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Steven A. Miller, PhD

Steven A. Miller, PhD
Associate Professor
steven.miller@rosalindfranklin.edu
Psychology
College of Health Professions
847-578-8726
847-578-8765
Health Sciences Building, 2.676

Dr. Steven A. Miller is an Associate Professor of Psychology. He received his PhD in Social Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. Additionally, he holds M.S. degrees from Illinois State University and Loyola University Chicago in Psychology and Mathematics with specializations in Clinical Psychology and Probability and Statistics, respectively.

Dr. Miller joined the faculty of RFUMS in 2013. His research focuses on personality characteristics/individual differences and emotional experiences, as well as on anxiety and emotional disorders and the relation between them. He also has interests in social cognitive models of personality, the application of quantitative methodology to applied psychological questions, and the evaluation of novel data analytic techniques.

Within the psychology department, Dr. Miller teaches courses in multivariate statistics, longitudinal models, categorical data analysis, and history and systems of psychology. He also serves as a statistics consultant for RFUMS.

Curriculum Vitae

Personal Home Page

Are You a Prospective Graduate Student?
Dr. Miller will be accepting a student for the 2022/2023 academic year. Do you have questions regarding the admission process or what it is like working with Dr. Miller? E-mail current lab members Karol Grotkowski, Sophie Leib, Greg Obert, Erin Gandelman, George Bate, Aamina Khan, or Victoria Sardella to gain a student’s perspective.

RESEARCH

  1. The relationship between personality characteristics/individual differences (especially expectancy and belief) and emotional experiences
  2. Emotion, both in the general population and in individual with psychopathology
  3. Comparing models of the structure of psychological constructs (e.g. factors, classes, factor mixtures, networks, etc.)
  4. History/philosophy of both psychology specifically and science in general
  5. Application of novel quantitative methodology to applied psychological questions

PUBLICATIONS

My major substantive research interest has to do with personality and emotion, both individually and particularly as they intersect. I have submitted grants as principal investigator in this area and am likely to continue to do so in the future. I am interested in these in clinical populations (e.g., individuals with psychopathy or suffering from mood or anxiety disorders) as well as non-clinical populations (non-clinical folks have personalities and emotions, too, you know – and understanding those is necessary to understand pathology).

  • Obert, G. T., & Miller, S. A. (in press). The net worth of networks and extraversion: Examining personality structure through network models. Personality and Individual Differences. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111039.
  • Grotkowski, K., & Miller, S. A. (2019). Optimists or optimistic: Replication of a taxometric study on optimism. Journal of Research in Personality, 82. doi: 10.1016/j.jrp.2019.103854.
  • Gorin, H. M., Kosson, D. S., Miller, S. A., Fontaine, N. M. G., Vitaro, F, Séguin, J. R., Boivin, M., Côté, S., & Tremblay, R. E. (2019). Psychopathic traits in middle childhood: Evidence of a hierarchical three-factor structure. Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 41(3), 341-352. doi: 10.1007/s10862-019-09733-2
  • Miller, S. A., & Grotkowski, K. (2018). Physiological hyperarousal (2018). In V. Zeigler-Hill & T. K. Shackelford (Eds.). Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. New York: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_453-1.
  • Kosson, D. S., McBride, C. K., Miller, S. A., Riser, N. R. E., & Whitman, L. A. (2018). Attentional bias following frustration in youth with psychopathic traits: Emotional deficit versus negative preception. Journal of Experimental Psychopathology. doi: 10.5127/jep.060116
  • Fowler, D.R., Weber, E.N., Klappa, S.P., & Miller, S.A. (2017). Replicating future orientation: Investigating hope, optimism, and their subscales through replication and expansion. Personality and Individual Differences, 116, 22-28. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.04.010
  • Longley, S. L., Miller, S. A., Broman-Fulks, J., Calamari, J. E., & Holm-Denoma, J. M., & Meyers, K. (2017). Taxometric analyses of higher-order personality domains. Personality and Individual Differences, 108, 207-219. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.12.018
  • Catanzaro, S. J., Backenstrass, M., Miller, S. A., Mearns, J., Pfeiffer, N., & Brendalen, S. (2014). Prediction of symptoms of emotional distress by mood regulation expectancies and affective traits. International Journal of Psychology, 49(6), 471-479. doi: 10.1002/ijop.12062.
  • Garrison, A. M., Kahn, J. H., Miller, S. A., & Sauer, E. M. (2014). Emotional avoidance and rumination as mediators of the relation between adult attachment and emotional disclosure. Personality and Individual Differences, 70, 239-245. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2014.07.006
  • Shoji, K., Harrigan, J. A., Woll, S. B., & Miller, S. A. (2010). Interactions among situations, neuroticism, and appraisals in coping strategy choice. Personality and Individual Differences, 48(3), 270-276. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2009.10.009

