Kristin D. Mickelson received her doctorate in social psychology from Carnegie Mellon University in 1995 and completed her postdoctoral training at the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan and the Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard School of Medicine. Prior to joining Arizona State University in 2014, she was an assistant and associate professor in the Departments of Psychology and Sociology at Kent State University. Currently, Mickelson is serving as Assistant Dean of Data Analytics & Graduate Program Performance in the Graduate College, as well as a Professor of Psychology in the School of Social & Behavioral Sciences.
Professor Mickelson's research is interdisciplinary, with special emphases on social and health psychology. She utlilizes both sociological and psychological literature to inform her research questions. Mickelson's scholarly work examines the role of stressors and psychosocial factors on relationship functioning and health. She has investigated how various dimensions of stressors affect social support processes, as well as the role of contextual factors such as socioeconomic status on the stress-social support-health relationship. Specifically, she is interested in the social distribution of social support processes and whether these can help to explain the differential vulnerability to life events. Her current research is focused on three areas: 1) gender differences in the risk and protective factors for postpartum distress in couples making the transition to parenthood; 2) race/ethnic differences in low birthweight and the role of discrimination and resilience; and 3) using social media as a source of coping and support.
Mickelson's research has been widely cited and she has published in a variety of journals, including the Journal of Marriage and Family, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Sex Roles, Social Science and Medicine, and Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology.
Her areas of teaching specialization include social psychology, interpersonal relationships, psychology of gender, social inequalities, multivariate statistics and supervision of undergraduate research experiences.
Education
Ph.D. Social Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University 1995
M. S. Social Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University 1993
Dr. Mickelson's research revolves around a core theme of social relationships in a social context - specifically, understanding how stress impacts social relationships and health. She is interested in how these processes are altered by various social contexts, such as socioeconomic status and gender. Her research over the years has covered topics including perceived stigma, discrimination, gender attitudes and social support. Her current research is focused on 1) psychosocial models of SES disparities in low birth weight, 2) understanding the transition to parenthood for fathers and mothers, and 3) using social media for support and coping. To address these questions, she utilizes field research and secondary data.
Seely, H.D., & Mickelson, K.D. (in press). Why regulate? Understanding the role of perceived parental emotion regulation in offspring emotional development. Family Relations.
Mostoller, A., & Mickelson, K.D. (2024). Masculinity and mental well-being: The role of stigma surrounding seeking help for mental illness. Sex Roles, 90, 353-362. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-024-01457-2
Schodt, K. & Mickelson, K.D. (2023). Emotion expressivity and regulation in romantic relationships: The role of social anxiety. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000249
Eller, J., Girme, Y. U., Don, B. P., Rholes, W. S., Mickelson, K. D., & Simpson, J. A. (2023). Here one time, gone the next: Fluctuations in support received and provided predict changes in relationship satisfaction across the transition to parenthood. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 124(5), 971-1000. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000408
Mickelson, K.D., Doehrman, P., Chambers, C., Seely, H., Kaneris, M., Stancl, R., Stewart, C., & Sullivan, S. (2022). Role of discrimination and resilience on birth weight: A systematic examination in a sample of Black, Latina and White Women. Women’s Health, 18, 1-13. DOI: 10.1177/17455057221093927
Don, B. P., Eller, J. Simpson, J. A., Fredrickson, B. L., Algoe, S. B., Rholes, S., & Mickelson, K.D. (2022) New parental positivity: The role of positive emotions in promoting relational adjustment during the transition to parenthood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 123(1), 84-106. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000371
Shufford, K., Hall, D., Randall, A. Braunstein, B., O'Brien, M.,& Mickelson, K.D. (2021). Connected while apart: Association between social distancing, computer-mediated communication frequency, and positive affect during COVID-19. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 38(10), 2906–2920.
Seely, H.D., & Mickelson, K.D. (2021). Role of gender and emotionality stigma in perceived parental emotion dysregulation and mental health. Sex Roles,85(9-10), 515-527. DOI:10.1007/s11199-021-01237-2
Nelson-Coffey, S.K., O’Brien, M.M., Braunstein, B.M., Mickelson, K.D., & Ha, T. (2021). Health behavior adherence and emotional adjustment during the COVID-19 pandemic in a US nationally representative sample: The roles of prosocial motivation and gratitude. Social Science & Medicine, 284, 114243. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114243.
Quiroz, S., & Mickelson, K.D. (2021). Are online behaviors damaging our in-person connections? Passive versus active social media use on romantic relationships. Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 15(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.5817/CP2021-1-1
Baumel, K., Hamlett, M., Wheeler, B., Hall, D., Randall, A.K., & Mickelson, K. (2021). Living through COVID-19: Social distancing, computer-mediated communication, and well-being in LGBQ and heterosexual individuals. Journal of Homosexuality, 68(4), 673-691. DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2020.1868190
Seely, H. & Mickelson, K.D. (2019). Maternal resilience as a protective factor between financial stress and child outcomes. Journal of Family Issues, 40, 1604-1626.
Gordon, A.E., & Mickelson, K.D. (2018). Couple-level predictors of perceived fairness during pregnancy in first-time parents. Journal of Family Issues, 39, 55-77.
