Current research projects

Individuals differ in their sensitivity to environmental influences. Theoretical models suggest that interaction patterns between environmental and individual factors can take many forms, with individuals being sensitive to negative environments only, positive environments only, or both. Much research, including our own, has examined these patterns of interaction in childhood, and our initial research extended these models to apply them to adolescence (see here, here, and here). Research in adult populations remains more limited. Experiences of Pregnancy aims to thoroughly measure phenotypic individual sensitivity factors (e.g., temperament, personality) and social environment factors to examine their interactions and associations with mental health throughout pregnancy and postpartum as well as with birth outcomes. The project also aims to serve as pilot data to build models of intergenerational sensitivity.

On the same basis as Experiences of Pregnancy, this project aims to extend models of environmental sensitivity to adulthood. This project led by Honors student McKenna Nhem aims to examine the current state of the literature examining environmental sensitivity models in the prediction of mental health in adulthood through a scoping review, followed by examining these effects in a cohort of young adults.

Funding: Provost’s Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Summer Fellowship

The “Highly Sensitive Person” is an individual who has personality traits that lead to increased sensitivity towards stimuli, both external and internal. As such, people with this trait are more prone to influence from sensory elements in their environment. A questionnaire, the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS), was developed to measure this trait in research and clinical practice. Additionally, related to the measurement of sensitivity to stimuli is The Sensory Profile, a validated tool designed to gather a history gauging perception and how individuals react to different kinds of sensory stimuli. While associations of the HSPS have been examined with other personality scales, the literature has yet to examine its association with the Sensory Profile. The Sensory Profile may provide relevant insight towards the highly sensitive person by helping understand the sensory reactions of individuals with a highly sensitive personality. This study led by students Delaney Fulp and Megan Waldron will examine the associations between the HSPS and the Sensory Profile.

Funding: Honors College Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

Research shows that peer environments are associated with adolescent delinquency. However, these effects are heterogeneous, and it remains unclear for which adolescents and under what conditions peer environments are most associated with adolescent delinquency. This project led by student Zoe Childers-Rockey aims to examine the moderators of the association between peer environments and adolescent delinquency through a systematic review.