The Alcohol, Mental, and Physical [AMP] Health Laboratory
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While ever-changing, the following lines of research are conducted within the AMP Health Lab, with the emphasis of research always being from a comprehensive biological-psychological-social perspective striving to understand underrepresented populations:
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Examination of the intersections of alcohol use, emotion, and social cognition
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Establishing psychometric validity and reliability of implicit social cognition measures
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Exploring multicultural factors (race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender) on mental health, physical health, and alcohol involvement
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Observation of individual and group processes in the context of alcohol use
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Understanding the impact of mindfulness and positive psychology factors (e.g. resiliency, compassion) on mental health and substance involvement
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Ego depletion and substance-related relapse vulnerability
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It is important to note that while alcohol is the primary substance of focus in the AMP Health Lab, it is not the sole focus. The AMP Health Lab investigates the biopsychosocial underpinnings of the use of a broad range of psychotropic drugs (e.g., nonprescription stimulant medications, marijuana, various forms of caffeine, tobacco, opioids).
Alcohol and drug-related cognitions
The AMP Health Lab conducts experimental studies to assess social cognition related to substance use behavior.
naturalistic observations
The AMP Health Lab is equipped with a naturalistic bar to facilitate research on the social contributions to alcohol use in group settings in college and community samples.
Mindfulness & Wellbeing
The AMP Health Lab conducts a myriad of mindfulness-based studies related to substance use and general wellbeing in college and professional samples.
health disparities
The AMP Health Lab is dedicated to understanding contributions to health disparities in rural, underserved populations so as to develop effective prevention and treatment programs with the long-term goal of eliminating disparities.