I hold an advanced degree in mathematics with a focus on probability and statistics. I also have extensive statistical training and serve as the RFUMS’s statistical consultant. I am especially interested in the application of novel statistical techniques to psychological questions. The publications in this area may overlap with some other publications.

  • Obert, G. T & Miller, S. A. (in press). The net worth of networks and extraversion: Examining personality structure through network models. Personality and Individual Differences. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111039.
  • Bedree, H. B., Miller, S. A., Buscemi, J., Greenley, R. N., & Tran, S. T. (in press). Using technology to assess bidirectionality between daily pain and physical activity: The role of marginalization during emerging adulthood. Children
  • Miller, S. A. (April, 2021). Identifying Change Trajectories: Growth Curves, Latent Class Growth Analyses, and Growth Mixture Models, Oh My! Invited workshop presented at the 2021 Annual Convention of the Midwestern Psychological Association.
  • Tran, S. T., Grotkowski, K. G., Miller, S. A., Reed, B. W., Koven, M. L.*, Buscemi, J., & Greenley, R. N. (2021). Hassles predict physical health complaints in undergraduate students: A dynamic structural equation model analysis of daily diary data. Psychology and Health. 36(7), 828-846. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2020.1800010
  • Leib, S. I., Faith, E. C., Vincent, S. R., & Miller, S. A. (2021). Police interactions, perceived discrimination, and longitudinal changes in depression in African Americans. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 40(1), 27-45. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2021.40.1.27
  • Longley, S. L., Miller, S. A., Broman-Fulks, J., Calamari, J. E., & Holm-Denoma, J. M., & Meyers, K. (2017). Taxometric analyses of higher-order personality domains. Personality and Individual Differences, 108, 207-219. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.12.018

Finally, I am also interested in substance use and substance use disorders. I have submitted grants in this area as primary investigator and am likely to continue to do so in the future (though perhaps after the pandemic is more under control). Recently, I have also been involved with the GPF Foundation studying interventions designed to increase knowledge of MDMA and potential problems associated with its use. 

  • Gandelman, E. M., Miller, S. A., & Back, S. E. (accepted, pending minor revision). Imaginal exposure processing during COPE therapy: Examination of linguistic markers of cohesiveness. Journal of Traumatic Stress.
  • Reed, B. W., Miller, S. A., Bobak, T. J., Steven, E., & Jason, L. A. (2020). The experience of smoking in recovery settings: An ecological momentary assessment pilot study. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 59, (1, Special Issue), 59-72. doi: 10.1080/1533256X.2020.1710080
  • Beasley, C. R., Jason, L. A., Miller, S. A., Stevens, E., & Ferrari, J. (2013). Person-environment interactions among residents of Oxford House Recovery Homes. Addiction Research and Theory, 21(3), 198-206. doi: 10.3109/16066359.2012.703270.
  • DiGangi, J. A., Jason, L. A., Mendoza, L., Miller, S. A., & Contreras, R. (2013). The relationship between wisdom and abstinence behaviors in women in recovery from substance abuse. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 39(1), 33-37. doi: 10.3109/00952990.2012.702172.
  • Majer, J. M., Jason, L. A., Ferrari, J. R., & Miller, S. A. (2011). A longitudinal analysis of categorical twelve-step involvement among a U.S. national sample of recovering substance abusers in residential treatment. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 41(1), 37-44. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2011.01.010

I also have several long-standing areas of research collaboration. I have substantial knowledge in these areas, but am unlikely to submit grants where I am primary investigator. I would be happy working with students in these areas (especially if they overlap with personality, emotion, substance use, or statistical methodology), though we would likely seek substantive collaborators in these areas as well.

