Dr. Pettit conducts research on depression and suicidal behaviors in adolescence and emerging adulthood. He has a particular focus on the course of depression and suicidal behaviors over time, including interpersonal and cognitive factors that contribute to the onset, maintenance, and recurrence of these behaviors. Dr. Pettit is the author of two books and 60 research articles and book chapters. His research has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. He is currently editor of Behavioral Medicine and associate editor of Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology.
SELECT COURSES TAUGHT
• Developmental Psychopathology
Lewinsohn, P.M., Pettit, J.W., Joiner, T.E., Jr., & Seeley, J.R. (2003). The phenomenology of major depressive disorder in adolescents and young adults. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 112(2), 244-252.
Pettit, J.W., Joiner, T.E., Jr., & Rudd, M.D. (2004). Kindling and behavioral sensitization: Are they relevant to recurrent suicide attempts? Journal of Affective Disorders, 83 (2-3), 249-252.
Pettit, J.W., & Joiner, T.E., Jr. (2005). The interpersonal solution to depression: A workbook for changing how you feel by changing how you relate. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.
Pettit, J.W., & Joiner, T.E., Jr. (2006). Chronic depression: Interpersonal sources, therapeutic solutions. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Pettit, J.W., Lewinsohn, P.M., & Joiner, T.E., Jr. (2006). Propagation of major depressive disorder: Relationship between first episode symptoms and recurrence. Psychiatry Research, 141(3), 271-278.
Paukert, A.L., & Pettit, J.W. (2007). Interpersonal reactions to suicide attempt: The role of respondent causal attributions. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 37(6), 641-647.
Pettit, J.W., Olino, T.M., Roberts, R.E., Seeley, J.R., & Lewinsohn, P.M. (2008). Intergenerational transmission of internalizing problems: Effects of parental and grandparental major depressive disorder on child behavior. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 37(3), 640-650.
Pettit, J.W., Lewinsohn, P.M., Roberts, R.E., Seeley, J.R., & Montieth, L.L. (2009). The long-term course of depression: Development of an empirical index and identification of early adult outcomes. Psychological Medicine, 39(3), 403-412.
Pettit, J.W., Temple, S., Norton, P.J., Yaroslavsky, I., Grover, K.E., Morgan, S.T., & Schatte, D.J. (2009). Thought suppression and suicidal ideation: Preliminary evidence in support of a robust association. Depression & Anxiety, 26(8), 758-763.
Grover, K.E., Green, K.L., Pettit, J.W., Garza, M.J., Monteith, L.L., & Venta, A. (in press). Problem-solving moderates the effects of life event and chronic stress on suicidal behaviors in adolescence. Journal of Clinical Psychology.
