Research Interests

• Stress and Well-being in adult and elderly populations
• Biomarkers of positive affect
• Neuroendocrine and immunological outcomes as a function of stress and anxiety
• Optimism and resiliency as psychological resources
• Stress and Subjective well-being in African-Americans

Research statement

One research objective in positive psychology is to identify factors which enhance well-being and, in essence, makes normal life more fulfilling.  In our lab, we study personality characteristics (e.g. optimism and resilience) and positive emotions (e.g., joy) that facilitate enhance well-being.  We also examine variables (e.g. stress and anxiety) and mechanisms by which subjective well-being is threatened.  Our lab examines the biomarkers for stress and positive emotions. We analyze the endocrine (e.g., salivary cortisol), immune (e.g., salivary IgA), and nervous system (e.g., EEG) responses to positive and negative stimuli.  We also incorporate a number of self-report measures.  Our goal is to understand the relationship between affect, behavior, and subsequent health outcomes in adults.

Current and Future Directions

We recently conducted several treatment efficacy studies regarding a positive psychology intervention.  Self-report measures of subjective well-being, as well as physiological measures (salivary cortisol and heart rate variability) were sampled in college students.  Our results are promising.  We are currently examining aspects of subjective well-being in African-American college students, and future studies will examine the relationship between affect, behavior, and physiology.

• Department of Psychology, Undergraduate Teaching Award, 2012-13
• David & Kathryn White Undergraduate Teaching Award, 2007-08
• College of Arts & Sciences Junior Teaching Award, 1997-98
• Phi Beta kappa Research & Creative Achievement Award, 1996

• Appalachian College Association Award, 2009
• Professional Development Award, Univ. of Tenn., 2000
• Research Planning Grant, National Science Foundation, 1993-95

Cannon, R. L., Baldwin, D.R., Shaw, T.L., Diloreto, D., Phillips, S.M., Scruggs, A.K. & Riehl, T.C.  (2012).  Reliability of quantitative EEG (qEEG) measures and LORETA current source density at 30 days.  Neuroscience Letters, 518, 27-31.

Cannon, R.L. & Baldwin, D.R. (2012).  EEG current source density and the phenomenology of the default network.  EEG and Clinical Neuroscience, 43, 257-267.

Baldwin, D.R., Cannon, R.L., Fischer, S.K., & Little, K.  (2011).  The inverse of psychopathology: A LORETA EEG and cortisol examination.  Journal of Neurotherapy, 15, 374-388.

Baldwin, D.R., Jackson, D., Ife, O., & Cannon, R.L. (2011).  Resiliency and optimism: An African-American Senior Citizen’s Perspective.  Journal of Black Psychology, 37(1), 24-41.

Benham, G. Nash, M.R. & Baldwin, D.R. (2009).  A comparison of changes in secretory immunoglobulin A following a stress-inducing and stress-reducing task.  Stress and Health, 25, 81-90.

Dinesh, J. Bassett, D.R., Thompson, D.L., Fairbrother, J.T. & Baldwin, D.R.  (2009).  Effect of using a treadmill workstation on performance of simulated office work tasks.   Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 6, 617-624.

Armata, P.M. & Baldwin, D.R.  (2008).  Stress, optimism, resiliency and cortisol  with relation to digestive symptoms or diagnosis.  Individual Differences Research, 6, 123-138.

Baldwin, D.R., Kennedy, D. & Armata, P. (2008).  De-stressing mommy: Ameliorative association with dispositional optimism and resiliency.
Stress and Health, 24, 393-400.

Baldwin, D.R., McIntyre, A. & Hardaway, E. (2007).  Perceived parenting styles on college student’s optimism.  College Student Journal, 41, 550-557.