• Assistant Professor, Psychology

Brian Carpenter

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• Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
• B.A. in English/Psychology at Williams College, Williamstown, MA
• PostDoc in Clinical Psychology at Philadelphia Geriatric Center
• PostDoc in Geriatric Psychiatry at University of Pennsylvania

Clips:

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Bunking In With Mom and Dad WUSTL psychology professor Brian Carpenter comments on how the recession is causing some people in their 30s, 40s and older to move back in with their parents. The term boomerang children used to refer to young adults moving back in with their parents, but the recession is forcing people in their 30s and 40s and older--often with a spouse and kids in tow--to bunk in with the 'rents until they regain their financial footing. WUSTL psychology professor Brian Carpenter comments. References: Feb. 19, 2009 — Bunking In With Mom and Dad in the Time online

Dementia Diagnosis May Relieve Patients Doctors often hesitate to tell patients they likely suffer from Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, fearing the news will overwhelm them. Not only did the diagnosis not increase anxiety or depression among patients and their caregivers, but most were relieved to have symptoms explained and a way to find help. But a WUSTL medical study suggests physicians need not worry. Researchers amd WUSTL psychology professor Brian Carpenter and neurology proessor John Morris comment. The study, which appears in the March issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, gauged depression and anxiety two days before and two days after an evaluation and diagnosis. References: March 12, 2008 — Dementia Diagnosis May Relieve Patients in the Associated Press and 110 others.

Humor Hampered By Aging Brain? Is humor hampered by the aging brain? Two WUSTL researchers believe so. Age-related brain changes may make it harder for older adults to understand humor, a new study shows. The study comes from WUSTL psychology graduate student Wingyun Mak and psychology professor Brian Carpenter. References: Aug. 3, 2007 — Humor Hampered By Aging Brain? in the CBSNews.com and 1 others.

Joke comprehension may decrease with age, study at St. Louis university suggests It's no laughing matter: a new study suggests older adults have a harder time getting jokes as they age. The research indicates that because older adults may have greater difficulty with cognitive flexibility, abstract reasoning and short-term memory, they also have greater difficulty with tests of humor comprehension. The research conducted by WUSTL graduate student Wingyun Mak and WUSTL psychology professor Brian Carpenter. Findings were published earlier this month in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society. References: July 11, 2007 — Joke comprehension may decrease with age, study at St. Louis university suggests in the International Herald Tribune (France) and 206 others.

How to Talk About Aging The time for a frank conversation with your parents about aging is right now. A recent survey by AARP found that nearly 70 percent of adult children have not talked to their parents about issues related to aging. Some children avoid this most intimate of conversations because they believe their parents don't want to talk. Others think they know what their parents want. WUSTL psychology professor Brian Carpenter is one of the experts offering advice. References: June 10, 2007 — How to Talk About Aging in the Newsweek

Eldercare Choices Revive Sibling Fights Brian Carpenter, asst. professor of psychology in Arts & Sciences, comments on elder care issues With about 20 million Americans providing care for a parent or in-law, such family dramas often with financial questions lurking unsaid are playing out across the country. WUSTL psychology professor Brian Carpenter comments on old family dynamics. References: Jan. 14, 2007 — Eldercare Choices Revive Sibling Fights in the Associated Press Online and 59 others.

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• Washington University Kemper Grant for Teaching Enhancement (2001)
• American Psychological Association Division 12/Section II Student Research Award (1997)
• Marie Haug Student Award of the University Center on Aging and Health (1997)
• American Psychological Association Division 20/Retirement Research Fund Graduate Research Proposal Award (1996)
• Graduate Dean's Instructional Excellence Award (1994)

Funded Research Grants

• Patient-valued outcomes: Concordance within families. Principal Investigator. Washington University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center / NIA, 5/1/01 - 4/30/02.
• Early parent-child relationships and contemporary interactions. Principal Investigator. John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, 4/1/00 - 10/31/00.
• Intergenerational awareness of psychosocial preferences. Principal Investigator. Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, 4/1/99 - 12/31/00.
• Attachment bonds between adult daughters and their older mothers: Associations with different types of caregiving. Principal Investigator. Retirement Research Foundation, 1996 -1997.

Selected Publications

Carpenter, B. D. (In press). Family, peer, and staff social support in nursing home patients: Contributions to psychological well-being. Journal of Applied Gerontology.

Carpenter, B. D. (2001). Attachment bonds between adult daughters and their older mothers: Associations with contemporary caregiving. Journals of Gerontology, 56B, P257-P267.

Carpenter, B. D., Van Haitsma, K., Ruckdeschel, K., & Lawton, M. P. (2000). The psychosocial preferences of older adults: A pilot examination of content and structure. The Gerontologist, 40, 335-348

Carpenter, B. D., Ruckdeschel, H., Van Haitsma, K., & Ruckdeschel, K. (2000). R-E-M: A psychotherapy for institutional residents with depression and dementia. In C. I. Wright (Ed.), Mental health and aging: Meeting new challenges (pp. 18-22). Syracuse, NY: New York Statewide Resource Center for Geriatric Education.

Carpenter, B. D. (1996). Why students are interested in the elderly: An analysis of motives. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 16, 41-51.

Carpenter, B. D., Strauss, M. E., & Kennedy, J. S. (1995). Personal history of depression and its appearance in Alzheimer's. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 10, 669-678.

Carpenter, B. D. (1993). A review and new look at ethical suicide in advanced age. The Gerontologist, 33(3), 359-365.

Selected Presentations

Carpenter, B. D. (2001). Intergenerational discrepancies in perceptions of family dynamics and parental preferences. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Chicago, IL.

Carpenter, B. D., Van Haitsma, K., Ruckdeschel, H., & Lawton, M. P. (November, 1999). The structure and ranking of psychosocial preferences: Older gerontologists differ from other elders. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, San Francisco, CA.

Carpenter, B. D. (1999). Intergenerational Awareness of Psychosocial Preferences. Paper presented at the Delaware Valley Geriatric Society Annual Research Papers Presentation, Philadelphia, PA.

Carpenter, B. D. (1998). Work status and adult attachment bonds: Effects on older adult caregiving. Paper presented at The Gerontological Society of American Annual Scientific Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.

Carpenter, B. D. (1997). Attachment bonds and caregiving for older parents. Paper presented at The Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting, Cincinnati, OH.

Carpenter, B. D. (1996). Filial obligation, ethnicity, and caregiving. Poster presented at The Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting, Washington, DC.

Professional Memberships

• American Psychological Association; Division 12, Section II, Clinical Geropsychology; Division 20, Adult Development and Aging
• Gerontological Society of America
• American Society on Aging
• Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network