1606-6359. Volum 29. s.1-8. DOI: 10.1080/16066359.2020.1730822

Egon Hagen; Mikael Julius Sømhovd; Morten Hesse; Espen Kristian Arnevik; Aleksander Hagen Erga (2019) Measuring cognitive impairment in young adults with polysubstance use disorder with MoCA or BRIEF-A – The significance of psychiatric symptoms. I: Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. ISSN 0740-5472. Volum 97. s.21-27. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2018.11.010

Aleksander Hagen Erga; Guido Werner Alves; Ole-Bjørn Tysnes; Kenn Freddy Pedersen (2019) Evolution of impulsive–compulsive behaviors and cognition in Parkinson’s disease. I: Journal of Neurology. ISSN 0340-5354. Volum 267. s.259-266. DOI: 10.1007/s00415-019-09584-7

Jone Ravndal Bjørnestad; Thomas Solgård Svendsen; Tale Ekeroth Slyngstad; Aleksander Hagen Erga; James R. McKay; Sverre Martin Nesvåg; Alexander Wågan Skålevik; Marius Veseth; Christian Moltu (2019) “A life more ordinary” Processes of 5-year recovery from substance abuse. Experiences of 30 recovered service users. I: Frontiers in Psychiatry. Online ISSN 1664-0640. Volum 10. s.1-9. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00689

Aleksander Hagen Erga; Michaela D Gjerstad; Guido Werner Alves; Kenn Freddy Pedersen (2018) Psykologisk behandling av ikke-motoriske symptomer ved parkinsons sykdom. I: Tidsskrift for Norsk psykologforening (Psykologtidsskriftet). ISSN 0332-6470. Volum 55. s.1108-1116.

Aleksander Hagen Erga; Ingvild Dalen; Anastasia Ushakova; Janete Chung; Charalampos Tzoulis; Ole-Bjørn Tysnes; Guido Alves; Kenn Freddy Pedersen; Jodi Maple-Grødem (2018) Dopaminergic and opioid pathways associated with impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease. I: Frontiers in Neurology. Online ISSN 1664-2295. Volum 9:109. s.1-9. DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00109

Aleksander Hagen Erga; Anders Bjørnestad; Ole-Bjørn Tysnes; Guido Alves; Kenn Freddy Pedersen (2018) Is psychosis associated with impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease?. I: Parkinsonism & Related Disorders. ISSN 1353-8020. Volum 53. s.110-111. DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.04.026

Helge Molde; Yasaman Moussavi; Stine Therese Kopperud; Aleksander Hagen Erga; Anita Lill Hansen; Ståle Pallesen (2018) Impulse-control disorders in Parkinson's Disease: A meta-analysis and review of case-control studies. I: Frontiers in Neurology. Online ISSN 1664-2295. Volum 9:330. s.1-15. DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00330

Aleksander Hagen Erga; Katrine Valvatne Kvernenes; Kjersti Berge Evensen; Margrethe Elin Vika (2017) Behandling av odontofobi for pasienter med post-traumatiske plager : en litteraturoversikt. I: Den norske tannlegeforenings Tidende. ISSN 0029-2303. Volum 127. s.682-686.

Aleksander Hagen Erga; Guido Alves; Jan Petter Larsen; Ole-Bjørn Tysnes; Kenn Freddy Pedersen (2017) Impulsive and Compulsive Behaviors in Parkinson’s Disease: The Norwegian ParkWest Study. I: Journal of Parkinson's Disease. ISSN 1877-7171. Volum 7. s.183-191. DOI: 10.3233/JPD-160977

Thomas Solgård Svendsen; Aleksander Hagen Erga; Egon Hagen; James R. McKay; Anne-Lill Mjølhus Njå; Janne Årstad; Sverre Nesvåg (2017) How to Maintain High Retention Rates in Long-Term Research on Addiction: A Case Report. I: Journal of Social Work Practice in The Addictions. ISSN 1533-256X. Volum 17. s.374-387. DOI: 10.1080/1533256X.2017.1361831

Egon Hagen; Aleksander Hagen Erga; Katrin Pedersen Hagen; Sverre Nesvåg; James R. McKay; Astri Lundervold; Espen Walderhaug (2017) One-year sobriety improves satisfaction with life, executive functions and psychological distress among patients with polysubstance use disorder. I: Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. ISSN 0740-5472. Volum 76. s.81-87. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2017.01.016

Egon Hagen; Aleksander Hagen Erga; Sverre Nesvåg; James R. McKay; Astri Lundervold; Espen Walderhaug (2017) One-year abstinence improves ADHD symptoms among patients with polysubstance use disorder. I: Addictive Behaviors Reports. ISSN 2352-8532. Volum 6. s.96-101. DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2017.08.005

Egon Hagen; Aleksander Hagen Erga; Katrin Pedersen Hagen; Sverre Nesvåg; James R. McKay; Astri Lundervold; Espen Walderhaug (2016) Assessment of executive function in patients with substance use disorder: A comparison of inventory- and performance-based assessment. I: Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. ISSN 0740-5472. Volum 66. s.1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2016.02.010

Formidling

Jon Fauskanger Bjåstad; Sigve Nyvik Aas; Marita Borg Distefano; Gunnhild Berglen; Nikolai Raaby Haugen; Martha Therese Gjestsen; Aleksander Hagen Erga; Ingvild Pettersen; Laila Yvonne Nordvoll; Mariann Sundstrøm; Anne Sameline Grimsgaard (2024) Brukermedvirkning i forskning – for lite, for sent. DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.23.0684

Jens Hetland; Astri J. Lundervold; Aleksander Hagen Erga (2024) Correction to: Cognitive impairment as a predictor of long-term psychological distress in patients with polysubstance use disorders: a prospective longitudinal cohort study (BMC Psychiatry, (2024), 24, 1, (143), 10.1186/s12888-024-05600-x). I: BMC Psychiatry. Online ISSN 1471-244X. Volum 24. DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05774-4

Aleksander Hagen Erga; Jens Hetland; Kirsten Johanne Braatveit (2023) Patients with cognitive deficits and substance use disorders, a clinical population in need of focused attention. I: Frontiers in Psychiatry. Online ISSN 1664-0640. Volum 14. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1281914

Aleksander Hagen Erga; Guido Werner Alves; Albert F.G. Leentjens (2023) Corrigendum to “The ePark study protocol: A decentralized trial of individual video-assisted cognitive behavioural therapy for depressive disorder in Parkinson's disease” [Contemp. Clinic. Trials Commun. 32 (2023) 101080](S2451865423000261)(10.1016/j.conctc.2023.101080). I: Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications. Online ISSN 2451-8654. DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2023.101205

Source: Nasjonalt vitenarkiv