Richard Mattson | Source | Associate Professor of Psychology at Binghamton University, State University ...
Richard Mattson
My longstanding research aims are to explore the causes and consequences of functional versus dysfunctional relationship communication, including social support and intimate partner violence (IPV), respectively. Regarding the former, my present focus is on how genetic, neuroendocrinological, and early environmental factors interface with social support exchanged between intimate partners. With respect to the latter, my foci are on (a) the interplay of IPV and problematic substance and alcohol use, (b) examining ways to improve the self-report validity of IPV measures, and (c) factors that influence attitudes towards IPV. I am also beginning a line of research examining the role of situational and dispositional factors that influence men's perceptions of sexual consent.
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Binghamton University, State University of New York
Associate Professor of Psychology
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Richard E Mattson, Binghamton University - Using Character Traits to Identify Men Likely to Commit Sexual Assault - The Academic Minute
Sexual assault perpetrators carry similar character traits, so how do we identity them? Richard E. Mattson, director of the undergraduate program and a professor of psychology at Harpur College at Binghamton University, explains. Richard E. Mattson joined the Department of Psychology at Binghamton University in 2013. Mattson’s lab focuses on perceptions and attitudes relevant to […]
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How unsupportive partners can stress you out — and kill your sex drive
“I’m the manager of this relationship, trying to make things work while my boyfriend reaps the rewards”
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Your unsupportive partner is having an impact on your body
Research shows couples feel more understood, validated and cared for when partners show positive support skills, and this is reflected in stress hormone levels.
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More to the point, assuming that a single gene can make or break a marriage underestimates the complexity of genetics and marriage. It is possible that certain genes may be more or less detrimental depending on the rest of a partner’s genetic profile. However, there is currently no published data on which to rest any type of proposed match. So, ruling out prospective husbands on the basis of variations within or across genes doesn’t make much sense.
Nevertheless, there are still practical implications to our current findings. Researchers have shown that social support from intimate partners can buffer the deleterious effects of stress on mental and physical health. To the extent that particular genotypes impair an individual’s ability to feel supported, that person may be more susceptible to the effects of stress. Thus, screening men for the TT genotype on OXTR could assist in identifying those at risk for stress-related problems. In addition, future research may highlight how to tailor the delivery of social support in ways that can benefit these individuals.
