Who are the people behind the lectern? Did they appear one day to discuss t-tests and theories, and then disappear into the ether? It turns out that faculty are people too! The Department of Psychology strives to create a culture replete with high quality research and teaching. To foster that culture, the “meet the faculty” series is designed to give students an idea of what leads one to pursue a career aligned with this culture.
Let’s get to know Dr. Michaeline Jensen. Dr. Jensen joined the Department of Psychology in the Fall 2018 semester. She is aligned with the clinical psychology area. Dr. Jensen was born and raised outside of the small town of Benson, Arizona. It’s situated about an hour from the US-Mexico border, in the Sonoran Desert. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona (in Tucson) and her MA and PhD from Arizona State University (in Tempe). You can learn more about Dr. Jensen’s research at her lab website.
Research Background and Interests
What inspired you to become a psychology professor?
I have always been fascinated by child and adolescent development. During college I caught what my mentor, Varda Shoham, called “the research bug” and I got excited about pursuing a career where my work could help answer important questions about risk and resilience in young people.
Can you describe your research area and interests?
My research focuses on how young people navigate adolescence in the digital age. This includes using technology to study daily experiences (e.g., through ecological momentary assessments on things like mental and physical health and using text message content as a window into interactions with parents and peers). I also study how digital ecosystems present challenges (e.g., stress, exposure to risky content) and opportunities (e.g., access to social supports) in diverse families.
Are there any publications or work of which you’re particularly proud?
It’s hard to pick one! Maybe I would choose this one:
Jensen, M., Navarro, J. L., Brown, M. T., & Hussong, A. M. (2023). Dyadic parent–college student digital interaction styles. Journal of Family Psychology, 37(6), 864.
This project used data we coded by hand from 30,000 U.S. parent–college student text messages, exchanged by 238 college students and their mothers and fathers over the course of 2 weeks. It was fun to work with my students to apply latent profile analysis to this text data to identify “styles” of digital interaction. I am proud of it because the data and coding were time consuming and intensive, and it’s neat to see new methods like mixture models yield interesting insights from rich data.
Working and Teaching at UNCG
What drew you to joining the Psychology Department at UNCG?
The strong focus on both research and community impact really stood out to me about UNCG. UNCG has a collaborative, supportive environment, and I was excited about the opportunity to build a research program that connects directly with families and communities in North Carolina.
Do you have a favorite course that you teach?
I love teaching Psychology 370 (Ethnicity, Development, and Psychopathology). It is so fun to teach and engage with students around the role of culture in child development.
What advice would you give to students aspiring to a career in your area?
I would advise students to get involved in research early- you can learn so much from getting involved in the research process. And be flexible- you might have to try out a few different types of research before you find one that makes your heart sing, and that’s totally ok! Be curious, ask questions, and take something unique from each experience.
Fun Facts!
What do you like to do outside of work?
I like to be outside (in my garden, hiking, or just chilling with my husband, three-year-old daughter, and friends). I also love to read.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Hmm… I think I am a pretty open book… I am something of a fair-weather NCAA basketball fan? I basically only start following once things get interesting and the tournament comes around (and I like to organize some friendly competition among my colleagues through the department bracket challenge).
Could you share a favorite movie, book, or band that you would recommend to others?
One of my favorite books that I often come back to is The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. It’s science fiction, but it explores some really interesting themes around culture, colonization, and communication. It’s thoughtful without being heavy-handed, and it’s one of those books that sticks with you and makes you think long after you finish it.
