Brent Mallinckrodt

Research Interests

Application of attachment theory to psychotherapy process and outcome; suicide prevention; therapeutic properties of relationships throughout the life span, including stress buffering effects of social support in cancer patients, as well as individual differences in the development of social competencies needed to recruit social support and form close personal relationships; coping resources available to oppressed racial/ethnic and sexual minorities.

Research statement

My primary research interests involve the application of attachment theory to understand psychotherapy processes, especially how a client and therapist form the type of working relationship that is likely to promote lasting change. I am also interested in the beneficial properties of close relationships throughout the lifespan, including social support stress buffering effects and enhancement of immune function, especially in cancer patients. A special focus of my research has been the individual and cultural differences in the development of social competencies that are needed to recruit social support and form close personal relationships. My research in these areas has drawn me to study interpersonal and process-experiential approaches to psychotherapy. I have conducted a number of studies to explore bicultural competence and other coping resources for adjustment and retention of college students. Finally, but no less important to me, I am passionately interested in social justice, social activism, and using research to inform public policy decision making.

Honors

APA Division 44, Evelyn Hooker Award for Distinguished Contribution by an Ally, 2011.
Editor, Journal of Counseling Psychology, 2005-2011.
Fellow, American Academy for the Advancement of Science, 2009.
Delegate, American Psychological Association. Science Leadership Conference, 2009.
University of Tennessee, Department of Psychology, Faculty Appreciation Award for Teaching and Research, 2008.
Fulbright Teaching Scholarship, National Taiwan Normal University, awarded 2007 but I could accept due to new responsibilities at the University of Tennessee.
Dean's "High Flyer" Award for teaching excellence, 2000 -- 2006.
Graduate Faculty Mentor of the Year, University of Missouri, 2005.
Distinguished Research Award, American Educational Research Association, Division E (Counseling), 2005.
Fellow, American Psychological Association, Division 17 (Counseling), 1995; Division 29 (Psychotherapy), 2004.
Associate Editor, Psychotherapy Research, 1997-2004.
Graduate Mentor of the Year, College of Education, University of Missouri, 2003.
Distinguished Research Award, American Educational Research Association, Division E (Counseling), 2003
Wakonse Fellow, Conference for Excellence in College Teaching, 2000.
Distinguished Early Career Research Award, Society for Psychotherapy Research, 1996.
Early Career Scientist-Practitioner Award, Am. Psych. Association (Division 17), 1992.

Selected Publications

Cheng, H-L., Mallinckrodt, B., Soet, J., Sevig, T. (2010). Developing an at-risk profile and screening instrument for non-suicidal self-injurious behavior in college women and men. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 57, 128-139.

Mallinckrodt, B. (2010). The psychotherapy relationship as attachment: Evidence and implications. Journal of Personal and Social Relationships, 27, 262-270.

Wei, M., Liao, K. Y.-H., Chao, R. C., Mallinckrodt, B., Tsai, P.-C., & Botello-Zamarron, R. (2010). Minority stress, perceived bicultural competence and depressive symptoms among ethnic minority college students. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 57, 411-422.

Cho, Y.-J., Mallinckrodt, B., & Yune, S.-K. (in press) Collectivism and individualism in bicultural coping: South Korean undergraduates adjustment to college. Asian Journal of Counseling.

Mallinckrodt, B. (2011). Addressing the decline in counseling/supervision process and outcome research in the Journal of Counseling Psychology. The Counseling Psychologist, 39, 701-714.

Hoyt, W. T., & Mallinckrodt, B. (in press). Improving the quality of research in counseling psychology: Conceptual and methodological issues. In N. A. Fouad, L. Subich, & J. A. Carter (Eds.), Handbook of Counseling Psychology, Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Mallinckrodt, B. (2010). The psychotherapy relationship as attachment: Evidence and implications. Journal of Personal and Social Relationships, 27, 262-270.

Cheng, H.-L., & Mallinckrodt, B. (2009). Parental bonds, anxious attachment, media internalization, and body image dissatisfaction: Exploring a mediation model. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56, 365-375.

Daly, K. D., & Mallinckrodt, B. (2009). Expert therapists’ approaches to psychotherapy with adult clients who present with attachment avoidance or anxiety. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56, 549-563.

Heppner, P. P., Armer, J. M., & Mallinckrodt, B. (2009). Problem-solving style and adaptation in breast cancer survivors: A prospective analysis. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 3, 128-136.

Mallinckrodt, B. (2009). Advances in research with sexual minority people: Introduction to the special issue. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56, 1-4.

Mallinckrodt, B., Daly, K., & Wang, C.-C. (2009). An attachment approach to adult psychotherapy. In J. H. Obegi & E. Berant, Eds.), Attachment theory and research in clinical work with adults (pp. 234-268). New York: Guilford.

Mallinckrodt, B., & Sedlacek, W. E. (2009). Student retention and the use of campus facilities by race. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 46, 28-32.

Stewart, D. N., & Mallinckrodt, B. (2009). Counseling psychology. In W. G. Emener, M. A. Richard & J. J. Bosworth (Eds.) A guidebook to human service professions: Helping college students explore opportunities in the human services field (2nd ed, pp 78-89). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.