Current Research Projects

The MIDUS study is a national U.S. study of midlife development in over 7,000 individuals aged 25-75 at baseline. MIDUS includes 3 waves of data collection which provides the necessary data of long-term change in psychological and behavioral functioning. the study allows for the analysis of the key predictors of mortality. Sub projects also allow for the analysis of biomarkers of health (e.g., immune, metabolic, and cardiovascular function).  

During the 2016-17 academic year, we collected data on 580 incoming WVU freshman. The baseline assessment was conducted online prior to students' arrival on campus. Four additional assessments were conducted over their freshman year of school. Over 900 variables were assessed at each wave of data collection capturing academic functioning, substance use behavior, sexual behavior, social relationships, psychological functioning, etc. The main goal of this study is to examine predictors of behavioral, social, and psychological trajectories during the transition to college. A second cohort of data was collected during the 2019-20 academic year. Within the second cohort, there is a more specific focus on the measurement of childhood adversity and how adversity impacts development during college. In Fall 2020, a comparison sample of 100 participants not currently attending college was collected.  

Replication is important in any field, but arguably most important in the field of health psychology. This is because we can't create interventions or improve health without reliable data. Although changes for more Open Science practices (e.g., journal badges, online repositories for analysis scripts and data), there is still a need to replicate findings with diverse populations and methodologies. However, developmentalist most of the time don't have the luxury of conducting exact replications of their 5-10-20+ year longitudinal studies. Thus, it is essential to consider Coordinated Analytic approaches to strengthen our confidence in study findings. Recently, Dr. Turiano has been involved in several Coordinated Analyses through the IALSA network of researchers. This approach allows one to test hypotheses in several different samples with varying measure characteristics. The heterogeneity of the studies is a strength because what is better than finding statistical evidence to support your hypothesis in one sample – what's better is finding it in multiple studies with a meta-analytic effect to represent the strength of the associations being explored.