Research Initiatives
The Social Structures Initiative seeks to integrate broad social categorical information (e.g., demographic, socioeconomic, neighborhood, religious group membership) with psychological processes and physiological and health outcomes. Psychological repercussions deriving from the disruption of social roles, for example, may have long-term health consequences, as in the case of loss of social connection in the context of divorce, family trauma, or change in economic status. The goal of this initiative is to foster research into mechanisms through which social structures influence feelings of social connection and their emotional, cognitive, and behavioral sequelae, and conversely, mechanisms through which individual differences in feelings of social connection influence the organization and efficacy of social structures.
Sister Labs:
Rush University Medical Center (Carlos F. Mendes de Leon)
Harvard University (Nicholas Christakis)
University of California, San Diego (James Fowler)
Resources
:HRS- The Health and Retirement Study
Leader:Louise Hawkley
Members: John Cacioppo, Kathleen Cagney, Lianne Kurina, Diane Lauderdale, Ariel Kalil, Dario Maestripieri, Christopher Masi, David Meltzer, Brian Prendergast, Ronald Thisted, Linda Waite, Louise Hawkley,
Recent News:
Research Initiative Update
U. of C. study finds that rats have a touch of humanity -Chicago Tribune-
When Granny is nanny: How to split up childcare duties with less stress - Washington Post
Teaching Empathy to the Me Generation - Miller-McCune.com
Puzzle play improves math skills - Science Codex
Divorce hurts health more at a younger age: study - Globe and Mail
Lonely Planet
Abused Chicks Grow Up to Be Abusers - Science AAAS
Single Men Slip Further Behind Married in Cancer Survival - LiveScience.com
World population not only grows, but grows old - Washington Post
Love, lies and the science of online dating - Montreal Gazette
Poor economy affecting young adults beyond the scope of finding a job - The Guardian
Meta-Analysis: Marriage And Childbirth Make You Miserable (Unless You Read This) - Science 2.0
