OUR RESEARCHERS
Jennifer Cheavens
Professor of Psychology | Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Jennifer studies how people can build hope, strengthen relationships, and use their existing strengths to move toward their goals and live meaningful lives.
JENNIFER’S RESEARCH
How can hope and connection help us thrive?
In her Mood and Personality Studies (MAPS) Lab, Jennifer investigates why some people struggle intensely with emotions and relationships, with a focus on depression and borderline personality disorder. Her research examines how people manage emotional responses and how this knowledge can improve psychological treatments.
She also studies how psychological strengths can support well-being and make treatment more effective. Working with hope theory founder C. R. Snyder, she developed Hope Therapy around the idea that hope involves skills people can learn. Her more recent research explores how small acts of kindness can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety while strengthening social connection.
SCIENCE IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Helping others can help us feel more connected
Explore how small acts of kindness may support your own mental health while making a difference in someone else’s day.
Background & Recognition
Jennifer directs Ohio State’s Clinical Psychology doctoral program, serves as Vice Chair of Faculty Development, and co-directs the Jeffrey Schottenstein Program for Resilience. She also supervises therapists in the department’s Dialectical Behavior Therapy clinic.
She has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and co-authored The Science and Application of Positive Psychology. Her honors include Ohio State’s Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching and the George Vaillant Award for Contributions in Positive Clinical Psychology. She partners with the Columbus Foundation’s Center for HumanKindness to bring research on kindness, community, and belonging to the public. Her work has appeared on the Today show, Hidden Brain, CNN, and Forbes, and in Psychology Today.
Conversations & Coverage