Social Cognition and Developmental Psychopathology

At the Adolescent Treatment Program (ATP) of the Menninger Clinic we have developed a research program which has two goals (1) to test a model of social cognition for the development of emotional-behavior difficulties, in particular emerging personality disorder and (2) to test the effectiveness of a mentalization-based treatment approach in an adolescent in-patient setting. We collaborate closely with the treatment team at the ATP under the direction of Dr. Elizabeth Newlin. We also collaborate with Dr. Peter Fonagy at University College London and the Anna Freud Center in the United Kingdom. The work is funded by the Child and Family Program of the Menninger Clinic.

ATP Research Newsletter Spring 2012 Issue 1 (newest issue!)

ATP Research Newsletter Issue 1

ATP Research Newsletter Issue 2

ATP Research Newsletter Issue 3

Social Cognitive Factors and Suicide-related Behaviors in Adolescents

At the Harris County Psychiatric Center our research investigate models by which social-cognitive and other cognitive vulnerabilities (e.g., implicit bias, problem-solving, etc.) interact with life stress to confer risk for suicide-related behaviors and borderline symptoms in adolescents. At HCPC we collaborate with Dr. Dawnelle Schatte who is at the University of Texas.

Emotional-behavior problems in children affected by HIV-AIDS in South Africa

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa has already orphaned a generation of children, and now seems set to orphan generations more (UNICEF, 2003). There is an urgent need for the development of reliable and valid diagnostic tools for the early detection of psychiatric disorder as a first step towards successful intervention. In this research program we work with Drs. Donald Skinner, Lochner Marais, Michael Ross and Mr. Joe Serekoane and Molefi Lenka to develop diagnostic measures for use in South African children affected by AIDS. This work is funded by NIMH and the NIH Centers for AIDS Research.

Reward-related decision making in social and non-social contexts

In this program of research we make use of behavioral economics, social neuroscience and neuroeconomics to investigate social cognition, reward and affective processing. We use both behavioral and neuroimaging approaches in this research. Research in this program is conducted across the lifespan and include research on borderline personality disorder, problem gambling, externalizing disorders, externalizing problems and depression. For more information on specific research projects contact Dr. Carla Sharp (csharp2@uh.edu). This program of research is funded by NARSAD and the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation.