My current work focuses on the application of self-regulation strategies for the management of physical disorders involving regions of the body innervated by the trigeminal nerve. The broad, long-term objective of my research program has been to understand the linkages between emotional states and physical health.  My early research career focused on exploring the influence of positive emotion, or happiness, on social behavior and perceptual processes.  Later, my clinical interests in emotional dysregulation and its effects on physical health were the impetus for my research with relaxation and other self-regulation strategies for the management of chronic pains.

Our clinical research with persons reporting pain in trigeminally-mediated regions of the body has focused on the delivery of physical self-regulation strategies targeting the control of fatigue, pain, and anxiety.  We have developed a keen interest in using heart rate variability as an index of dysregulation in these patients.   Our central hypothesis is that orofacial pain patients are not able to inhibit activation well and thus are prone to fatigue and pain.  We continue to examine the self-regulation approaches that our program has developed to improve inhibitory controls.

For the past six years I have also been developing a research program that explores the role of religiosity and spirituality in underage drinking, drug usage, and risky sexual behavior.  My research team has published a series of papers examining these issues along with developing a model to guide the development and implementation of preventive interventions.  Our goal is to foster the self-regulatory capacity of young persons so that negative outcomes from risky behavior are reduced.

In summary, my research has been directed at the interface between self-regulation, emotional processes, and health.  Our studies have contributed to a growing data base establishing the mechanisms and outcomes of the self-regulation-emotion-health linkage.  My primary research objective over the next five years is to continue systematic exploration of the psychological and physiological parameters associated with the development and treatment of pain disorders in regions of the body influenced by the trigeminal nerve.  I also will continue to develop and evaluate models guiding self-regulatory interventions directed at underage alcohol use.

Click here for information on SPRIG: Spirituality and Psychology Research Interest Group.

• Carlson, C. R., Reid, K. I., Curran, S. L., Studts, J., Okeson, J. P., Falace, D., Nitz, A., & Bertrand, P. M. (1998). Psychological and physiological parameters of masticatory muscle pain.  Pain, 76, 297-307.
• Carlson, C. R., Bertrand, P. M., Ehrlich, A. D., Maxwell, A. W., & Burton, R. G. (2001).  Physical self-regulation training for the management of temporomandibular disorders.  Journal of Orofacial Pain, 15, 47-55.
• Venable, V. L., Carlson, C. R., & Wilson, J. (2001).  The role of anger and depression in recurrent headache.  Headache, 41, 21-30.
• Yatani, H., Studts, J., Cordova, M., Carlson, C. R., & Okeson, J.P. (2002).  Comparison of sleep quality and clinical and psychological characteristics in patients with temporomandibular disorders. Journal of Orofacial Pain, 16, 221-228.
• de Leeuw, R., Bertoli, J., Schmidt, J., & Carlson, C.R. (2005).  Prevalence of traumatic stressors in patients with temporomandibular disorders.  Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 63, 42-50.
• Salsman, J. M., & Carlson, C.R.  (2005).  Religious orientation, mature faith, and psychological distress:  Elements of positive and negative associations.  Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 44, 201-209.
• Sherman, J.J., Carlson, C.R., Wilson, J.F., Okeson, J.P., & McCubbin, J.A.  (2005).  Post-traumatic Stress Disorder among patients with orofacial pain.  Journal of Orofacial Pain, 19, 309-317.
• Albuquerque, R.J.C., de Leeuw, R., Carlson, C.R., Okeson, J.P., Miller, C.S., & Andersen, A.H. (2006).  Cerebral activation during thermal stimulation of patients who have Burning Mouth Disorder: An fMRI study.  Pain, 122, 223-234.
• Bertoli, E., de Leeuw, R., Schmidt, J.E., Okeson, J. P., & Carlson, C.R. (2007).  Prevalence and impact of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in patients with masticatory muscle pain and  temporomandibular joint pain:  Differences and similarities.  Journal of Orofacial Pain, 21, 1-13.
• Brown, T.L., Salsman, J.M., Brechting, E.B., & Carlson, C.R. (2007). Religiousness, spirituality, and social support: How are they related to underage drinking? Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, 17, 15-39.
• Carlson, C. R., (2008).  Psychological considerations for chronic orofacial pain.  Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America, 20, 185-195.
• Burris, J.L, Carlson, C.R., & Smith G.T. (in press).  Relationships among religiousness, spirituality and sexual practices.  Journal of Sex Research.
• Burris, J.L., Brechting, E., Salsman, J., & Carlson, C.R. (in press).  Factors associated with the psychological well-being and distress of university students. Journal of American College Health.
• Schmidt, J. and Carlson, C.R. (in press).   A Controlled Comparison of Emotional Reactivity and Physiological Response in Masticatory Muscle Pain Patients. Journal of Orofacial Pain.