Michelle Leonard, Ph.D., L.P.
Teaching Areas:
Master of Science in Psychology, PsychologyResearch Areas:
Clinical Psychology, Couples, Health PsychologyBiography and Education
Dr. Leonard is a Clinical Psychologist who has been with the University of Michigan - Dearborn since 2008. Dr. Leonard's research focuses on how intimate relationships and couples dynamics (including empathy) influence physical and psychological health. Dr.Leonard's work has examined the etiology and maintenance of chronic health problems (such as chronic pain or long-haul COVID) within a relationship context. This includes how psychosocial processes impact and are impacted by physical health. The other area where her research is focused ethnic/racial differences in the link between relationships and health. More recently Dr. Leonard and her team have started to study the impact of AI on couples.
Teaching and Research
Research
Research Areas include: Couples Relationships, Health Psychology, Chronic Health Issues, Couples Communication, AI and Couples
Selected Publications
Giraud, C., & Leonard, M. (2024). Types of Discrimination as Predictors of Identity Concealment in a Sexual and Gender Minority Sample. Sexuality & Culture, 1-18.
*Abraham, C., Leonard, M.T., & Giraud, C. (2023) COVID-19 Stress and Its Impact on Self-Protective Behaviors in an Emerging Adult College Sample: The Importance of Trauma. American Journal of Health Education 55, no. 1 (2024): 14-23.
Leonard, M. T., *Krajewski-Kidd, K., *Shuler, R., *Wesolowicz, D., *Miller, C., & Chatkoff, D. (2019). The Impact of Emotional Regulation Strategies on Pain Catastrophizing in the Context of Interpersonal Relationships. The Clinical journal of pain, 35(12), 925-932.
Chatkoff, D., Leonard, M.T., and Maier, K., (2015) Pain Catastrophizing Differs between and within WHYMPI Pain Adjustment Classifications: Theoretical and Clinical Implications from Preliminary Data. Clinical Journal of Pain, 31(4), 349-354.
Leonard, M.T and Geisser, M (2014).Using What We Know about Couples in the Context of Chronic Pain to Push for Continued Progress: Commentary on Vivekanantham and Colleagues. Pain Medicine, 15(5), 726-727.
Leonard, M.T., Issner J.H., Cano, A. Williams, A.M. (2013). Correlates of Spousal Empathic Accuracy for Pain-related Thoughts and Feelings. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 29, 224-233.
*indicates student author