Health Psychology

Health Psychology

Tracy L. Greer, Ph.D., MSCS.,

Professor and Associate Chair.

Dr. Greer holds the Nancy P. and John G. Penson Endowed Professorship in Clinical Health Psychology.  She has been a Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on numerous clinical trials and clinical translational research projects funded by NIH, foundations, and industry.  Her primary research interests and expertise include novel treatment paradigms for psychiatric conditions, examination of moderators and mediators associated with effective treatment response, and the examination of targeted treatments and lifestyle changes to improve cognition, functioning, and quality of life. She leads the Functional and Cognitive Wellness Lab, which broadly aims to evaluate cognitive contributors to overall health and well-being.

The Functional and Cognitive Wellness Lab (Tracy L. Greer, Ph.D., MSCS, Director) aims to assess cognitive influences on health, with an emphasis on achieving patient-desired functional and psychosocial wellness. Primary research activities currently focus on depressive disorders, substance use disorders, and pain. The lab examines the bidirectional relationship between depression and other chronic health conditions, and shared contributors (e.g., inflammation) and consequences (e.g., cognitive worsening and reduced quality of life). Targeted treatments, such as exercise and mindfulness, are evaluated in individuals with depression and other chronic health conditions, with a specific emphasis on cognitive and functional outcomes. Our lab emphasizes the importance of treatment success being determined by enhanced daily functioning and quality of life.

 

Angela Liegey Dougall, Associate Professor

Dr. Liegey Dougall’s research has focused on identifying key physiological and psychosocial constructs and risk factors for behavior change, physical and mental health, and academic outcomes in diverse populations, such as people with chronic health conditions, trauma survivors, students, and underrepresented groups. She conducts both laboratory-based studies and longitudinal field research using both quantitative and qualitative designs. Previous research has focused on the effects of chronic stress, trauma, and smartphone and social media use on physical activity, academic, and health outcomes as well as potential biological (e.g., immune and endocrine markers), psychological (e.g., coping and resilience), and social mechanisms (e.g., social support and living with chronic illness). She also focuses on advanced statistical models and data science education.

Dr. Liegey Dougall’s research Interests include:

Determinants of long-term stress responding following traumatic and/or chronic stressor events.

Health effects of long-term stress

Habituation and adaptation to long-term stress

Social influences on stress and health

Mental and physical health effects of coping with chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and other metabolic conditions

Chronic pain

Psychoneuroimmunology

Exercise psychology

Occupational health psychology

Advanced models for longitudinal data analysis

Stress resilience

Learning analytics