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Psychology Research Groups

The Heart, Mind, Spirit, and The Globe Research Institute

Welcome to the Heart, Mind, Spirit, and the Globe Research Institute. My interest in research began with a fascination with how anger and hostility are closely linked to the development of heart disease. The first study I did in my lab showed how when provoked and angry, there is a physiological, affective, cognitive, and behavioral response. This early research also led to the development of a measure of the cognitive self-statements people make when angry - The Anger Cognitions Inventory. Following this early work on anger arousal, I got interested in how people reacted when they were not able to respond in a way that felt comfortable to them. In other words, if people preferred to hide or suppress their response to anger, how would they react if circumstances forced them to do the opposite of what they were comfortable doing? Data from this study showed that being forced to behave in a way that was the opposite of what you preferred led to increased arousal and distress. These data also showed that expression of anger (e.g., arguing) also led to increased distress, regardless of what the person preferred.

Following these early studies, I became intrigued by the idea that context - circumstances also have a strong influence on health. Later studies in my lab focused on the effects of differing life experiences such as immigration, low socioeconomic status, terrorist attacks, and globalization can have on health and functioning. During the course of planning my research studies, my students told me that they were tired of hearing me always talk about circumstances that may harm health and well-being such as anger and stress and poverty; they were interested in understanding what made people strong and resistant to these experiences. Thus began a series of studies in my lab on how spirituality, forgiveness, mindfulness, and practice of yoga and meditation buffer the effects of anger and stress on health and well-being.

There is a series of studies that we have conducted in India exploring the psychosocial and spiritual aspects of globalization. As the world becomes globalized, much attention has been paid to the economic and political aspects of globalization. However, economic and political aspects of life are not the only ones affected by globalization. Globalization leads to myriad changes in psychosocial and spiritual functioning. However, studies on these dimensions of globalization have lagged behind studies on the economic and political changes due to globalization. India represents a traditional culture that is rapidly changing with the advent of globalization. Young people in India are particularly grappling with adapting to cultural traditions and new opportunities.

In general, my work emphasizes the mind-body-spirit and culture connection and the impact of stress on the mental, physical, spiritual health of individuals; communities studied in the lab encompass ethnic groups including Indian, Chinese, and Latinas as they acculturate to the United States. Studies include adolescents, emerging adults, college populations, and community samples. Diverse methodology used in the lab includes experimental studies of stress reactivity, surveys, interviews, and qualitative studies on stress and its psychosocial correlates. Currently there are studies ongoing on stress and health habits amongst college students and stress experienced by Middle-Eastern and Asian immigrant women. International studies in the lab include studies in India on globalization, spirituality, stress, anger, and health among college students and middle school students.

  • Suchday, S., Ruggiero, G.M., Latzer, Y., & Sassaroli, S. (2011). Introduction to Perspectives on Immigration and Terrorism. In Ruggiero, G.M., Sassaroli, S., Latzer, Y., & Suchday, S. (Eds.). Perspectives on Immigration and Terrorism. IOS Press BV: Amsterdam, Netherlands, v-x.

    Suchday, S., & Latzer, Y. (2011). Situational Influences on Sympathy for Radical Beliefs: The contributions of Anger and Socioeconomic Status. In Ruggiero, G.M., Sassaroli, S., Latzer, Y., & Suchday, S. (Eds.). Perspectives on Immigration and Terrorism. IOS Press BV: Amsterdam, Netherlands, 97-104.

    Latzer, Y., & Suchday, S. (2011). Impact of Age at Immigration on Mental Health among Moroccan women in Israel. In Ruggiero, G.M., Sassaroli, S., Latzer, Y., & Suchday, S. (Eds.). Perspectives on Immigration and Terrorism. IOS Press BV: Amsterdam, Netherlands, 62-73.

    Suchday, S., Dzoik, M., Katzenstein, M., Kaplan, E., & Kahan, M. (2012). The effects of yoga and meditation on cardiovascular disease. In Dornelas, E.A. Stress Proof the Heart: Behavioral Interventions for Cardiac Patients, 223-248.

