At the Lifespan Lab, our focus is on understanding development of both psychopathology and personality as they unfold over time across adulthood. Our substantive areas of interest are:
Vascular depression: A proposed subtype of late-life depression that is based on the finding that patients with late-onset depression have higher rates of microvascular ischemia and greater impairment in executive functioning. We are focusing on evaluating the validity of this proposed diagnostic subtype.
Executive dysfunction: A broad, multifaceted class of cognitive functions whose dysfunction plays an important role in late-life depression. Our lab is focusing on the role of executive dysfunction in antidepressant treatment response.
Personality disorders: Enduring patterns of inner experience and behavior that cause personal distress and social difficulties. We are particularly interested in the development and treatment of borderline and narcissistic personality disorder.
Stability and change of personality: One of the most enduring questions in personality psychology is whether personality remains stable or changes across the lifespan. We are particularly interested in understanding change in personality according to Erik Erikson’s 8-stage developmental theory.
Advanced quantitative methods: To accomplish our substantive aims, we rely on advanced quantitative methods such as hierarchical linear modeling, mediation and moderation, missing data, structural equation modeling, and latent class analysis, and host a monthly journal club in applied statistical methods.
