Behavioral Physiology Laboratory
Current research interests in the Behavioral Physiology Laboratory focus on autonomic reactivity to stress and its implications in the pathogenesis of a broad range of health conditions, including cardiovascular disorders and cancer. Empirical projects are currently being conducted in the Behavioral Physiology Laboratory in the Department of Psychology as well as through research collaborations at the Robert C. Byrd Health Science’s Center.
Recent empirical work in behavioral physiology has examined how various psychological phenomena (e.g., hostility, social support, daily stress, coping, forgiveness) are linked to health outcomes. Based upon the literature, it has been hypothesized that the relation between these behavioral factors and disease outcomes is mediated by the magnitude and patterning of autonomic nervous system responses to mental stress. As such, individuals who respond to stress with exaggerated autonomic responses are at the greatest risk for subsequent health problems, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
We are currently conducting a small-scale clinical trial of a behavioral intervention aimed at promoting forgiveness of long-held grudges. Participants autonomic and cortical responses to grudge-related stimuli are measured both before and after the intervention in an effort to uncover potential physiological benefits associated with forgiveness.
The Laboratory’s applied clinical research has concentrated on numerous patient populations at the Robert C. Byrd Health Science’s Center, including an ongoing partnership with physicians in the Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Program of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center. This collaborative effort is aimed at understanding psychosocial predictors of treatment outcome among hematologic malignancy patients.
The Director of the Behavioral Physiology Laboratory is Dr. Kevin Larkin. Dr. Larkin received his Bachelors of Arts degree in psychology from Wittenberg University in 1979. Upon completion of degree requirements, he attended the University of Richmond, receiving a master’s degree in psychology in 1981, and the University of Pittsburgh, receiving his doctorate in clinical psychology in 1986. He completed his internship training in the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry at the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center in Morgantown. He joined the faculty at West Virginia University as an Assistant Professor in 1986 and was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure in 1992 and to the rank of Professor in 2002. He currently serves as the Director of Clinical Training for the department’s clinical training programs.
