Graduate Programs in Psychology

Pepperdine Applied Research Center

Couples, Family and Children Research Lab

In Dr. Eldridge's Dissertation lab, past and current research topics include:

• Concordance between therapists' self-reports and neutral observers' ratings of adherence to marital therapy - Arlene Cruz, M.A.
• Mixed-methods analysis of clients' perceptions of the most and least helpful aspects of couple therapy - Jessica Nelson, PsyD.
• Descriptive and quantitative analysis of problem areas, communication patterns, and outcomes in couple therapy - Diana Olarte, M.A.
• A qualitative analysis of acceptance-promoting couple interactions in Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy - Laura D. Wiedeman, PsyD.

Additional interest areas of Dr. Eldridge and Dr. Hall include:

• Couple therapy process and outcome
• Demand-withdraw communication in couples
• Multicultural similarities and differences in demand-withdraw communication
• Infidelity
• Stages of change among couples and adolescents in therapy
• Religiosity/spirituality in marriage and in youth
• Developmentally and contextually appropriate assessment and treatment of children and adolescents