Mentor: Dr. Geoff MacDonald
Professor
Project Description
My lab is studying various dimensions of singlehood that may contribute to well-being. Our published research has shown that feeling connected to family and friends as well as feeling sexually satisfied are important contributors and that having a secure attachment style is associated with being a happier single person. We have several simultaneous projects underway investigating issues like what healthy singles do (e.g., how much time do they spend looking for relationships), what their priorities are, and what singles motivations for seeking relationships are (if they have any at all). Your role will include literature searches, coding of qualitative data, and introduction to research design. You will consult with graduate student researchers and participate in lab meetings.
Mentorship Statement
I really enjoy helping students find the path that’s right for them, so I think of mentorship as a process of allowing students to have a variety of experiences and encouraging them to explore what those experiences tell them about what they would like to pursue in the future. Because of the lab’s traditional focus on attachment theory, we focus not just on research but on applying ideas to ourselves as part of personal growth. Part of the reason I’m participating in this program is that I believe that when studying a phenomenon like singlehood it’s important to recognize that there are a multitude of experiences of singlehood and the more perspectives we include in our work the better.