    Lee, C., Suchday, S., Wylie-Rosett, J. (2012). Perceived social support, coping styles, and Chinese immigrants’ cardiovascular response to stress. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 19(2), 174-185. DOI: 10.1007/s12529-011-9156-7

    Lee, C., Suchday, S., Wylie-Rosett, J. (2013). Social support and networks: Cardiovascular responses following recall on immigration stress among Chinese Americans. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. DOI: 10.1007/s10903-013-9955-9

    Suchday, S., Bellehsen, M., Friedberg, J. P., Almeida, M., & Kaplan, E. (2014). Clustering of cardiac risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome and associations with psychosocial distress in a young Asian Indian population. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 37(4), 725–735. doi:10.1007/s10865-013-9521-x

    Suchday, S., Mayson, S., Klepper, J., Meyer, H., & Dziok, M. (2014). Globalizing the Mind: Eastern & Western Perspectives on Meditation. In Singh, N.N. (Ed.) Psychology of Meditation, Springer, New York, 45-64.

    Suchday, S., Hagemann, L., Fruchter, Y., & Frankel, M. (2014). Yoga, meditation, and other alternative methods for wellness: Prevalence and use in the United States. In Gurung, R. (Ed.). Multicultural Approaches to Health and Wellness in America (2 Volumes), 125-150

    Suchday, S., Ramanayake, N.P., Benkhoukha, A., Santoro, A.F., Marquez, C., & Nakao, G. (2014). Ayurveda: An Alternative in the United States. In Gurung, R. (Ed.). Multicultural Approaches to Health and Wellness in America (2 Volumes): Key Issues & Medical Systems, Praeger, 151-170.

    Suchday, S., Frankel, M., Marquez, C., & Seifert, C. (2014). Treatment, intervention, prevention, and supervision. In Moore, B., & Klee, A. (Eds.). EPPP Fundamentals: Review for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, Springer, 205-244.

    Barbarin, O., Torney-Purta, J.V., (alphabetically) Bullock, M., Flattau, P.E., Suchday S., Super, C.M., Tversky, B., Zacks, J. - USNC/Psychology Workshop Planning Committee. (2015). Building Infrastructure for International Collaborative Research in the Social and Behavioral Sciences.

    Suchday, S. (2015). Anger & Globalization among young people in India. New Directions in Child & Adolescent Development, 1, 77-89.

    Suchday, S., Fruchter, Y., Hagemann, L., & Santoro, A.F. (2015). Yoga and Meditation: An antidote to civilization. In Wylie-Rosett, J., & Jhangiani, S.S. Obesity & Disease in an inter-connected world: A systems approach to turn huge challenges into amazing opportunities, 254-280. Bentham, New York.

    Santoro, A. F., Suchday, S., Benkhoukha, A., Ramanayake, N. P., & Kapur, S. (2015). Adverse childhood experiences and religiosity/spirituality in emerging adolescents in India. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. Advance online publication.

    Suchday, S., Benkhoukha, A., & Santoro, A.F. (2016). Globalization & Media: A Mediator between Terrorism & Fear: A Post 9/11 Perspective. In Chadee, D. (Editor). Psychology of Fear, Crime, and the Media: International Perspectives. Routledge, New York, NY.

    Yeh, M., Heo, M., Suchday, S., Wong, A., Poon, M.D., Liu, G., Wylie-Rosett, J. (2016). Translation of Diabetes Prevention Program for diabetes reduction in Chinese Immigrants in New York City. Diabetic Medicine, 33(4), 547–551. DOI: 10.1111/dme.12848.

    Suchday, S., Santoro, A.F., Ramanayake, N., Lewin, H., & Almeida, M. (Accepted, 2017). Impact of Globalization & Life Beliefs among Urban Asian Indian Youth. Psychology of Religion & Spirituality. Special Issue on Indian Religion & Spirituality.

  • Suchday, S., & Tripathi, R.C. (February 2016). From Violence to building bridges of peace. Symposium at the National Academy of Psychology, Allahabad, India.

    Suchday, S. (February 2016). Anger and adversity among young people in India. Paper presented at the National Academy of Psychology, Allahabad, India.

    Suchday, S. (February, 2016). (Discussant). Psychological Science & Violence: A Global Call to Action. Symposium organized at Pace University, New York. Co-Sponsored by the US National Committee for Psychological Science & the International Union of Psychological Sciences Task Force on the United Nations.

