Predoctoral Clinical Internship — Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital
Dr. Driscoll’s research investigates behavioral and interpersonal models of stress and depression among individuals who are members of cultural and ethnic minority groups, with an emphasis on Latinxs. The goal of this research is to identify the social and psychological mechanisms by which cultural change and adaptation occur and their relationship to mental health, particularly depression, in order to address existing disparities in mental health among underrepresented groups. This research focuses on cultural adaptation with respect to culturally relevant behaviors, values and attitudes; as well as one’s commitment, attachment to, and exploration of racial-ethnic identity. We are also interested investigating how the ability to flexibly express and synthesize disparate cultural identities influences Latinx mental health. Our lab uses mainly community-based approaches, with recent research projects implementing ecological momentary assessment (EMA) techniques to understand cultural adaptation process in the context of daily Latinx lives as they are lived.
A second area of research interest is in the study of evidence-based, behavioral psychotherapies for disorders of overcontrol, particularly Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT). Our lab is currently investigating whether specific behavioral subtypes of overcontrol exist and can be reliably measured in clinical practice.
Dr. Driscoll is a member of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the Society of Clinical Psychology (APA Division 12), the Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race (APA Division 45), and the Association for Psychological Science.
- Cultural adaptation processes
- Mental health disparities
- Transactional stress and coping models
- Racism and discrimination
- Latinx mental health
- Black and African American mental health
- Depression
Driscoll, M. W., & Torres, L. (2021). Cultural adaptation profiles among Mexican-descent Latinxs: Acculturation, acculturative stress, and depression. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000503.
Driscoll, M. W., & Torres, L. (2020). The protective roles of intercultural competence and Latino acculturation on acculturative stress and depression: A brief longitudinal study. Journal of Latinx Psychology, 8, 161-177. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/lat0000138.
Driscoll, M. W., Reynolds, J. R., & Todman, L. (2015). Dimensions of race-related stress and African American life satisfaction: A test of the protective role of collective efficacy. Journal of Black Psychology, 41, 462-486.