VCU Psychology – Kirk Warren Brown

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Kirk Warren Brown

Assistant professor

Contact information

Phone: (804) 828-6754
E-mail: kwbrown at vcu.edu
Web site: Research Lab

Education

Ph.D. (1998), McGill University

Program affiliations

Social Psychology (primary), Health Psychology (secondary)

Research interests

Implicit in many approaches to the enhancement of well-being is the importance of becoming aware of ones cognitive, emotional, interpersonal and social ecological circumstances. My research examines the role of attention and awareness, and specifically mindfulness, in self-regulation and psychological, physical and social well-being. More broadly, I am interested in the study of consciousness and its role in human functioning. Conducted in both laboratory and naturalistic settings, my research program addresses both theoretical and applied issues.

Selected publications

Biegel, G., Brown, K. W., Shapiro, S. E., & Schubert, C. (2009). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for adolescent psychiatric outpatients: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77, 855-866.

Brown, K. W., Kasser, T., Linley, P. A., Ryan, R. M., & Orzich, K. (2009). When what one has is enough: Mindfulness, desire discrepancies, and subjective well-being. Journal of Research in Personality, 43, 727-736.

Brown, K. W., Ryan, R. M., & Creswell, J. D. (2007). Mindfulness: Theoretical foundations and evidence for its salutary effects. Psychological Inquiry, 18, 211-237.

Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003). The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 822-848.

Brown, K. W., Levy, A. R., Rosberger, Z., & Edgar, L. (2003). Psychological distress and cancer survival: A follow‑up 10 years after diagnosis. Psychosomatic Medicine, 65, 636‑643.

More publications [PDF]

Recent/current courses taught at VCU

Introduction to Psychology, undergraduate level
Research Methods in Social Psychology, graduate level
General Linear Models I, graduate level
Positive Psychology, graduate level

Recent grants
2008 – 2011	Brown, K. W. & Coogle, C. (Co-Principal Investigators). Source: U.S. Administration on Aging. Project title: Mindfulness-Based Alzheimer’s Caregiving: A novel intervention to enhance caregiver well-being and relational functioning. Direct cost: $102,694.
2008 – 2010	Goodie, A. S. et al. (K.W.B. Co-Investigator). Source: Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre. Project title: Mindfulness and level 2 gambling problems. Direct cost: $173,313.
2008 – 2009	Brown, K. W. (Principal Investigator). Source: Virginia Commonwealth University, College of Humanities and Sciences. Project title: Mindfulness as a predictor of multimodal stress responses. Direct cost: $5,300.
2005 – 2009	Moynihan, J. et al. (K. W. B. Co-Investigator). Source: National Institutes of Health (R01). Project title: Mindfulness to improve elders’ immune and health status. Direct cost: $800,000.

Sponsored student grants
2008 – 2010	Stewart, K. E. (K. W. B. Sponsor). Source: National Institutes of Health (F31). Project title: Biobehavioral mechanisms of emotion and HIV disease.
2008 – 2010	Hölzel, B. (K. W. B. Co-Sponsor). Source: Mind and Life Institute. Project Title: Does mindfulness training change the processing of social threat?
2008 – 2009	Sahdra, B. (K. W. B. Co-Sponsor). Source: Mind and Life Institute. Project Title: Measurement and correlates of non-attachment.