CURRENT PROJECTS
AIM YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SMARTPHONE PROJECT
We are currently exploring better ways to predict risk for self-harm and suicide in daily life. This study, funded by AIM Youth Mental Health (aimymh.org), uses smartphones to better assess moments of suicide/self-harm thoughts and behaviors among young adults across two universities (Fairleigh Dickinson University and Penn State University).
EMPATHY, ATTACHMENT, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT STUDY
We are studying the relations among empathy, social dominance, object relations, attachment, and civic engagement. We expect that individuals who are more empathic and securely attached are more likely to engage in more prosocial civic engagement (e.g., recycling, composting). We are recruiting adults from both undergraduate and community sources for this study.
DIFFERENTIATING SHARED CLINICAL FEATURES OF BPD AND ASD
This study examines how overlapping clinical features, such as emotion dysregulation, interpersonal sensitivity, self-injury, suicidality, and mentalization difficulties, present differently in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Using a large community sample and structural equation modeling, we aim to identify nuanced patterns that help clinicians differentiate the two conditions more accurately. Participants will complete measures of personality functioning, ASD traits, mentalizing, emotion regulation, self-injury, and suicidal ideation. By modeling ASD and BPD as latent constructs, the project seeks to clarify diagnostic boundaries and support more precise, individualized clinical care.
ASSESSING NEGATIVE MASCULINITY
The literature discusses seven different constructs relating to negative masculinity. While there have been some patterns identified, there has not been consensus on how to define and assess these terms. The current study seeks to assess how a community sample of men identify and endorse these traits to refine conceptualization and measurement of negative masculinity.