Our lab is currently conducting lab-based experimental studies and meta-analytic investigations. Several exciting projects are planned for the next several years as the lab continues to grow! Please contact Dr. Renna for more information about upcoming projects.
Understanding barriers and facilitators to healthy living
This study, funded by a grant from the National Institute for General Medical Sciences, is being conducted in collaboration with the School of Kinesiology and Nutrition at USM. The project examines, via qualitative interviews and self-report measures, perceived barriers and facilitators of healthy eating and physical activity among young adults with and without metabolic syndrome recruited throughout southern Mississippi. As an additional goal of this project, young adults with increased risk for metabolic syndrome are provided with an online infographics page as a form of micro-intervention to provide information on improving their physical health.
Status: Data collection ongoing
Status: Data collection ongoing
Sleep Disturbance, Inflammation, and Repetitive Negative Thinking
This study, funded by the USM Proposal Development Grant Program, provides pilot data examining relationships between repetitive negative thinking (e.g., worry, rumination), sleep disturbance, and inflammation in adults with and without major depressive disorder. Participants complete blood draws and self-report measures before and after a 14-day EMA where they do daily ratings of mood, worry, rumination, and fatigue along with completing daily sleep diaries. The EMA period also uses wearables (e.g., Fitbits) to collect physical activity and sleep data.
Status: Data collection ongoing
Status: Data collection ongoing
Sexual minority stress and health
PET Lab graduate student Ava Fergerson's dissertation study explores affective and physiological reactivity to an experimentally-induced sexual minority stressor among sexual minority young adults. Using self-reports, HRV measurement, and blood pressure recordings, this study is interested in examining the role that discrimination has on amplifying affective and physiological responses to a sexual minority stressor, and how individuals are able to recover during both a recovery period and positive mood induction.
Status: Data collection ongoing
Status: Data collection ongoing
A Single-Session Emotion Regulation Training to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk
This experimental, lab-based study funded through the Mississippi Center for Clinical and Translational Research, assesses whether a single session emotion regulation training among depressed young adults can decrease biologically-derived cardiovascular disease risk factors. Participants undergo the single session emotion regulation training and have their inflammation, blood pressure, and heart rate measured before, immediately after, and 1-week after the training. In the week after the training, participants complete daily surveys about their mood and emotion regulation skills use.
Status: Data collection ongoing
Status: Data collection ongoing
Networks of anxiety symptoms and inflammation
This study is examining how different facets of anxiety correspond to inflammatory markers. Using a network analysis approach, we are recruiting participants from the general community and USM student body to complete questionnaires about different aspects of anxiety and provide a blood sample to test for several inflammatory markers.
Status: Data collection ongoing
Status: Data collection ongoing
Understanding the relationship between coping strategies and inflammation Meta-Analysis
This meta-analytic study is looking at the field's current findings on the relationship between inflammation and different styles of coping.
Status: Data Analysis phase
Status: Data Analysis phase
Psychological Interventions to Improve Emotional and Physical Distress in Breast Cancer
This meta-analytic study examines mindfulness- and cognitive-behavioral therapies and how they influence both psychological and physical distress in breast cancer patients and survivors.
Status: Data Analysis phase
Status: Data Analysis phase
Relationships Between Daily Fluctuations in Negative Emotionality/Emotion Regulation and Physical Symptoms in Cancer
This EMA study examines how daily experiences of negative emotions (sadness, anxiety, fear, grief, anger), coupled with emotion regulation skills use, influence pain, sleep disturbance, and fatigue among cancer patients and survivors. This study leverages connections with local cancer centers in the Southeast along with national recruitment through ResearchMatch and Army of Women.
Status: Planning phase
Status: Planning phase
Daily Stress and Physical Health
This study looks at the role of perseveration (e.g., worry, rumination) in linking daily stress to HRV and blood pressure. Participants will complete the Daily Inventory of Stressful Events (DISE) which asks about interpersonal and non-interpersonal stressors experienced in the day prior to the lab visit, complete self-report measures of perseverative cognition, and provide a blood sample to test for inflammatory markers.
Status: Data collection ongoing
Status: Data collection ongoing
Understanding Psychological Factors Influencing Health Beliefs in Young Adults
This study uses the USM SONA participant pool to understand what psychological factors may impact young adult's attitudes and beliefs towards engaging in proactive health behaviors that may prevent chronic illness in the future. Participants complete measures about their knowledge of various health risks (e.g., diet, sun exposure, alcohol and drug use, sedentary behavior, exercise) along with measures assessing psychological symptoms and functioning.
Status: Data collection ongoing
Status: Data collection ongoing