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David M Almeida

David M Almeida

Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Studies
The Pennsylvania State University
dma18@psu.edu
www.hhdev.psu.edu/hdfs/faculty/almeida.html

Dr. David M. Almeida is a life-span developmental psychologist with a primary focus on stress and coping during middle adulthood. His research interests center on the general question of how daily experiences within the family and other social contexts, such as work and leisure, influence individual health and well-being. In contrast to research on major life events such as marital disruption and job loss, he is interested in the health effects of everyday stressors and fulfillments such as work deadlines and family interactions. One theme of this enterprise examines the ways that daily experiences affect individuals. His research shows that minor daily stressors exert their influence not only through separate direct effects on emotional and physical functioning but also by accumulating over time and across different contexts to create persistent irritations and frustrations that result in more serious stress reactions such as anxiety and depression. A second general theme of his research addresses how sociodemographic and individual factors influence exposure to daily experiences. Central to this idea is that daily stressors do not occur randomly and that the emotional and physical concomitants of experiencing stressors are not simply a matter of chance or bad luck. Sociodemographic factors such as income and social networks play a part in creating the types of daily environments and thus the experiences that individuals are likely to face. Individual factors, such as genetic endowment, personality, role commitments, and personal goals, direct people in their selection of and efficacy in daily activities. The third theme considers individual differences in emotional and physical reactivity to daily experiences. For example, some people become very distressed when they are faced with increased work responsibilities and demands, whereas others do not. In his research, he is beginning to explore how structural and individual factors in concert relate to this differential reactivity.

Presently, he serves the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior and Psychology and Aging.



Representative Publications
Almeida, D.M., Charles, S.T., Sliwinski, M.J., & Stawski, R.S. (In Review)Using intraindividual variation in affective distress to examine gene x environmental interactions in daily life. Psychology & Aging.

Barnett, R.C., Brennan, R.T., Gareis, K.C., McGaffigan, K., Ertel, K.A., Berkman, L.F., & Almeida, D.M. (In Review)Expanding conservations of resources theory: Work-family conflict as a mediator. Journal of Marriage & the Family.

Charles, S.T., Almeida, D.M., Ryff, C.D., Sturm, M., & Love, G.D. (In Review)Fewer ups and downs: Age differences in triggers of emotional experience. Journal of Gerontology.

Hong, J., Seltzer, M.M., Smith, L.E., Greenberg, J.S., Almeida, D.M., & Coe, C. (In Review)Cortisol dysregulation in mothers of adolescents and adults with autism: The influence of longitudinal and concurrent measures of behavior problems. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders.

LaGuardia, J.G., Almeida, D.M., Love, G.D., & Ryff, C.D. (In Review)Authentic emotional engagement in aging women: Daily consequences of psychological and physiological health. Emotion.

Sliwinski, M.J., Almeida, D.M., Stawski, R.S., & Smyth, J. (In Review)Short-term and long-term variability and change in emotional states and their association with health and social connections in older adults. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology.

Stawski, R.S., Almeida, D.M., Lachman, M.E., Tun, P.A., & Rosnick, D.B. (In Review)Cognitive resources are associated with greater exposure and diminished emotional reactivity to daily stressors: Findings from the National Study of Daily Experiences. Psychology & Aging.

Almeida, D. M., Wong, J. D. (In Press)Life transition and stress: A life course perspective on daily stress processes. In G. H. Elder & J. Z. Ziele (Eds.), The craft of life course research. New York: Guilford Press.

Almeida, D.M., McGonagle, K., & King, H.A. (In Press)Assessing daily stress processes in social surveys by combining stressor exposure and salivary cortisol. Biodemography & Social Biology.

Almeida, D. M., & Wethington, E. (In Press)Daily Telephone Diary assessments: Lessons Learned from the National Study of Daily Experiences. In R. F. Belli, F. P. Stafford, & D. F. Alwin (Eds.), Calendar and Time Diary Methods in Life Course Research. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Seltzer, M. M., Abbeduto, L., Greenberg, J. S., Hong, J., Almeida, D. M., & Witt, W. (In Press)Biomarkers in the study of families of individuals with developmental disabilities. International Review of Research on Mental Retardation.

Almeida, D. M., McGonagle, K. A., Kesser, R. C., & Wethington, E. (In Press)Psychological modifiers of the relationship between marital arguments and daily mood. Marriage & Family Review.

