Karen L. Siedlecki PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
The Taub Institute
630 West 168th Street
New York, NY 10032
Phone: 212-342-1088
Fax: 212-342-1838
E-mail: ks2513@columbia.edu
Ongoing Research:
Aging and Memory: My current research focuses on investigating the relations among age and different types of memory, using a statistical technique known as latent variable modeling, or structural equation modeling. One assumption often made in cognitive aging research is that differences between old and young groups are merely quantitative, not qualitative. An important aspect of my work focuses on substantiating this assumption with empirical data.
Cognition and Dementia: I am also interested in investigating the differences in the relations among cognitive variables between those participants who are cognitively-healthy and those who have been diagnosed with dementia.
Subjective well-being research: "Successful aging" is a term used in the literature that is often defined in terms of cognitive or physical functioning. There are well documented declines in our cognitive and physical capabilities with increased age. Subjective well-being research has consistently shown that despite these declines in functioning, increased age is not associated with a decline in life satisfaction. These findings therefore suggest that another important component of successful aging may be how happy you are, and how satisfied you are with your life. Some of my research has examines the relations among life satisfaction, predictors of life satisfaction, and age. See this website for a story on some of my recent research:
http://www.miller-mccune.com/health/old-and-happy-it%E2%80%99s-a-matter-of-attitude-809
I am currently collecting data for a new study examining the relationships among a variety of social and personality factors, including the influence of different sources of social support. The study involves completing an on-line survey that takes about 10-20 minutes to complete. To participate, simply click on the link below (or cut and paste into your browser). Participation in the survey is voluntary, confidential, and anonymous.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=BGd3kCnG4XvmraxqVqGEZQ_3d_3d
To participate in other psychology studies on-line, go to:
http://psych.hanover.edu/research/exponnet.html
Representative Publications
Siedlecki, K.L., Stern, Y., Reuben, A., Sacco, R.L., Elkind, M.S.V., & Wright, C.B. (in press). Construct validity of cognitive reserve in a multi-ethnic cohort: the Northern Manhattan Study. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.
Gerstorf, D., Siedlecki, K.L., Tucker-Drob, E.M., & Salthouse, T.A. (in press). Within-person variability in state anxiety across adulthood: Magnitude and associations with between-person characteristics. International Journal of Behavioral Development.
Ottowitz, W.E., Siedlecki, K.L., Lindquist, M.A., Dougherty, D.D., Fischman, A. J., & Hall, J.E. (in press). Analysis of prefrontal-hippocampal effective connectivity during estrogen infusion: An FDG-PET study. Psychoneuroendocrinology.
Siedlecki, K.L., Honig, L.S., & Stern, Y. (2008). The structure of a neuropsychological battery across healthy elders and those with questionable dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Neuropsychology, 22, 400-411.
Siedlecki, K.L., Tucker-Drob, E.M., Oishi, S., & Salthouse, T.A. (2008). Life satisfaction across adulthood: Different determinants at different ages? The Journal of Positive Psychology, 3, 153-164.
Siedlecki, K.L. (2007). Investigating the structure and age invariance of episodic memory across the adult lifespan. Psychology and Aging, 22, 251-268.
Salthouse, T.A., & Siedlecki, K.L. (2007). An individual differences analysis of false recognition. American Journal of Psychology, 120, 429-458.
Teachman, B.A., Siedlecki, K.L., & Magee, J.C. (2007). Aging and symptoms of anxiety and depression: Structural invariance of the tripartite model. Psychology and Aging, 22, 160-170.
Salthouse, T.A., Siedlecki, K.L., & Krueger, L.E. (2006). An individual differences analysis of memory control. Journal of Memory and Language, 55, 102-125.
Siedlecki, K.L., Salthouse, T.A., & Berish, D.E. (2005). Is there anything special about the aging of source memory? Psychology and Aging, 20, 19-32.
Salthouse, T.A., Berish, D.E., & Siedlecki, K.L. (2004). Construct validity and age sensitivity of prospective memory. Memory & Cognition, 32, 1133-1148.