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Jonah Kracke-Bock:  I am a fifth-year doctoral student in the Applied Social Psychology doctoral program. My research focuses on two primary areas; physical activity (PA) and substance use and misuse. In the context of PA, my research investigates how to leverage aspects of Self-Determination Theory and affect-related theories to improve individuals’ motivation to engage in PA. I am also conducting research on how to promote strength-training as a means of delaying or preventing early onset sarcopenia. In the realm of substance use, my current research focuses on how attributions influence attitudes towards individuals with Opioid Use Disorder and medication-assisted treatment practices. Additionally, I recently completed a scoping review of the literature applying Self-Determination Theory to the context of substance use, misuse, and treatment. My dissertation focuses on integrating the Self-Determination Theory framework with current stress frameworks by examining whether subjective vitality functions as a coping resource and subsequently alters stress appraisals. Ultimately, I hope this research can be used to guide the design of effective interventions and public policies aimed at promoting physical activity and improving treatment outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders.

Publications and Working Papers:

  1.  AuBuchon, K. E., Kracke-Bock, J., Dodge, T., Stock, M. L., & Blanton, H. (2021). Abstaining College Students’ Motives to Use E-Cigarettes: A Brief Report. Journal of Studies on  Alcohol and Drugs, 82(6), 801-806. http://dx.doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2021.82.801
  2. Dodge, T., Vaylay, S., & Kracke-Bock, J. (2022) Subjective Vitality: A Benefit of Self-Directed, Leisure Time Physical Activity. Journal of Happiness Studies, 23, 2903-2922.
  3. Dodge, T., Hoffman, R. K., Kracke-Bock, J., Jaccard, J. J., & Stock, M. L. (2023). How does being under the influence affect willingness to experience overlapping effects of alcohol and marijuana?. Substance Use & Misuse, 58(12), 1483-1492.
  4. Kracke-Bock, J., Herchenroeder, L., Rentia, S., & Dodge, T. (2022) How is Self-Determination Theory being applied to Substance Use, Abuse, and Treatment? A Mixed-Methods  Scoping Review of the Literature. Under Review.
  5. Kracke-Bock, J., Dodget, T., & Rentia, S. (2023). The Influence of Initiation Context on Attributions towards Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder. Under Review.

Harini Krishnamurti: I am a second-year doctoral student in the Applied Social Psychology doctoral program. Currently, my research pursuits are two-fold. My first line of research examines the motivational processes underlying the engagement and disengagement with physical activity among different population groups (e.g., primary care patients, young adults, students). I am currently assisting on lab projects that explore a variety of affective experiences involved in physical activity (e.g., feeling energized, feeling less tired), and I hope my dissertation will explore these mechanisms further as a reinforcement for next-day physical activity. My second line of research focuses on beliefs and attitudes that influence risk perceptions towards substance use behaviors such as heavy alcohol use and recreational marijuana use. I am particularly interested in developing interventions that target risk beliefs and attitudes to reduce intentions to engage in health risk behaviors. Prior to my time at GW, I worked as a full-time research assistant in a large-scale substance use intervention for the homeless population at The University of Texas Health Science Center Houston TX. I also received my M.S. in Psychology from William & Mary in 2021, where my research focused on eating behavior from a social identity perspective.

Publications and Working Papers:

  1. Nezlek, J. B., Forestell, C. A., & Krishnamurti, H. (2023). Spontaneous verbal descriptions of vegans, non-vegan vegetarians, and omnivores and relationships between these descriptions and perceivers’ diets. Plos One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293899
  2. Krishnamurti H. & Forestell (Under Review). The Role of Vegetarianism, Gender, and Food Choice Motivations on Vegetable Intake among University Students. Journal of American College Health. 
  3. Krishnamurti, H., & Dodge, T. (2023). How does feeling anxious and lonely impact of simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use. Working paper.

Undergraduate Research Assistants (Fall 2023-Spring 2024)

  • Saba Rentia (Fall 2023, Spring 2024)
  • Logan Rasso (Spring 2024)
  • Emily Schoen (Fall 2023, Spring 2024)
  • Emma Tetrault (Fall 2023, Spring 2024)
  • Courtney Blumberg (Fall 2023, Spring 2024)
  • Jordan Strain (Spring 2024)
  • Lily Vidra (Spring 2024)
  • Lilly Wuertz (Spring 2024)
  • Valerie Clabaugh (Spring 2024)
  • Edwin Kung (Spring 2024)
  • Bea Corio (Spring 2024)
  • Connor Fox-Moore (Spring 2024)
  • Sean Nicholson (Fall 2023)
  • Mathew Murray (Fall 2023)
  • Jules Pal (Fall 2023)
  • Emma Walsh (Fall 2023)
  • Kenneth Candelaria (Fall 2023)
  • Sean Cregan (Fall 2023)