Stanford Psychology Podcast

143 - Casey Kenyon Brown: Can Your Relationships Make You Depressed?

Dec 5, 2024

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Casey Kenyon Brown, a Georgetown University Psychology Professor, dives into how our relationships shape our emotions and mental health. She discusses her journey in psychology and shares insights on empathic accuracy in close relationships. The conversation highlights the dual impact of emotional sharing, especially in caregiving scenarios, and the challenges faced in understanding relational dynamics. Casey also emphasizes the importance of emotional support, particularly for aging populations, revealing how interpersonal processes can influence well-being.

39:30

Episode guests

Casey Kenyon Brown

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Quick takeaways

Dr. Casey Kenyon-Brown's research reveals that empathic accuracy in relationships can lead to both beneficial and harmful mental health outcomes depending on the partners' emotional states.

The podcast emphasizes the importance of interpersonal emotional processes in maintaining mental health and the need for careful exploration of emotional dynamics in vulnerable populations.

Deep dives

The Journey into Psychology

Dr. Casey Kenyon-Brown shares her transition from aspiring clinical psychologist to researcher in psychology, emphasizing the role of research in enhancing her understanding of interpersonal emotions. Initially drawn to therapy for her affinity for people and problem-solving, she soon discovered her passion for research while working at a lab focused on adolescent development. This experience opened her eyes to the significant impact of data analysis, transforming her career trajectory towards a focus on how emotional processes influence mental health. Her clinical psychology PhD program provided her with the dual training needed to incorporate both research and clinical practice effectively.

Intro

3min

Integrating Clinical Practice and Research in Psychology

2min

Empathy and Emotional Well-Being in Relationships

13min

Exploring Dyadic Interactions in Relationship Research

2min

Navigating Emotions in Relationships

16min

Interpersonal Emotional Processes in the Aging Population

3min

This week, Enna chats with Dr. Casey Kenyon Brown, Professor at Georgetown University in the Department of Psychology and the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience. She has received numerous honors and awards, including the prestigious Pathway to Independence Award from the National Institute on Aging and the Rising Star Award from the Association for Psychological Science.

Casey’s research examines how we share, understand, and influence one another’s emotions. She’s interested in how these interpersonal emotional processes are beneficial for healthy aging, and how these processes may go awry and contribute to depression.

In this episode, Casey shares her journey in psychology, talks about her research on emotion and relationships, and provides advice on how we can build strong connections with people we love.

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Casey’s Lab Website: https://careslab.facultysite.georgetown.edu/

Casey’s Lab Twitter: @CARESlab_GU

Casey’s paper on empathy and shared depression: https://doi.org/10.1177/21677026221141852

Enna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ennayuxuanchen/

Enna’s Twitter: @EnnaYuxuanChen

Podcast Contact: stanfordpsychpodcast@gmail.com

Podcast Twitter: @StanfordPsyPod