Graduate

Sheri Johnson

Professor

Ph.D. earned from University of Pittsburgh, 1992

Research Interests: My research is focused on the course of bipolar disorder.

I am conducting basic research and treatment research focused on bipolar disorder.

Basic Research on Bipolar Depression: We have found that many of the risk variables that predict unipolar depression, including negative life events, low social support, poor self-esteem, and negative cognitive styles, predict bipolar depression. We are conducting further studies of how unipolar and bipolar depression compare.
Basic Research on Mania: We have conducted longitudinal research that demonstrates that people with bipolar disorder endorse elevated levels of reward sensitivity, even when they are between episodes. Within bipolar disorder, higher reward sensitivity and goal engagement predicts greater likelihood of mania over time. Life events involving success and goal attainment also predict increases in mania. Currently, we are conducting studies to understand the greater reactivity to success, including studies of neuroimaging, emotion, and cognition (information-processing).
Treatment in Bipolar Disorder: We are drawing on our basic research findings to develop a mania prevention program, the GOALS program. We use techniques drawn from motivational interviewing and CBT to help address deficits in goal regulation among people with bipolar I disorder.
: We are also conducting research on how to improve family psychoeducation for bipolar disorder.
: Other clinically-oriented interests include how to improve screening for bipolar disorder, and brief interventions to improve illness awareness and treatment engagement.

Spanish language measures of mania and depression cited in the December 2004 issue of Psychological Assessment.