Jonathan Singer, Ph.D

Current and Previous Funding

Current Funding

Title:Individual Mental Health Treatment and Respite for Hispanic Informal Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia.
Sponsor: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-TTUHSC
Role: Co-PI

Title: Investigating Death with Dignity in Patients and their Caregivers Before and After the Death.
Sponsor: Department of Health Washington State
Role: Co-PI

Title: Improving mental health in informal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients.
Sponsor: Garrison Foundation
Role: PI

Title: Investigating coping and pre-death grief in individuals with stage 4 cancer and their caregivers
Sponsor: Anderson Innovation Pilot Award
Role: Co-PI

Title: Examining Distinct Neural Mechanisms Related to Pre-death Grief in Family member of Individuals with Dementia
Sponsor: Texas Tech University Neuroimaging Institute Seed Fund
Role: PI

 

Research Interests

My research projects inform the work of the GRILL (Grief and Responses to Illness into Late Life) lab.

The GRILL Lab investigates psychological health in aging and illness. More specifically, we examine the interconnection of the biopsychosocial processes within individuals with life limiting illnesses (e.g., cancer; dementia) and their caregivers. Using multiple methods (e.g., Ecological Momentary Assessment) with advanced quantitative techniques (e.g., Multilevel Modeling; Growth Mixture Modeling), the ultimate goal of our research program is to translate basic and applied research into scalable, technology-based interventions.

Some current projects are outlined below:

1. Examine coping and pre-death grief with patients with sarcoma and their caregivers
2. Assess pre-death grief in caregivers of individuals who had a transplant
3. Identify Advanced Practice Providers' opinions toward engaging in death with dignity
4. Explore demographics, medical history, and clinical experience of adult cancer patients who have inquired about and/or requested death with dignity
5. Identify trajectories and momentary changes of post stroke depression, fatigue, and pain
6. Assess if there are differences in post stroke depression, fatigue, and pain between Hispanic/Latinx patients and Non-hispanic/White stroke patients
7. Examine health disparities in dementia patients and their caregivers

Selected Research

Singer, J., Breen, L., Loggers, E. L. (2022). Examining Viewpoints of Medical Aid in Dying in the United States: A Vignette Based Study. Palliative and Supportive Care. Online First. https:// doi.org/10.1017/S1478951522000852.

Singer, J., Cummings, C., Coccaro, E. (2022). Parental Separation and Death During Childhood as Predictors of Adult Psychopathology: An Examination of Racial Differences.  Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy. Online First.

Singer, J., Roberts, K., McLean, E**., Wilson, M**., Rogers, M., Coats, T**., Fadalla, C**., Goodwin, K., Lichtenthal. W., Prigerson., H. (2022). An Examination of Grief Prior to Loss in Family Members of Terminally Ill Patients: A Systematic Review. Palliative Medicine.36.https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163221074540.

Singer, J., Shrout, MR., Papa., A. (2022). Rates and Prospective Psychosocial Correlated of Pre-Loss Grief in Cancer and Dementia Family Members. Journal of Health Psychology. 27, 1547-1555. doi:10.1177/1359105321995945. 

McLean, E**., Singer, J., Laurita, E**., Kahler, J., Levin, C., & Papa, A. (2022). Perception of grief responses: Are maladaptive grief responses and the stages of grief considered normal? Death Studies, 46, 1414-1423. doi: 10.1080/07481187.2021.1983890.

Singer, J., & Papa, T. (2021). Preparedness for the Death of an Elderly Family Member: A Possible Protective Factor for Pre-Loss Grief in Informal Caregivers. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2021.104353.

Singer, J., McLean, E**., Kahler, J., Papa, T. (2021). An evaluation of Risk and Protective Factors for Prolonged Grief Disorder using the ICD-11 Criteria. Aging and Mental Health. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2021.1998359.

Singer, J., Spiegel, J., Papa, A. (2020). Pre-Loss Grief in Family Members of COVID-19 Patients: Recommendations for Clinicians and Researchers. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy. doi: 10.1037/tra0000876.