Research Interests

My research is now focused on the well-springs, assessment, outcomes, and enhancement of gratitude in children and adolescents. I became interested in gratitude in youth while working as a school psychologist with impoverished and wealthy families. Impoverished students seemed to express gratitude for what they had more often than some of their wealthy peers who oftentimes expressed envy - a barrier to the experience and expression of gratitude. Financial status aside, grateful students appeared happier than their ungrateful counterparts. I'm eager to conduct interdisciplinary research with fields such as anthropology, sociology, and theology in hopes of better understanding gratitude. I've also become increasingly interested in the development and outcomes of religiousness and spirituality in youth. In hopes of contributing more knowledge at the interface of religion and emotion in children and adolescents, I'm dedicated to broadening my expertise beyond the sciences to theology. I'm also passionate about studying happiness, meaning, and materialism.

“Giving Thanks,” Better Homes and Gardens, November 2008.

“Gratitude Check,” Family Circle, November 1, 2008.

“The Benefits of Gratitude,” The Providence Journal, November 24, 2007.

“Many Ways to Show Gratitude in Holiday,” The Herald-Sun, November 21, 2007.

“Thank You,” Metro Parent, November 2007.

“Raising Grateful Children,” Newsday, September 17, 2007.

G.K. Chesterton (1908): Orthodoxy