Salva, J., Almeida, D. M., & Zarit, S. H. (In Press)Routine assistance to parents: Effects on daily mood and other stressors. Journal of gerontology.

Almeida, D. M., Piazza, J. R., & Stawski, R. (In Press)Inter-individual differences and intra-individual variability in the cortisol awakening response: An examination of age and gender. Psychology and Aging.

Seltzer, M.M., Almeida, D.M., Greenberg, J.S., Salva, J.S., Srawski, R.S., Hong, J., & Lounds, J. (2009). Daily stress and dysregulation of salivary cortisol in parents of children with disabilities: A report from the MIDUS Study. Journal of Health & Social Behavior, 50, 1-15.

Seltzer, M. M., Almeida, D. M., Greenberg, J., Savla, J., Stawski, R. S., Hong, J., & Taylor, J. L. (2009). Psychosocial and biological markers of daily lives of midlife parents of children with disabilities. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 50(1), 1-15.

Charles, S.T., Piazza, J.R., Luong, G., & Almeida, D.M. (2009). Now you see it, now you don't: Age differences in affective reactivity to social tensions. Psychology & Aging, 24(3), 645-653. PMCID: 2742971.

Seltzer, M. M., Greenberg, J. S., Hong, J., Smith, L. E., Almeida, D. M., Coe, C., et al. (2009). Maternal cortisol levels and behavior problems in adolescents and adults with ASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. DOI 10.1007/s10803-009-0887-0. 2009 Nov 5. [Epub ahead of print].

Smith, L. E., Hong, J., Seltzer, M. M., Greenberg, J., Almeida, D. M., & Bishop, S. (2009). Daily experiences among mothers of adolescents and adults with ASD. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, DOI 1.1007/s10803-10009-10844-y [Epub ahead of print].

O'Neill, J. W., Harrison, M. M., Cleveland, J. N., Almeida, D. M., Stawski, R. S., & Crouter, A. C. (2009). Work-family climate, organizational commitment, and turnover: Multilevel contagion effects of leaders. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74, 18-29.

Almeida, D. M., & Wong, J. D. (2009). Life transition and stress: A life course perspective on daily stress processes. In G. H. Elder & J. Z. Giele (Eds.), The craft of life course research. New York: Guilford Press.

Aronson, K., Almeida, D. M., Stawski, R., & Kline, L. (2008). Smoking is associated with worse mood on stressful days: Results of a national diary study. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 36, 259-269.

Savla, J., Almeida, D. M., & Zarit, S. (2008). Routine assistance to parents: Effects on daily mood and other stressors. Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences.

Stawski, R. S., Sliwinski, M. J., Almeida, D. M., & Smyth, J. M. (2008). Reported exposure and emotional reactivity to daily stressors: The roles of adult-age and global perceived stress. Psychology and Aging, 23, 52-61.

Davis, K. D., Goodman, W. B., Pirretti, A. E., & Almeida, D. M. (2008). Nonstandard work schedules, perceived family well-being, and daily stressors. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 70(4), 991-1003.

Almeida, D. M., Charles, S. T., & Neupert, S. D. (2008). Assessing Health Behaviors Across Individuals, Situations, and Time. In K. W. Schaie, & R. P Abeles (Eds.), Social Structures and Aging Individuals: Continuing Challenges. New York: Springer.

Edwards, R. R., Almeida, D. M., Klick, B., Haythorthwaite, J., & Smith, T. M. (2008). Duration of sleep contributes to next-day pain report in the general population. Pain, 137, 202-207.

Grzywacz, J. G., Butler, A. B., & Almeida, D. M., (2008). Work, family and health: Work-family balance as a protective factor against stresses of daily life. In A. Marcus-Newhall, D. F. Halpern, & S. J. Tan (Eds.), Changing Realities of Work and Family (pp. 194-216). Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.

Neupert, S.D., Stawski, R.S., & Almeida, D.M. (2008). Considerations for sampling time in aging research. In S. M. Hofer, & D. F. Alwin (Eds.), The Handbook of Cognitive Aging: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. (pp. 492-505). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

Grzywacz, J. G., & Almeida, D. M. (2008). Stress and binge drinking: A daily process examination of stressors pile-up and socioeconomic status in affect regulation. International Journal of Stress Management, 15, 364-380.

Charles, S.T., & Almeida, D.M. (2007). Genetic and environmental effects on daily life stressors: More evidence for greater variation in later life. Psychology and Aging, 22, 331-340.

Neupert, S.D., Almeida, D.M., & Charles, S.T. (2007). Age differences in reactivity to daily stressors: The role of personal control. Journal of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological and Behavioral Sciences, 62, P216-P225.

Neupert, S. D., Almeida, D. M., & Charles, S. T. (2007). Age differences in reactivity to daily stressors: The role of personal control. Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 62, P216-P225.

Piazza, J.R., Charles, S.T., & Almeida, D.M. (2007). Living with chronic health conditions: Age differences in affective well-being. Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, Vol. 62B(6), P313-P321.

Mroczek, D.K., Spiro, A., Almeida, D.M. & Pafford, C. (2006). Intraindividual change in personality. In D.K. Mroczek & T.D. Little (Eds.), Handbook of Personality Develoment. Mahway, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Charles, S. T., & Almeida, D. M. (2006). Daily reports of symptoms and negative affect: Not all symptoms are the same. Psychology & Health, 21(1), 1-17..

Yorgason, J.B., Almeida, D.M., Neupert, S.D., Spiro, A., & Hoffman, L. (2006). A dyadic examination of daily health symptoms and emotional well-being in later life couples. Family Relations, 55, 613-624.

Almeida, D. M., Serido, J., & McDonald D. (2006). Daily life stressors of early and late baby boomers. In S.K. Whitbourne & S.L. Willis (Eds.), The Baby Boomers at Midlife: Contemporary Perspectives on Middle Age. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Almeida, D. M.,Mroczek, D. K., & Neiss, M. (2006). Can self-regulation explain age differences in daily, weekly, and monthly reports of psychological distress? In L. Carstensen & K.W. Schaie (Eds.), Social Structure, Aging and Self-Regulation. New York: Springer.

Neupert, S., Almeida, D.M., Mroczek, D.K. & Spiro, A. (2006). The effects of the Columbia Shuttle disaster on the daily lives of older adults: Findings from the VA Normative Aging Study. Aging & Mental Health, 10(3), 272-281.

Ridley, A.C., Cates, R.M., Collins, D.M., Reesing, A.L., Lucero, A.A., Gilson, M.S., & Almeida, D.M. (2006). The ebb and flow of marital lust: Intrapersonal and interpersonal perspectives. Sex Roles.

Almeida, D. M., & Neiss, M. (2006). Age differences in daily weekly and monthly reports of affective distress: Social influences on adult personality, self-regulation, and health. In L. Carstensen & K. W. Schaie (Eds.), Social Structure, Aging and Self-Regulation. New York: Springer.

Charles, S. T., & Almeida, D. M. (2006). The relation between health and negative affect: Not all symptoms are created equal. Psychology and Health, 21, 1-17.

Mroczek, D. K., Almeida, D. M., Spiro, A. III, & Pafford, C. (2006). Modeling intraindividual stability and change in personality. In D. K. Mroczek, & T. D. Little (Eds.), Handbook of Personality Development. (pp. 163-180). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Neupert, S. D., Almeida, D. M., Mroczek, D. K., & Spiro, A. III. (2006). Daily stressors and memory failures ina naturalistic setting: Findings from the VA Normative Aging Study. Psychology and Aging, 21, 242-24.

Almeida, D. M. (2005). Resilience and vulnerability to daily stressors assessed via diary methods. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14(2), 62-68.
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Almeida, D. M., & McDonald, D. A. (2005). The national story: How Americans spend their time on work, family and community. In J. Heymann & C. Beem (Eds.), Unfinished work: Building equality and democracy in an era of working famliies (pp. 180-203). New York, NY: New Press.

Birditt, K. S., Fingerman, K. L., & Almeida, D. M. (2005). Age differences in exposure and reactions to interpersonal tensions: A daily diary study. Psychology & Aging, 20(2), 330-340.
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Almeida, D. M., Neupert, S. D., Banks, S. R., & Serido, J. (2005). Do daily stress processes account for socioeconomic health disparities. Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 60B(Special Issue II), 34-39.
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Mallers, M.C., Almeida, D.M., & Neupert, S.D. (2005). Women's daily physical health symptoms and stressful experiences across adulthood. Psychology & health, 20(3), 389-403.

Almeida, D. M., & McDonald, D. (2005). The time Americans spend working for pay, caring for families, and contributing to communities. In J. Heymann (Ed.) Unfinished Work: Balancing equality and democracy in an era of working families (pp. 180-203). New York: The New Press.

Almeida, D. M., & Horn, M. C. (2004). Is daily life more stressful during middle adulthood? In O. G. Brim & C. D. Ryff & R. C. Kessler (Eds.), How healthy are we?: A national study of well-being at midlife (pp. 425-451). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
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Neiss, M. & Almeida, D. M. (2004). Age differences in the heritability of mean and intraindividual variation of psychological distress. Gerontology, 50, 22-27.
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Serido, J., Almeida, D. M., & Wethington, E. (2004). Chronic stressors and daily hassles: unique and interactive relationships with psychological distress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 45, 17-33.
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Almeida, D. M. (2004). Using daily diaries to assess temporal friction between work and family. In A. C. Crouter & A. Booth (Eds.), Work-family challenges for low income parents and their children (pp. 127-136). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Earlbaum Associates.
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Grzywacz, J. G., Almeida, D. M., Neupert, S. D., & Ettner, S. L. (2004). Socioeconomic status and health: A micro-level analysis of exposure and vulnerability to daily stressors. Journal of Health & Social Behavior, 45(March), 1-16.
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McDonald, D. A., & Almeida, D. M. (2004). The interweave of fathers' daily work experiences and fathering behaviors. Fathering, 2, 235-251.
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Mroczek, D. K., & Almeida, D. M. (2004). The effect of daily stress, personality, and age on daily negative affect. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 72(2), 355-378.
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Almeida, D. M., McGonagle, K. A., Kessler, R. C., & Wethington, E. (2003). Psychological moderators of emotional reactivity of marital arguments: Results from a daily diary study. Marriage and Family Review, 34, 89-113.

Almeida, D.M., McGonagle, K.A., Cate, R.C., Kessler, R.C., & Wethington E. (2003). Psychosocial moderators of emotional reactivity of marital arguments: Results from a daily diary study. Marriage and Family Review, 34, 89-113.

Mroczek, D. K., Spiro, A. I., & Almeida, D. M. (2003). Between- and within-person variation in affect and personality over days and years: How basic and applied approaches can inform one another. Ageing International, 28(3), 260-278.
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Almeida, D. M., McGonagle, K. A., Cate, R., Kessler, R. C., & Wethington, E. (2003). Psychosocial modifiers of the relationship between marital arguments and daily mood. Marriage and Family Review, 34, 89-113. Reprinted in Fabes (Ed.) Emotions and the family. The Hawthorne Press.

Galambos, N. L., Vitusky, E., & Almeida, D. M. (2003). Parents do matter: Trajectories of change in externalizing and internalizing problems in early adolescence. Child Development, 74, 578-594.

Almeida, D. M., Wethington, E., & Kessler, R. C. (2002). The daily inventory of stressful events (DISE): An interview-based approach for measuring daily stressors. Assessment, 9(1), 41-55.
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Grzywacz, J. G., Almeida, D. M., & McDonald, D. A. (2002). Work-family spillover and daily reports of work and family stress in the adult labor force. Family Relations, 51(1), 28-36.
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Wethington, E., Almeida, D., Brown, G. W., Frank, E., & Kessler, R. C. (2001). The assessment of stressor exposure. In A. Vingerhoets (Ed.), Assessment in behavioral medicine. New York: Taylor & Francis.
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Almeida, D. M., McDonald, D. A., Havens, J., & Schervish, P. (2001). Temporal patterns in social responsibility. In A. Rossi (Ed.), Caring and doing for others: Social responsibility in the domains of family, work, and community (pp. 135-156). Chicago, IL, US: University of Chicago Press.
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Almeida, D. M., Wethington, E., & McDonald, D. A. (2001). Daily variation in paternal engagement and negative mood: Implications for emotionally supportive and conflictual interactions. Journal of Marriage & the Family, 63(2), 417-429.
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Kessler, R. C., Almeida, D. M., Berglund, P., & Stang, P. (2001). Pollen and mold exposure impairs the work performance of employees with allergic rhinitis. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 87, 289-295.
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