Mickelson, K.D., & Biehle, S.N. (2017). Gender and the transition to parenthood: Introduction to the special issue. Sex Roles, 76, 271-275.
Mickelson, K.D., Biehle, S., Chong, A., & Gordon, A.E. (2017). Perceived stigma of postpartum depression in first-time parents: A dual-pathway model. Sex Roles, 76, 306-318.
Chong, A., Biehle, S.N., Kooiman, L.Y., & Mickelson, K.D. (2016). Postnatal depression: The role of breastfeeding efficacy, breastfeeding duration, and family-work conflict. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 40, 518-531.
Chong, A., & Mickelson, K.D. (2016). Perceived fairness and relationship satisfaction during the transition to parenthood: The mediating role of spousal support. Journal of Family Issues, 37, 3-28.
Mickelson, K.D., & Hazlett, E. (2014). “Why me?”: Low-income women’s poverty attributions, depression, and social class perceptions. Sex Roles, 71, 319-332.
Don, B. P., Chong, A. K., Biehle, S. N., Gordon, A. & Mickelson, K. D. (2014). Anxiety across the transition to parenthood: Change trajectories among low-risk parents. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 27, 633-649.
Don, B.P., & Mickelson, K.D. (2014). Relationship satisfaction across the transition to parenthood: Most parents demonstrate little change. Journal of Marriage and Family, 76, 677-692.
Don, B.P., Mickelson, K.D., & Barbee, A.P. (2013). Indirect support seeking and perceptions of spousal support: A reciprocal relationship? Personal Relationships, 20, 655-668.
Don, B.P., Biehle, S.N., & Mickelson, K.D. (2013). Feeling like part of a team: Perceived parenting agreement among first-time parents. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 30, 1121-1137.
Mickelson, K. D., Chong, A., & Don, B.P. (2013). To thine own self be true: Impact of gender role and attitude mismatch on new mothers’ mental health. In J. Marich (Ed.), Psychology of Women:Diverse Perspectives from the Modern World (pp. 1-15). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers.
Gaines, S. O., Williams, S. L., & Mickelson, K. D. (2013). Communication within Culturally Diverse Families. In A. Vangelisti (Ed.), Handbook of Family Communication (2nd edition, pp. 205-221). New York: Taylor & Francis/Routledge.
Don, B.P., & Mickelson, K.D. (2012). Paternal postpartum depression: The role of maternal postpartum depression, spousal support and relationship satisfaction. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 1, 323-334.
Biehle, S.N. & Mickelson, K.D. (2012). Provision and receipt of emotional spousal support: The impact of visibility on well-being. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 1, 244-251.
Mickelson, K.D., & Joseph, J.A. (2012). Postpartum body satisfaction and intimacy in first-time parents. Sex Roles, 67, 300-310.
Biehle, S. N., & Mickelson, K. D. (2012). First-time parents’ expectations about the division of childcare and play. Journal of Family Psychology, 26, 36-45.
Kristin D. Mickelson. Does Support Source Matter for Poor Women's Health?: An Examination of Support Substitution Theory. Psi Beta Induction Ceremony (Nov 2014).
Kooiman, L.Y., Chong-Kiskowski, A., Biehle, S.N., & Mickelson, K.D. Investigating breastfeeding expectations and efficacy in first-time mothers. Midwestern Psychological Association Conference (May 2014).
Schumacher, C., Biehle, S.N., Don, B.P., & Mickelson, K.D. Argument topics and frequency in first-time mothers and fathers. Midwestern Psychological Association Conference (May 2014).
Mickelson, K.D., & Hazlett, E. "Why me": Low-income women’s poverty attributions, depression, and social class perceptions. 15th Annual Society for Personality and Social Psychology Conference (Feb 2014).
Chong, A. & Mickelson, K.D. The Moderating Role of Distance in the Link between Social Support and Mental Health in the Transition to Parenthood. 6th International Association for Relationship Research Conference (Jul 2012).
Don, B. & Mickelson, K.D. Relationship Satisfaction Across the Transition to Parenthood: Do All New Parents Experience Declines?. 6th International Association for Relationship Research Conference (Jul 2012).
Rife, S. & Mickelson, K.D. Stress and Support Seeking in a Sample of Low-Income Women. 6th International Association for Relationship Research Conference (Jul 2012).
Rife, S. & Mickelson, K.D., Kosinski, M., & Stillwell, D. Facebook Networks and Local Population Parameters. 6th International Association for Relationship Research Conference (Jul 2012).
Editorships
Guest Editor:
Sex Roles, Special Issue: "Gender and the Transition to Parenthood" (2017, Volume 76, Issue 5-6)
Editorial Board Member:
Sex Roles, 2016-present
Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2011 – 2014
Service
Journal of Family Psychology, Ad Hoc Reviewer (2014 - Present)
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences Awards Committee, Chair (2014 - Present)
Population Research and Policy Review, Ad Hoc Reviewer (2014 - Present)
Social Problems, Ad Hoc Reviewer (2014 - Present)
European Journal of Social Psychology, Ad Hoc Reviewer (2014 - Present)