Health/Pediatric Psychology

  • Bedree, H. B., Miller, S. A., Buscemi, J., Greenley, R. N., & Tran, S. T. (in press). Using technology to assess bidirectionality between daily pain and physical activity: The role of marginalization during emerging adulthood.
  • Tran, S. T., Grotkowski, K. G., Miller, S. A., Reed, B. W., Koven, M. L., Buscemi, J., & Greenley, R. N. (2021). Hassles predict physical health complaints in undergraduate students: A dynamic structural equation model analysis of daily diary data. Psychology and Health. 36(7), 828-846. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2020.1800010
  • Kruger, D. J., Kruger, J. S., Jordan, T., Sheu, J.-J., Glassman, T., & Miller, S. A. (2020). Life history speed mediates the relationship between environmental conditions, health-related behaviors, and self-reported health. EvoS Journal: The Journal of the Evolutionary Studies Consortium, 9, 118-133.
  • Feldman, E. C. H., Macauley, T. M., Tran, S. T., Miller, S. A., Buscemi, J. B., & Greenley, R. N. (2020). Relationships between disease factors and social support in college students with chronic physical illnesses. Children's Health Care, 49(3), 267-286. doi: 10.1080/02739615.2020.1723100.
  • Kern, D., Busch, A., Schneider, K. S., Miller, S. A., Appelhans, B., Waring, M. E., & Whited, M. C. (2019), Psychosocial factors associated with treatment outcomes in women with obesity and Major Depressive Disorder who received behavioral activation for depression. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 42(3), 522-533. doi: 10.1007/s10865-018-9993-9.
  • Plevinsky, J. M., Wojtowicz, A. A., Miller, S. A., & Greenley, R. N. (2019). Longitudinal barriers to thiopurine adherence in adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 44(1), 52-60.
  • Segal, N. L., Feng, R., McGuire, S. A., Allison, D. B, & Miller, S. A. (2009). Genetic and environmental contributions to body mass index: Comparative analyses of monozygotic twins, dizygotic twins and same age unrelated siblings. International Journal of Obesity, 33(3), 37-41. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2008.228

Neuropsychology/Neurological Functioning

  • Abraham, M., Klipfel, K. M., Guidotti Breting, L., Breting, E., & Miller, S. A. (under review - February, 2022). Distinct patterns of neuropsychological performance in adult ADHD and psychiatric comorbidities. Poster submitted to the 50th Annual Meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society. New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Leib, S. I., Chin, E., & Miller, S. A. (under review - February, 2022). Latent structure of working memory and emotion regulation in pediatric ADHD. Poster submitted to the 50th Annual Meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society. New Orleans, Louisiana. 
  • Maigler, K., Buhr, T., Park, C., Miller, S. A., Kozlowski, D. A., & Marr, R. A. (2021). Assessment of the effects of altered amyloid-beta clearance on behavior following repeat closed-head brain injury in Amyloid-Beta Precursor Protein humanized mice. Journal of Neurotrauma, 38(5), 665-676. doi: 10.1089/neu.2020.6989.
  • Aase, D.M., Akagi, K., Tan, M., Maucieri, L., Miller, S.A., Rog, L., Greenstein, J., Jason, L.A., Phan, K.L., & Pliskin, N.H. (2019). Social cognition performance in AUD and a no-AUD comparison group: A pilot study [Published Abstract]. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 25(S1), 78.
  • Hinrich, A. J., Jodelka, F. M., Brutman, D., Bruno, A., James, B. D., Stutzmann, G. E., Bennett, D. A., Miller, S. A., Rigo, F., Marr, R. A., & Hastings, M. L. (2016). Therapeutic correction of deregulated ApoER2 splicing in Alzheimer’s disease using antisense oligonucleotides. EMBO Molecular Medicine, 8(4), 328-345. doi: 10.15252/emmm.201505846. 
  • Ecklund-Johnson, E., Miller, S. A., & Sweet, J. J. (2004). Confirmatory factor analysis of the Behavioral Dyscontrol Scale in a mixed clinical sample. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 18(3), 395-410. doi: 10.1080=1385404049052415.

