CYNTHIA BERG, PH.D.

Research Interests

As a life-span developmental health psychologist, I examine how adolescents and adults across the life span manage chronic illnesses (e.g., type 1 and type 2 diabetes, cancer) in the context of their family and friend relationships. In our recent developmental model of parent-child coordination (Berg et al., 2017), we explore how a foundation of high-quality parental involvement may facilitate young adults’ self-regulation and use of other relationships (romantic partners, friends, physicians) to facilitate chronic illness management. This model provides an important theoretical bridge between the adolescent and adult development research. My research examines how parents and spouses may facilitate or derail diabetes management during adolescence, emerging adulthood, and adults across the adult lifespan. The focus of much of my research has been on how individuals may benefit from working collaboratively with close relationships (most especially their parents, spouse, or romantic partner) to facilitate the completion of adherence tasks, especially individuals with lower cognitive and EF abilities. We have modeled these family self- and social-regulation processes utilizing dyadic and dynamical system models to capture family processes as they emerge across time (Butner, Berg et al., 2017).

Opportunities for Students

Dr. Berg is not taking graduate students to begin fall of 2025.

We are also looking for undergraduate research assistants who are excellent workers, as well as independent and able to take direction well. We are particularly interested in applicants who are majoring in psychology or a health-related field (at least in their sophmore year) with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. We do require at least 3 hours of work per week, and prefer 6, so only those students who are able to commit to that time should inquire. We will provide all the necessary training so no previous research experience is required, although any students who have had experience should not be discouraged from applying. Interested students should have some degree of computer experience (i.e., familiar with the internet and Microsoft Word and have access to email). Interested parties with special skills (e.g., bilingual with excellent communication skills in English and Spanish, data entry experience) are particularly encouraged to apply. Cindy Berg's Lab is looking for research assistants. If you are interested fill out the application. Download Application

Education

Ph.D. Yale University (Developmental Psychology, 1987)
M.Phil. Yale University (Developmental Psychology, 1985)
M.S. Yale University (Developmental Psychology, 1984)
B.S. University of Washington (Psychology, 1981)

Selected Publications

View Publications

CURRENT GRADUATE STUDENTS

Silas Boggess
Eva Darow
Anisha Marion

FORMER GRADUATE STUDENTS

MaryJane Campbell, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Nemours Children’s Health Florida

Batya Elbaum, Ph.D., Professor and Acting Chair, Department of Teaching and Learning, Department of Psychology, University of Miami

Tracy Masiello, Ph.D., Divorce and Superior Court Mediator, Parenting Coordinator, Charlott, North Carolina

Sean Meegan, Ph.D., Director, Consumer Experience Measurement and Discovery, Intermountain Health

Barbara Ross, Ph.D., Rehabilitation Psychologist/Neuropsychologist, Wausau Hospital, Wausau, WI

JoNell Strough, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychology, West Virginia University

Frances Deviney, Ph.D., Senior Research Associate, Kids Count Director Center for Public Policy Priorities, Austin TX

Debra Palmer, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Georgia Southwestern State University

Ryan Beveridge, Ph.D., Professor and Executive Director Institute of Community Mental Health, University of Delaware

Kelly Ko, Ph.D.,Vice President, Innovation and Strategic Initiatives @ Sharp HealthCare

Amy Hughes Lansing, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Vermont

Caitlin Kelly, Ph.D., Director of Outcomes Research, T1D Exchange

Sara Turner, Ph.D., Postdoctoral fellow, Endocrinology, Primary Children’s Hospital

 

Postdoctoral Fellows

Jorie Butler, Ph.D. Principal Investigator Veterans Administration IDEAS Center of Innovation, Associate Director for GRECC, and Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics and Department of Internal Medicine Division of Geriatrics

Tara Queen, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, University of North Carolina School of Medicine

Ines Schindler, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow, Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics Frankfurt

Eunjin Lee Tracy, Assistant Professor, Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri