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Education
- 1991, Ph.D., Sociology, Texas A&M University, College Station
- 1985, M.S., Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station
- 1980, B.S., Biology, Depaul University, Chicago
Mind-Body Health Dynamics in Middle and Later Life
Gayle's research explores the proposition that psychological and emotional health are inextricably linked with physical health. Explorations of this proposition are further grounded in the assumption that these linkages are dynamic, changing over the life course and influenced by the individual's capacity to cope effectively with stressful life experiences.
Tests of this proposition have been conducted in collaboration with Dr. Carol Ryff, Dr. Burton Singer, Dr. Daniel Muller, and Dr. Marilyn Essex using data from the Wisconsin Study of Community Relocation and the Life Histories and Health study. The Relocation study is a longitudinal study of women aged 55 and older who made a local move from one independent living situation to another. The first four waves of data collection generated extensive information about psychological health, including positive psychological well-being, social relationships, physical and functional health, and detailed information on significant life events and the emotions associated with them. At Time 5 we added clinical health assessments, and an assessment of immune function. The sixth wave of data collection is in progress, and again includes clinical and immune assessments. The Life Histories and Health study utilizes a subsample of the Wisconsin Longitudinal study. We piloted our protocols for collecting clinical data and assessing immune function with this group of mid-life men and women aged 56-58.
Collaboratively, we have been using these data to develop mechanisms for exploring the influences of cumulative life experience on current, or future, health. For example, using data from the Relocation study we have developed a typology of the process of resilience (the capacity to improve, or maintain, physical and/or mental health despite stressful life experiences) that allows us to define mental and/or physical health trajectories over time. Ongoing work in this area looks at differences in physical health outcomes for persons on improving vs. declining or stable trajectories. Analyses have also focused on elaborating the positive factors comprising the adaptive, protective mechanisms that contribute to resilience. In particular, I have been examining the role of intimacy in spousal relationships in immune function using data from the Life Histories study. Work in this area has demonstrated that persons with good intimacy in multiple dimensions (emotional, sexual, intellectual, recreational) are more likely to have a good immune response to influenza vaccination. Analyses also indicate significant gender differences in the relationship between intimacy and immune function.
Representative Publications
Kwan, C.M.L., Love, G.D., Ryff, C.D., & Essex, M.J. (In Press)The role of self-enhancing evaluations in a successful life transition. Psychology and Aging.
Kling, K.C., Ryff, C.D., Love, G. & Essex, M. (In Press)Exploring the influence of personality on depressive symptoms and self-esteem across a significant life transition. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Hayney, M.S., Love, G.D., Carlberg, B.M., Buck, J.M. & Muller, D. (In Press)Tetanus Seroprevalence among farmers: A preliminary study. The Journal of Rural Health.
Hayney, M.S., Love, G.D., Buck, J. M., Ryff, C.D., Singer, B., & Muller, D. (In Press)The association between psychosocial factors and vaccine induced-cytokine production. Vaccine.
Seeman, T.E., Singer, B.H., Ryff, C.D., Love, G.D., & Levy-Storms, L. (2002). Social relationships gender, and allostatic load across two age cohorts. Psychosomatic Medicine, 64, 395-406.
Seeman, T.E., Singer, B.H., Ryff, C.D., Love, G.D., & Levy-Storms, L. (2002). Social relationships, gender, and allostatic load across two age cohorts. Psychosomatic Medicine, 64, 395-406.
Ryff, C.D., Singer, B., Wing, E.H., & Love, G.D. (2001). Elective affinities and uninvited agonies. Mapping emotion with significant others onto health. . In C.D. Ryff & B.H. Singer (Eds.). Emotion, social relationships and health. New York: Oxford University Press.
Ryff, C.D., Singer, B., Love, G.D. and Essex, M.J. (1998). Resilience in adulthood and later life: Defining features and dynamic processes. J. Lomranz (Ed.), Handbook of mental health and aging. New York: Springer-Verlag..