seawella@grinnell.edu
Campus Phone: 
641-269-3175
Fax: 
641-269-4984
Associate Professor of Psychology; psi chi advisor
On-Campus Address: 
On leave Fall 2011
Education / Degrees: 
M.A., Ph.D., State University of New York-Albany
B.A., Seton Hall University
Courses Taught: 
Psy 113: Intro. to Psychology with Lab
Psy 250: Health Psychology with Lab
Psy 370: Multicultural Psychology
Psy 495: Senior Seminar
Tutorial: "Cancer Survivorship: Resiliency, Coping, and Relationships"
Primary Academic Interest: 
Health and Clinical Psychology

As a clinical and health psychologist, I strive to understand the physical, psychological, and social complexities of health and illness. I am interested in understanding the role of interpersonal relationships in coping with illness. I have explored these issues among women with lupus or osteoarthritis and their families. I have also been interested in examining how positive psychological variables like hope and forgiveness can impact health and well-being. My most recent research focuses on interventions, like expressive writing and meditation, which increase forgiveness and diminish the negative impact of interpersonal transgressions on physical and psychological health. I enjoy involving undergraduate students in every aspect of the research process. I frequently present and even publish with my undergraduate research assistants.