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Adolescent Health & Wellness Lab

Lab Director

Jessica Fales, PhD
Associate Professor
Washington State University
Department of Psychology
14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue
Vancouver, WA 98686
email: jessica.fales@wsu.edu

Dr. Fales is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Washington State University. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Maine in 2012. Dr. Fales developed a passion for pediatric pain prevention during her clinical internship in child-clinical/pediatric psychology at Oregon Health & Sciences University. She subsequently spent two years as a post-doctoral fellow at Seattle Children’s Research Institute contributing to clinical trials research for youth with chronic pain and their families.  Dr. Fales’s independent areas of inquiry are focused on the social functioning of adolescents with chronic pain, including how parental and peer interaction factors may predict youth’s pain characteristics, disability, and psychosocial outcomes. She also conducts research on health factors related to cannabis use in adolescent and young adult populations. In 2013 she was the recipient of the American Pain Society’s Future Leaders in Pain Research award and has current projects examining the role of peer victimization and daily interpersonal stressors on pain and disability in adolescents with chronic pain. Dr. Fales’s work has been supported by the Society of Pediatric Psychology, the American Pain Society, and the National Institutes of Health. Her work has also been funded by New Faculty and Grand Challenges seed grants awarded by Washington State University. Dr. Fales firmly believes that innovative and theory-driven research is essential for informing more effective prevention and intervention efforts for youth with chronic pain and their families.

When she’s not in the classroom or the lab, you can find Dr. Fales working in the fields on her family’s farm, playing with her dog, and exploring the beautiful Columbia Gorge.

Research Assistants

Shanna Sonnier, B.S.
Advanced Research Assistant

 

 

 

Zoey Michels
Research Assistant

 

 

 

 

Karina Hottinger
Research Assistant

 

 

 

Rose Hogeweide
Research Assistant

 

 

 

Shanna Sonnier recently graduated from WSU Vancouver summa cum laude with a B.S. in Psychology (minoring in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies). Shanna was the Psychology Department’s 2024 recipient of the Excellence in Research Award! Her interest in psychology arose during her young childhood years as she was a curious observer of human behavior, specifically involving intra-and interpersonal relationships. Her fascinations include the realms of health psychology, transpersonal psychology, somatic and nervous system healing. As an advanced research assistant in Dr. Fales’s lab, Shanna is currently completing a grant-funded project on self-compassion in young people with and without pain. She hopes her research will inform the development of more effective health promotion interventions for young people living with pain. Shanna aims to earn her master’s degree in mental health counseling. Outside of school Shanna loves to read, connect with her community, and hula-hoop dance.

 

 

 

 

Zoey Michels is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Human Development. She is currently the Vice President of the Psychology Club at WSU Vancouver and loves being involved in the WSU Vancouver community. When Zoey is not in school, she works as a Certified Behavior Technician helping children with autism and their families through Applied Behavior Analysis. Her interests include providing support to children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders and promoting the understanding and visibility of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. As a research assistant in Dr. Fales’s lab, Zoey is excited to work alongside inquisitive minds, learn more about the process of research, and interact with participants. Zoey hopes to obtain her doctorate in clinical child psychology, studying neurodevelopmental disorders. Outside of school, Zoey enjoys crocheting and spending time with her friends and family, especially her 12-year-old niece and 5-year-old nephew.

 

 

 

Karina Hottinger is a 3rd year undergraduate student majoring in psychology and minoring in neuroscience. After spending time learning about the nature and scope of the opioid epidemic in America, outside of class, Karina became aware of the need and opportunity to make a positive contribution in the field of addiction. This realization inspired Karina to focus her own research interests on opioid use disorder, pain threshold, and relapse prevention.  With the goal of entering a clinical psychology doctorate program, Karina is actively engaged in research-related activities on campus, and intent on learning as much as possible about all aspects of the research process. This fall Karina looks forward to working as a teaching assistant helping other behavioral science students prepare for conducting research by learning statistics. Karina is excited to participate in Dr. Fales’s lab and contribute to the important work being done regarding pediatric chronic pain. Outside of work and school Karina enjoys hiking, rock climbing, reading, and spending time with family.