    Suchday, S., & Santoro, A.F. (March, 2016). Globalization, Lifestyles, and Spirituality: Karma & Dharma. Paper - Invited Symposium on Indian Spirituality and Religion: Well-Being, Resilience, and Emerging International Collaboration (Chair: Doug Oman, Discussant: Kevin L. Ladd) at the American Psychological Association’s mid-year conference of Div 36 - Psychology of Spirituality & Religiosity, Brooklyn, NY.

    Santoro, A.F., & Suchday, S. (March, 2016). Adversity and Spiritual Development in Hindu Adolescents: Cultural Nuances and Differences by Gender. Paper - Invited Symposium on Indian Spirituality and Religion: Well-Being, Resilience, and Emerging International Collaboration (Chair: Doug Oman, Discussant: Kevin L. Ladd) at the American Psychological Association’s mid-year conference of Div 36 - Psychology of Spirituality & Religiosity, Brooklyn, NY.

    Dong, S., Resnick, L. T., Santoro, A. F., & Suchday, S.S. (2016, March). Self-forgiveness, forgiveness of others, and perceived stress in Indian college-aged girls. Poster session presented at the annual conference of the Eastern Psychological Association, New York, NY.

    Verhoeven, H. & Suchday, S.S. (2016, March). Examining the relationship between weight concerns, perceived stress and sociotropy in Indian adolescent girls. Poster session presented at the annual conference of the Eastern Psychological Association, New York, NY.

    Suchday, S., Young, J., & Chadee, D. (May, 2016). Challenging neighborhoods and affective distress in a multi-ethnic sample in Trinidad. Paper presented as part of a Symposium on “Exploring Causes of Fear of Crime From a Social Psychological Perspective”, Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.

    Verhoeven, H. & Suchday, S.S. (2016, May). Examining the cardiovascular recovery effects of coloring following negative affect provocation. Poster session presented at the 24th Annual Pace University Psychology Conference, New York, NY.

    Dong, S., Suchday, S.S. (2016, May). Help seeking comfort, perceived stress, and social support in Asian youths. Paper presented at 24th Annual Pace University Psychology Conference, New York, NY.

    Resnick, L.T., & Suchday, S. S. (2016, May). Examining the relationship between coping style awareness and trait anxiety. Poster session presented at the 24th annual Pace University Psychology Conference, New York, NY.

    Stein, D. & Suchday, S.S. (2016, May). Effects of a brief mindfulness intervention on psychological well-being and cardiovascular variables. Poster session presented at the 24th Annual Pace University Psychology Conference, New York, NY.

    Suchday, S. (Chair). (July, 2016). Scientific Inquiry of Violence: Context and Character. Invited Symposium organized at the International Congress of Psychology, Yokohama, Japan.

    Suchday, S. (July, 2016). Collectivism, Globalization, & Anger among Young People in India. Paper presented as part of the invited Symposium organized at the International Congress of Psychology, Yokohama, Japan.

    Suchday, S. (August, 2016). Biopsychosocial Approach to Globalization Stress. Presented Colloquium to Students and Faculty across the Institution, FLAMES, Pune, INDIA.

    Suchday, S. (August, 2016). Stress in a Global World: Youth in Urban India. Presented Colloquium to Students and Faculty across the Institution, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, INDIA.

    Suchday, S. (August, 2016). Psychology and Spirituality in the Indian Tradition. Presented Colloquium to Psychology students at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, INDIA.

    Dong, S., Santoro, A. F., & Suchday, S.S. (2016, August). Independent and interdependent self-construal, stress, and cigarette and alcohol use in Indian girls. Poster presented at the American Psychological Association Convention, Denver, CO.

    Suchday, S. (December, 2016). Chair & Discussant. Biopsychosocial Effects of Globalization on Body-Mind-Spirit. Symposium organized at the National Association of Psychology, Chennai, INDIA

    Suchday, S. (December, 2016). Globalization, Stress, and Spirituality among the Youth in India. Paper presented at the annual conference of the National Association of Psychology, Chennai, INDIA.

    Suchday, S. (January, 2017). Keynote Address: Biopsychosocial Perspectives on Anger: A Journey from Individuals to Culture. Bombay Psychological Association's 24th Annual Conference, Mumbai, INDIA.

    Suchday, S., Gupta, R. Sharma, K.K., Gupta, B.K., Mohan, I., & Deedwania, P. (March, 2017). Stress, depression, and risk for cardiovascular disease among urban Indians, Poster presented at the 75th annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society, Seville, Spain.

