Ayelet Meron Ruscio
My research is broadly concerned with the nature, classification, and comorbidity of mental disorders, with a particular focus on anxiety and mood disorders. Research in our lab explores three interrelated questions:
1. What distinguishes normal from pathological experiences of anxiety and depression?
2. Why do anxiety and depression so often co-occur within individuals?
3. What predicts who will develop emotional disturbance and what form it will take over the lifespan?
We address these questions using a variety of methodological approaches, including laboratory experiments, statistical modeling, psychometric research, and longitudinal studies in the community. The aim is to better understand the nature and structure of emotional disorders and to improve their detection, assessment, and diagnosis.
Dr. Ruscio will be accepting new graduate students for admission in fall 2012.
NOW HIRING RESEARCH ASSISTANT/LAB MANAGER FOR SUMMER 2012
Description:
Full-time position in the Department of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. The Anxiety, Depression, and Emotion Lab is seeking a full-time research assistant to manage the daily activities of the lab and assist with all stages of clinical research. Our research focuses on normal and abnormal experiences of anxiety, worry, depression, and stress, with particular emphasis on explaining and predicting the co-occurrence of anxiety and mood disorders. The candidate will work directly with Professor Ayelet Ruscio in planning and overseeing a variety of research projects in our dynamic and supportive lab. Responsibilities include: participant recruitment and screening, data collection, data management and analysis, literature reviews, assisting with manuscript and grant preparation, and coordinating the work of undergraduate research assistants in the lab. The candidate will have a meaningful role in designing and carrying out clinical studies and will receive mentoring and opportunities for professional development. Interested individuals will have the chance to conduct clinical interviews, learn advanced statistical skills, co-author publications, present at conferences, and pursue research of their own design. This is an ideal position for graduating seniors who would like to strengthen their preparation and competitiveness for graduate school in clinical psychology or a related field.
Qualifications:
We seek a highly conscientious, organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated individual who will have a Bachelor’s degree by August 2012. Majoring in psychology, previous research experience, and knowledge of SPSS are a plus, but not required. We look forward to working with a candidate who enjoys learning, is enthusiastic and hard-working, and is committed to pursuing graduate study in psychology or a related field. A 2-year commitment is preferred, ideally beginning in June or July 2012. To apply, e-mail a letter of interest and a vita/resume (listing at least 2 references) to Liz Coleman at elcol@psych.upenn.edu. Please use “Full-time RA Application” as the subject of your e-mail.
PSYC 162 Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 709 Debates in Classification
Psychology Graduate Group
- Emily Gentes [Psychology Graduate Student]
- Lauren Hallion [Psychology Graduate Student]
Ruscio, A. M. (in press). The latent structure of social anxiety disorder: Consequences of shifting to a dimensional diagnosis. Journal of Abnormal Psychology.
Andrews, G., Hobbs, M. J., Borkovec, T. D., Beesdo, K., Craske, M. G., Heimberg, R. G., Rapee, R. M., Ruscio, A. M., & Stanley, M. A. (2010). Generalized worry disorder: A review of DSM-IV generalized anxiety disorder and options for DSM-V. Depression and Anxiety, 27, 134-147.
Ruscio, A. M., Chiu, W. T., Stein, D. J., & Kessler, R. C. (2010). The epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Molecular Psychiatry, 15, 53-63.
Ruscio, A. M. (2009). Integrating structural and epidemiological research to inform the classification of psychopathology. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 18, 240-250.
Ruscio, A. M. (2008). Important questions remain to be addressed before adopting a dimensional classification of mental disorders. American Psychologist, 63, 61-62.
Ruscio, J., & Ruscio, A. M. (2008). Categories and dimensions: Advancing psychological science through the study of latent structure. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17, 203-207.
Ruscio, A. M., & Holohan, D. R. (2006). Applying empirically supported treatments to complex cases: Ethical, empirical, and practical considerations. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 13, 146-162.
Ruscio, A. M., Lane, M., Roy-Byrne, P., Stang, P. E., Stein, D. J., Wittchen, H.-U., & Kessler, R. C. (2005). Should excessive worry be required for a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder? Results from the US National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Psychological Medicine, 35, 1761-1772.
Ruscio, A. M., & Borkovec, T. D. (2004). Experience and appraisal of worry among high worriers with and without generalized anxiety disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 42, 1469-1482.
Ruscio, J., & Ruscio, A. M. (2004). Clarifying boundary issues in psychopathology: The role of taxometrics in a comprehensive program of structural research. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 113, 24-38.
Ruscio, A. M., & Ruscio, J. (2002). The latent structure of analogue depression: Should the Beck Depression Inventory be used to classify groups? Psychological Assessment, 14, 135-145.
Ruscio, A. M., Ruscio, J., & Keane, T. M. (2002). The latent structure of posttraumatic stress disorder: A taxometric investigation of reactions to extreme stress. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 111, 290-301.
Ruscio, A. M., Borkovec, T. D., & Ruscio, J. (2001). A taxometric investigation of the latent structure of worry. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 110, 413-422.