Department of psychology

About the DepartmentDepartment Resources For Our Alumni & Friends Participate in Research

Douglas L. Delahanty , Ph.D.

Education: Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh (1997)

Research Interests

Our lab conducts basic research examining early biological predictors of psychopathology (posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] and depression) following traumatic events in children and adults. We also examine the impact of trauma history and PTSD on various disease samples (HIV+, surgical patients). Our research focus is translational, involving building on our basic findings to conduct psychological and pharmacological interventions to reduce/prevent the development of PTSD.

Lab Page : Human Psychophysiology Lab

Courses Frequently Taught

• Biopsychology (undergraduate)
• Biopsychology (graduate)
• Biological Aspects of Health Psychology (graduate)

Recent Publications

Delahanty, D.L., Nugent, N.R. (2006). Predicting PTSD prospectively based on prior trauma history and immediate biological responses. In Psychobiology of posttraumatic stress disorders: A decade of progress. Yehuda, R. (Ed). Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing, 27-40.

Nugent, N.R., Christopher, N.C., & Delahanty, D.L. (2006). Emergency medical service and in hospital vital signs and subsequent PTSD symptoms in child trauma victims. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47(9), 919-926.

Nugent, N. R. Ostrowski, S. A., Christopher, N. C., & Delahanty, D. L. (2007). Parental symptoms of PTSD as a moderator of child's acute biological response and subsequent symptoms of PTSD in pediatric trauma patients. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. 32, 309-318.

Ostrowski, S. A., Christopher, N. C., & Delahanty, D. L. (2007). Brief report: The Impact of maternal posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and child gender on risk for persistent posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in child trauma victims. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 338-342.

Delahanty, D. L. (2007). Are we prepared to handle the mental health consequences of terrorism? American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(2), 189-191.

Kobayashi, I., Boarts, J. M., & Delahanty, D. L. (2007). Polysomnographically measured sleep abnormalities in PTSD: A meta-analytic review. Psychophysiology, 44, 660- 669.

Deichert, N., Fekete, E., Boarts, J., Druley, J., & Delahanty, D. (In press) Emotional support and affect: associations with health behaviors and active coping efforts in men living with HIV. Aids & Behavior.

Ostrowski, S.A., Christopher, N.C, Van Dulmen, M.H. & Delahanty, D.L. (in press). Acute Child and Mother Psychophysiological Responses and Subsequent PTSD Following a Child's Traumatic Event. Journal of Traumatic Stress.

Boarts, J.M., Buckley-Fischer, B.A., Armelie, A.P., Bogart, L.M., Delahanty, D.L. (in press). The impact of HIV diagnosis-related versus non-diagnosis related trauma on PTSD, depression, medication adherence, and HIV disease markers. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work.

Johnson, D. M., Delahanty, D., & Pinna, K. (in press). The cortisol awakening response.