Mathena Abramson, MA

My research interests relate to understanding the influence of social support on mental health across the lifespan, methods of strengthening of relationships, as well as ways of addressing intergenerational biases on disorders. Currently, I am particularly interested in the role of social support on chronic stress in marginalized communities. I also have interests in studying the influence of individuals’ subjective experiences on their mental health, particularly in those with cognitive impairments or dementing diseases, and identifying related modifiable factors (e.g. understanding subjective experiences of non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, such as sleep disturbances; their relationship to the development of internalizing disorders; and whether the symptoms can be alleviated.)

I work with Dr. Martha C. Tompson in the Family Development and Treatment Lab at Boston University where the lab focuses on understanding the bi-directional relationship between families and mental health disorders as well as developing family-based interventions to treat symptoms and disorders. I am currently assisting Dr. Tompson in her collaborative study between Dr. Alice Cronin-Golomb & Dr. Yakeel Quiroz investigating the role of stress and family support on the development of Alzheimer’s Disease in older Latinos.

As an undergraduate student, I developed skills and interests relating to the study of sleep and circadian rhythms, cognition, and the role of social support in mental health. My experiences at the Fatigue Countermeasures Laboratory at the NASA Ames Research Center as well as my work on my undergraduate honors thesis (investigating the impact of homesickness on autobiographical memories moderated by social support) served to further develop these interests into passions. Post-grad, I worked at Brigham and Women’s Hospital as a Clinical Research Coordinator II assisting with the investigation of the impact of menopausal sleep fragmentation on metabolic biomarkers, cognition, and mood. There I continued to develop my fascination with the intersectional field of sleep and circadian rhythms as well as build upon my interest in studying the impact of life experiences and social structures on a variety of outcome variables.

I enjoy trying new restaurants and food (I’ll try almost anything once!), spending time with loved ones, biking, going for walks, collecting sea glass, baking, knitting, and learning new things!