Matt Bradshaw’s research focuses on three interrelated topics:
I. Gene-Environment Interplay and Health: Matt’s research in this area employs twin sibling models and molecular genetic techniques to examine how genes and environments work together in correlated and interactive ways to affect health. He is currently working on a paper examining genetic, psychological, and sociological explanations for gender differences in depressive symptoms.
II. Genetic and Environmental Influences on Religious Beliefs and Behaviors: In previous research, Matt has shown that genetic and environmental influences both contribute to individual differences on a variety of religious outcomes including service attendance, personal religious salience, spirituality, conservative beliefs, and transformation such as being born-again. His current work in this area has two goals: to understand the pathways by which genetic factors operate; and to examine whether they interact with environmental contexts.
III. The Religion-Health Connection: Matt has published several papers showing that religious participation buffers against the deleterious effects of financial hardship and other forms of stress on mental health. His current work in this area seeks to understand the specific ways in which religion serves this function.
Areas of Interest
Biodemography Gene-Environment Interplay Health Religion Stratification Stress
Recent Publications
Christopher G. Ellison, Matt Bradshaw, and Cheryl A. Roberts.
(2011).
Spiritual and Religious Identities Predict the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among US Adults.
Preventive Medicine
.
(Forthcoming)
Christopher G. Ellison, Matt Bradshaw, Kuyel, Nilay, and Jack P. Marcum.
(2011).
Attachment to God, Stressful Life Events, and Changes in Psychological Distress.
Review of Religious Research
.
(Forthcoming)
Christopher G. Ellison, Matt Bradshaw, Jennifer Storch, Jack P. Marcum, and Terrence D. Hill.
(2011).
Religious Doubts and Sleep Quality.
Review of Religious Research
.
(Forthcoming)
Matt Bradshaw, and Christopher G. Ellison.
(2010).
Financial Hardship and Psychological Distress: Exploring the Buffering Effects of Religion.
Social Science & Medicine
,
71
,
196-204.
Matt Bradshaw, Christopher G. Ellison, and Jack P. Marcum.
(2010).
Attachment to God, Images of God, and Psychological Distress in a Nationwide Sample of Presbyterians.
International Journal for the Psychology of Religion
