University of Washington

Our research is at the interface between stress, psychosocial distress, risky behaviors, physiology, cognition and disease/illness. We have examined many types of stressors. These include work (Medical School, Air Traffic Controllers, Counselors), Family (Caregiving, Interpersonal Violence), Health (Cancer, Coronary Disease, Hypertension, Gum Disease, Psychiatric Disorders), and Finances.

We have developed models that are good predictors of physiological, physical, psychological and cognitive outcomes. We have examined physiological measures (inflammation, metabolic, cardiovascular and immune function) in addition to personality, cognition, and risky behaviors.

We have developed psychological measures that have been translated into many languages to examine the stressors noted above. These measures have been used in large clinical trials, primary care, numerous research projects and have also been featured on national television.