Michael Dreier

My research originated in sociological investigations of lifestyle changes and subsequently expanded into psychosomatic medicine, where I examined how behavioural addictions mediate psychosomatic outcomes through stress physiology. Behavioural addictions can be understood as biopsychosocial maladaptations, which reflect the interaction between social structures and individual agency, affecting both mental and physical health.

Building on these findings, my work has increasingly shifted towards healthy ageing and longevity, accompanied by further professionalisation in psychology within an interdisciplinary framework. Key concepts guiding my research include healthspan extension, healthy ageing and longevity. I primarily work with data from the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS), a landmark population-based cohort study in cardiovascular and psychosomatic epidemiology.

My aim is to capture the dynamic interplay between behaviour, physiology and environment across the life course, emphasising how early-life behavioural patterns shape later health trajectories. This perspective underscores the importance of preventive interventions for healthy ageing, with the aim of extending the healthy lifespan.

Research website

Positions held

• Since 2024: Research Associate, University Medical Center (UMC), Mainz
• 2011 - 2024: Research Associate, Outpatient Clinic for Behavioral Addictions, University Medical Center (UMC), Mainz

Education

• Since 2024: MSc in Psychology (in progress), Apollon University of Applied Sciences for Health Economics, Bremen
• 2024: Preparatory Program in Psychology, Apollon University of Applied Sciences for Health Economics, Bremen
• 2019: Dr. rer. physiol., University Medical Center (UMC), Mainz
• 2011: Diploma in Sociology, Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU), Mainz

Selected publications by Michael Dreier

Wicke FS, Ernst M, Otten D, Werner A, Dreier M, Brähler E, Tibubos AN, Reiner I, Michal M, Wiltink J, Münzel T, Lackner KJ, Pfeiffer N, Koenig J, Wild PS and Beutel ME (2022) The association of depression and all-cause mortality: explanatory factors and the influence of gender. J Affect Disord, 303:315-322 Link

Reinecke L, Meier A, Aufenanger S, Beutel ME, Dreier M, Quiring O, Stark B, Wölfling K and Müller KW (2018) Permanently online and permanently procrastinating? The mediating role of internet use for the effects of trait procrastination on psychological health and well-being. New Media & Society, 20:862-880 Link

Reinecke L, Aufenanger S, Beutel ME, Dreier M, Quiring O, Stark B, Wölfling K and Müller KW (2017) Digital stress over the life span: the effects of communication load and internet multitasking on perceived stress and psychological health impairments in a German probability sample. Media Psychol, 20:90-115 Link

Beutel ME, Klein EM, Aufenanger S, Brähler E, Dreier M, Müller KW, Quiring O, Reinecke L, Schmutzer G, Stark B and Wölfling K (2016) Procrastination, distress and life satisfaction across the age range - a German representative community study. PLOS ONE, 11:e0148054 Link

Klein EM, Brähler E, Dreier M, Reinecke L, Mueller KW, Schmutzer G, Wölfling K and Beutel ME (2016) The German version of the Perceived Stress Scale - psychometric characteristics in a representative German community sample. BMC Psychiatry, 16:159 Link