Mentor Areas
My current research focuses on cognitive traits and difficulties involved in the etiology and treatment of transdiagnostic dimensions of anxiety (e.g., excessive worrying), repetitive negative thinking (e.g., rumination), and related problems (e.g., depression, suicidal behavior).
Description:
Repetitive negative thinking (RNT; e.g., excessive worrying, rumination, obsessions) is a core component of many emotional difficulties. Psychotherapies for these problems (e.g., anxiety disorders, depression) reduce RNT but are not a cure all, as many individuals will continue to struggle with RNT after treatment. Based on cognitive science research showing that elevated RNT may result in part from difficulties with working memory (the capacity to temporarily store and manipulate information), some recent research has tested working memory training as an intervention strategy for reducing RNT, with promising results. However, based on constraints of this work, the clinical implications are not yet clear. Led by Dr. Keith Bredemeier, the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety is developing a new working memory training program (Enhancing working memory to Reduce Undesirable Persistent Thoughts – ERUPT) aimed at reducing RNT, designed and tested explicitly as an adjunct to established treatments provided at our Center for individuals with anxiety-related disorders. Further, this program will: 1) be transdiagnostic in nature; 2) have some clinician/staff involvement to facilitate engagement, and 3) include elements from other cognitive skills/remediation programs. We hypothesize that these unique features of the program will bolster its clinical outcomes and utility. Undergraduate volunteers who assist with this project will have an opportunity to assist with participant recruitment and assessments, development of program materials, and analysis and dissemination of data.
Preferred Qualifications
Previous coursework in psychology and/or relevant research experience are strongly preferred, but not required.
Details:
Preferred Student Year
Junior, Senior
Volunteer
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
No
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.