    Dong, S., Resnick, L., & Suchday, S. S. (2017, May). Self-forgiveness, forgiveness of others, and perceived stress in India college students. Paper presented at 25th Annual Pace University Psychology Conference, New York, NY.

    Feher, Z.M., Grujicic, N. & Suchday, S. (2017, May). Globalization and its effect on Health. Paper presented at the 25th annual Pace University Psychology Conference, New York, NY.

    Resnick, L.T., & Suchday, S. (2017, May). The relationship between SES and gender discrimination among Indian college students. Poster session presented at the 29th Association for Psychological Sciences Annual Convention, Boston, MA.

    Stein, D., Verhoeven, H., & Suchday, S. (2017, May). Socioeconomic status and trait anger among Asian Indian college students. Poster session presented at the 29th Association for Psychological Sciences Annual Convention, Boston MA.

    Patel, A., Verhoeven, H. & Suchday, S. (2017, May). Examining the relationship between perceived stress and the impact of a terrorist attack. Poster session presented at the 25th Annual Pace University Psychology Conference, New York, NY.

    Aycock, S., Stein, D., & Suchday, S. (2017, May). Examining the relationship of mindfulness and emotion regulation with cardiovascular health. Poster session presented at the 25th Annual Pace University Psychology Conference, New York, NY.

    Pendarvis, D, Resnick, L.T, Suchday, S. (2017, May). The Relationship between Parental Education and Community Standing on Gender Discrimination among Indian College Students. Poster Session presented at the 25th Annual Pace University Psychology Conference, New York, NY

    Resnick, L.T., Dong, S., & Suchday, S.S. (2017, May) Help seeking comfort, social support, and stress in international and American students. Poster session presented at the 25th Annual Pace University Psychology Conference, New York, NY

    Suchday, S. (July, 2017). Stress and health in an urban and globalized world. Symposium Chair, Symposium organized at the 75th annual meeting of the International Council of Psychologists, New York, USA.

    Suchday, S., Swencionis, C., & Wylie-Rosett, J. (July 2017). Stress and Acculturation among First Generation Chinese Immigrants in New York City: The CHA CHA Study. Paper presented at the Symposium: Stress and Health in an Urban and Globalized World organized at the 75th annual meeting of the International Council of Psychologists, New York, USA.

    Kapur, S., & Suchday, S. (July, 2017). Urban stress and health in developing countries. Paper presented at the Symposium: Stress and Health in an Urban and Globalized World organized at the 75th annual meeting of the International Council of Psychologists, New York, USA.

    Suchday, S. (July, 2017). Well-being & Spiritual /Religious practices in India. Symposium Chair, Symposium organized at the 75th annual meeting of the International Council of Psychologists, New York, USA.

    Sonia Suchday, Ph.D. (July, 2017). Globalization and the Entwinement of Spiritual Zeitgeist in Everyday Functioning in India. In Symposium: Well-being & Spiritual /Religious practices in India organized at the 75th annual meeting of the International Council of Psychologists, New York, USA.

    Santoro, A.F., & Suchday, S. (July, 2017). Adversity, Spirituality, and Health in College-Aged Females Living in India: Developmental Implications and International Recommendations. In Symposium: Well-being & Spiritual /Religious practices in India organized at the 75th annual meeting of the International Council of Psychologists, New York, USA.

    Dong, S. & Suchday, S. S. (July, 2017). The impact of comfort with non-professional help seeking on psychological distress and social support among international college students. Paper presented at the 75th Annual International Council of Psychologists Convention, New York, NY.

    Grujicic, N., Feher, Z.M., Suchday, S.S., Friedberg, J.P. & Almeida, M.L. (2017, July). Multidimensional effects of globalization. Poster session presented at 75th Annual ICP Convention, New York, NY.

    Verhoeven, H., Stein, D., Patel, A., Weiss, E. & Suchday, S.S. (2017, July). Examining the relationship between terrorism trauma, perceived stress and somatized stress amongst Indian college students. Poster session presented at the 75th Annual International Council of Psychologists Convention, New York, NY.

Meetings

Thursdays: 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
41 Park Row, Room 1313

Contact

Sonia Suchday, PhD
Research Group Lead
New York City
Email: ssuchday@pace.edu