Associate Professor Kristin Gainey (The University of Western Australia)

Join us for this MSPS Colloquium, Varieties of emotional experience: An examination of affective processes in depression, anxiety and wellbeing, presented by Associate Professor Kristin Gainey from The University of Western Australia. This event will be held in person at the University of Melbourne.

Abstract

Affective processes play a central role in our moment-by-moment experience, interfacing with cognition and social interactions to provide critical information about environmental demands. However, sometimes affect functions less effectively, increasing risk for mental health difficulties or reduced wellbeing. In this talk, Kristin describes her lab's work in this area, focusing on:

• the role of mindfulness and decentering in facilitating mental health and wellbeing
• emotion regulation strategies and abilities that may protect against, or increase risk, for depression and anxiety.

Most of these studies were conducted in naturalistic settings in daily life using ecological momentary assessment, to allow for a contextualised understanding of how affective processes fluctuate over time and across situations for each individual. Another overarching aim of this work is to improve assessment of emotional processes and symptoms, and to better understand their structure and construct validity. Kristin will discuss theoretical and clinical implications of these studies, as well as ongoing/future projects that extend this line of research.

Bio

Dr Kristin Gainey is a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor at the School of Psychological Science at the University of Western Australia (UWA), where she directs the Emotional Wellbeing Lab. Her research and clinical experience focus on affective processes as they relate to depression, anxiety and wellbeing. She is also interested in assessment, multivariate statistical analysis and ecological momentary assessment designs. Prior to joining UWA, Kristin was an Assistant and then Associate Professor of Psychology at the University at Buffalo from 2013-2020. Kristin completed her PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Iowa​, followed by a clinical internship year at the Seattle Veterans Administration Medical Center and a postdoctoral position at Boston University. Kristin’s research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, and she has received early career awards from the Association for Psychological Science, American Psychological Association, and the Society for Research in Psychopathology. She is active as a reviewer and editor, serving as an Associate Editor for Psychological Assessment and Self and Identity and on the editorial boards of several journals, and is the Chair of the WA Branch of the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT).

Announcements on upcoming Colloquiums and Zoom links to online Colloquiums are sent out via the MSPS School Colloquium mailing list. To be added to this list, please email Dr Elise Kalokerinos (elise.kalokerinos@unimelb.edu.au)

Watch event recording