Stefan E. Schulenberg
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, The University of Mississippi
Cancer Epidemiology Program
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology-Clinical/Disaster Specialty Track, University of South Dakota, 2001
Contact Information
The University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi 38677
Phone: 662-915-5189
Fax: 662-915-5398
Email: sschulen@olemiss.edu
Research Interests
- Positive Psychology: meaning/life purpose, life satisfaction/quality of life, relationship to physical health problems and health-promoting behaviors
- Clinical/Disaster psychology: disaster response training and effectiveness, PTSD
- Psychological Assessment
Research Synopsis
There is an empirical relationship between perceived life meaning and well-being (e.g., mental health, physical health). With regard to physical well-being specifically, perceived life meaning may be of special importance in prognoses with illnesses such as cancer. Perceived meaning in life is related to many positive psychological constructs central to the human condition, including faith, hope, love, life satisfaction/quality of life, resilience, and empowerment. The broad goal of our research is to understand perceived life meaning's (and other positive psychology variables) relationship to cancer, and how interventions designed to enhance perceived life meaning aid those with cancer in terms of treatment responsiveness, adherence, and outcome. Focus is also placed on the quality of life of individuals diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones.
Recent Accomplishments and Honors
Outstanding Early Career Psychologist Award (September 2007)
Awarded by the Mississippi Psychological Association in recognition of outstanding dedication and notable contributions in the areas of science, teaching, association activities, and practice.
The Willis and Margaret Davis-Finck Legacy in Logotherapy Award (June 2007)
Awarded by the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy (United States) in recognition of outstanding contributions in research and application of Viktor Frankl's theory of Logotherapy (a therapeutic approach and a personality theory that focuses on perceived meaning in life/life purpose).
Promotional Award (Viktor Frankl Fonds-Foerderungspreis, December 2006)
International award bestowed by the Viktor Frankl Foundation of the City of Vienna, Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy, for distinguished work in relation to Meaning-Oriented Humanistic Psychotherapy.
Selected Publications
- Schulenberg, S. E., Schnetzer, L., & Buchanan, E. M. (in press). The Purpose in Life test-Short Form (PIL-SF): Development and psychometric support. Journal of Happiness Studies.
- Hirschel, M. J., & Schulenberg, S. E. (2010). PTSD Checklist (PCL) short form use: Analyses from Mississippi Gulf Coast Hurricane Katrina survivors. Psychological Assessment, 22, 460-464.
- Schulenberg, S. E., & Melton, A. M. A. (2010). A confirmatory factor-analytic evaluation of the Purpose in Life test: Preliminary psychometric support for a replicable two-factor model. Journal of Happiness Studies, 11, 95-111.
- Strack, K. M., & Schulenberg, S. E. (2009). Understanding empowerment, meaning, and perceived coercion in individuals with serious mental illness. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65, 1137-1148.
- Schulenberg, S. E., Kaster, J. T., Nassif, C., & Johnson-Jimenez, E. K. (2008). Assessment of psychopathology. In M. Hersen & A. M. Gross (Eds.), Handbook of clinical psychology: Vol. 2. Children and adolescents (pp. 520-550). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
