2023-2024 Interpersonal Emotion Lab members. Top row from left to right: Mars (Undergraduate RA), Benazir (Postbacc RA), Griffin (Undergraduate RA), Louise (Undergraduate RA), Paloma Zabala (PhD Student). Bottom row from left to right: Elizabeth Arlington (MA Student), Ella Sudit (PhD student), Ramya Ramadurai (PhD candidate), Dr. Nathaniel Herr (Faculty Mentor), Kelly Klein (PhD student), Deirdre Salinsky (MA student) ).

The Interpersonal Emotion Laboratory Research examines topics broadly related to emotion regulation, interpersonal functioning, and identity disturbance. We are interested in how interpersonal relationships can facilitate both effective and ineffective emotion regulation, particularly within the context of borderline personality disorder (BPD). We study which relationships, relationship behaviors, or interpersonal cognitions are effective and which are ineffective for individuals with BPD and related disorders. We are also looking into telehealth applications of emotion regulation strategies.

Recently, our lab has explored authentic emotional expression and identification of authentic facial emotion. Historically, studies testing emotion recognition have used stimuli of individuals expressing emotions based on a directional prompt for which emotion to express (e.g., anger, sadness, etc.). While validated, these stimuli do not fully capture authentic emotional experience. This study attempted to address this issue by recording authentic emotional experiences of individuals with the purpose of creating a new emotional stimulus that the lab plans to use for future studies related to emotion recognition. Our lab also recently completed a pilot study of virutally-disseminated, videoconferencing-based Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Group. Findings from this study highlight the feasibility and acceptability of videoconferencing-based DBT skills groups and emphasize the importance of increasing access to care.

Other past research studies our lab has conducted include a study that used Electroencephalography (EEG) to examine emotional reactivity to images of facial emotions of varying intensities among individuals with diagnoses of BPD or depression. We also previously completed a study that used a behavioral measure of aggression to examine how validation or invalidation after a sad mood induction influences aggression among individuals with difficulty regulating emotions compared to individuals without these difficulties.

Our lab has also collaborated on a project with Dr. Kate Gunthert and members of her Stress and Emotion Lab here at AU that assessed predictors of interpersonal conflict, mood, and relationship aggression in a community sample of cohabiting couples using a three-week daily diary methodology.