Current Projects
01
Emotion Polyregulation
Based on the work of Ford, Gross & Gruber (2019), I am exploring multiple emotion regulation approaches people use such as pursuing different regulation goals, strategies, or tactics. My current work investigates concurrent and/or sequential use of the cognitive reappraisal tactics, reinterpretation and psychological distancing, as a means of understanding natural models of emotion regulation.
02
Emotion Regulation
Interventions
I am examining which emotion regulation strategies are most strongly associated with mitigating perceived stress, such as stress related to bereavement, caregiving, and COVID-19 social distancing. I am also examining the moderating influences of relevant individual differences (e.g., age, race, gender, affective style, physical health, and geographic location) on these relationships (Dicker, Jones, Kunik, & Denny, 2025; Dicker, Jones, & Denny, 2022; Dicker, Tuazon, & White, under review).
03
Neurobiological Markers of Emotion Regulation
I am interested in understanding the basic neurobiological mechanisms underlying successful and unsuccessful emotion regulation in both healthy and clinical populations, such as borderline personality disorder and depression (Denny, Lopez, Wu-Chung, Dicker, et al., 2024; Dicker, Goodson, & Denny, 2023; Denny et al., 2023; Hayes et al., 2023; Goodson, Dicker, & Denny, 2023).
Denny et al., 2023
04
Emotion, Aging & Health
I am interested in the biological mechanisms through which psychological stress associated with bereavement and caregiving for people with Alzheimer's Disease can dysregulate the immune, autonomic, and endocrine systems, and how this may be moderated by adaptive emotion regulation (Brown, et al., 2022; Moncada-Jimenez et al., 2023; Dicker et al., in prep).
Our Team
Angel Melina Tuazon (2024-2025)
Grace White (2024-2025)
Research Assistants