Behavioral Genetics/Evolutionary Psychology

  • Reed, B. W., Segal, N. L., & Miller, S. A. (in press). Evolutionary perspective on decreases in grief intensity for deceased twin and non-twin relatives: An update. Personality and Individual Differences. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.110822. 
  • Kruger, D. J., Kruger, J. S., Jordan, T., Sheu, J.-J., Glassman, T., & Miller, S. A. (2020). Life history speed mediates the relationship between environmental conditions, health-related behaviors, and self-reported health. EvoS Journal: The Journal of the Evolutionary Studies Consortium, 9, 118-133.
  • Kruger, D. J., & Miller, S. A. (2017). Perceptions of attractiveness and parental dependency mediate the relationship between actual parental dependency and human caregiving intentions for non-mammalian infants. Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2, 141-146. doi: 10.1007/s40806-017-0083-y
  • Kruger, D. J., & Miller, S. A. (2016). Non-mammalian infants dependent on parental care elicit greater kindchenschema-related perceptions and motivations in humans. Human Ethology Bulletin, 31(3), 15-24. doi: https://doi.org/10.22330/heb/311/015024
  • Segal, N. L., Feng, R., McGuire, S. A., Allison, D. B, & Miller, S. A. (2009). Genetic and environmental contributions to body mass index: Comparative analyses of monozygotic twins, dizygotic twins and same age unrelated siblings. International Journal of Obesity, 33(3), 37-41. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2008.228
  • Segal, N. L., McGuire, S. A., Miller, S. A., & Havlena, J. (2008). Tacit coordination in monozygotic twins, dizygotic twins and virtual twins: Effects and implications of genetic relatedness. Personality and Individual Differences, 45(7), 607-612. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2008.06.022.

Violence

  • Fowler, D.R., Cantos, A.L., & Miller, S. A. (2016). Exposure to violence, typology, and recidivism in a probation sample of domestic violence perpetrators. Child Abuse and Neglect, 59, 66-77. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.07.007
  • Goldner, J.S., Richards, M.H., Quimby, D., Zakaryan, A., Miller, S. A. Dickson, D. & Chilson, J. (2016). Relations of parenting to adolescent externalizing and internalizing distress moderated by perception of neighborhood danger. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 45(2), 141-154. doi: 10.1080/15374416.2014.958838.
  • DiGangi, J. A., Goddard, A. J., Miller, S. A., Leon, G., & Jason, L. A. (2016). Differences in PTSD symptomatology among Latinos with childhood and adult trauma: The moderating effect of acculturation. Journal of Addiction & Neuropharmacology, 3, 009. ISSN: 2378-9042.
  • Edlynn, E., Gaylord-Hardin, N., Richards, M. H., & Miller, S. A. (2008). African American inner city youth exposed to violence: Coping skills as a moderator for anxiety. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 78(2), 249-258. doi: 10.1037/a0013948.
  • Leon, S. C., Ragsdale, B., Miller, S. A., & Spaccarelli, S. (2008). Trauma resilience among youth in substitute care demonstrating sexual behavior problems. Child Abuse and Neglect, 31(1), 67-81. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2007.04.010.

RESEARCH LAB

Personality and Emotion Research Laboratory

Bill Revelle, the former president of the Association for Research in Personality and of the International Society for the Study of Individual Differences, once wrote, "Personality is to emotion as climate is to weather." Our research laboratory focuses on examining and further understanding this relationship. Specifically, we examine not only the correspondence of emotion to personality, but also on the nature of intra-individual variability and how such patterns may be characteristic of people. Furthermore, we examine roles of situational contingencies and individual expectancies in emotional response. We employ a range of methodologies, from experience sampling studies to laboratory experiments. Please feel free to contact me or lab members with questions about our research projects.