 

 

 

Rose Hogeweide is a first-generation undergraduate student majoring in social sciences and minoring in psychology. Her studies focus on art and human development. She is most curious about children’s grief, cultural perspectives on death and dying, and unacknowledged loss. As a research assistant in Dr. Fales’s lab, Rose is eager to strengthen her critical thinking skills, deepen her curiosity, and widen her understanding of children’s grief within chronic pain. She currently volunteers with a children’s bereavement group offered by PeaceHealth Hospice and facilitates the nine to eleven-year-olds. Rose hopes to obtain her Master’s in Social Work and a certification in play therapy so that she can offer greater community support. In her free time, she goes on long nature walks, plays music, and enjoys the company of her six-year-old son.

 

 

Lab Alumni

A major goal of our lab is to produce thoughtful, engaged, and well-trained researchers who understand the value of science and aspire to apply its principles in their future careers. Research assistants in the Adolescent Health & Wellness lab have been accepted to master’s and doctoral level programs in psychology and related fields (social work, occupational therapy). In addition, our research assistants have received over $13,000 in grant support from the university to conduct independent research and disseminate their work at national conferences. See below for a sampling of representative student work.

Recent conference abstracts (^ indicates undergraduate student; *indicates graduate student)

  1. Sonnier, S.^, Cowing, L., Michels, Z., Bauer, H., Rhoda, K., Cox, J. & Fales, J. (2024). Is self-compassion linked with better health outcomes for young people with and without chronic pain? Abstract presentd at the Washington State University Vancouver’s 21st Annual Research Showcase (April 9; Vancouver, WA).
  2. Bauer, H.,^, Yun, E. J.,^, and Fales, J. (2024) Chronic pain, high impact chronic pain, and perceived social rejection among adolescents and young adults. Abstract presented at the Washington State University Vancouver’s 21st Annual Research Showcase (April 9; Vancouver, WA).
  3. Michels, Z.,^, Yun, E. J.,^ and Fales, J. (2024). Can peer relationships protect against the mental health consequences of exposure to adverse events in childhood? Abstract presented at the Washington State University Vancouver 21st Annual Research Showcase (April 9; Vancouver, WA).
  4. Yun, E.J.^ & Fales, J. (2023). The tolls of trauma: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to increased chronic pain severity and disordered eating symptoms in late adolescents and young adults. Abstracted presented at the 57th annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (November 16-19, Seattle, WA).
  5. Cowing, L.,^ Yun, E.,^ & Fales, J. (2023). Adverse childhood experiences in relation to disordered eating in young adulthood: Do current supportive family dynamics play a buffering role? Abstract presented at the 57th annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (November 16-19, Seattle, WA).
  6. Yun, E.J.^ & Fales, J. (2023). More symptoms, more problems: Co-occurring social anxiety and chronic pain are linked to more frequent peer victimization in adolescence. Abstract presented at the society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference (March 30-April 1, Chicago, IL).
  7. Roitman, M.*, Rankin, M.^, Yun, E.J.,^, & Fales (2023). Examining the links between social anxiety, social exclusion, and cyberbullying in adolescents with chronic pain. Abstract presented at the Society for Research on Child Development (March 23-35, Salt Lake City, UT)
  8. Rankin, M.^, Morse, J.^,  Fales, J. (2023). Stigma, prejudice, and racial bias faced by youth seeking treatment for sickle cell disease: A scoping review. Abstract presented at the Society of Pediatric Psychology’s Annual Conference (March 30-April 1, Chicago, IL).
  9. Robertson, T.,^, Macomber, M.,^, Yun, E.,^, Wilson, P.,^, & Fales, J. (2022). Pain narratives on TikTok: Evaluating social media disclosures of chronic pelvic pain in adolescent and young adult females. Poster and talk presented at the Society of Pediatric Psychology’s Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ.
  10. Lee, L.^, Moylan, M.* & Fales, J. (2021). When hurt people hurt people: Bully-victim status and its links to health outcomes in youth with and without chronic pain. Abstract presented virtually at the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s virtual conference (April 12-16, 2021).
  11. Benitez, H.^, Kaur, A.,^ Moylan, M.* & Fales, J. (2021). Negative interactions in parent-child relationships are associated with peer victimization in teens with and without chronic pain. Abstract presented virtually at the Society of Pediatric Psychology’s virtual conference (April 8-9, 2021).
  12. Kaur, A.^, Benitez, H.,^ Moylan, M.*, & Fales, J. (2021) Is being in a romantic relationship linked to internalizing symptoms and peer victimization among adolescents receiving treatment for chronic pain? Abstract presented virtually at the Society of Pediatric Psychology’s virtual conference (April 8-9, 2021).
  13. Moylan, M.* & Fales, J. (2021). The influence of gender and exercise on pain perception in young adults with chronic pain. Abstract presented as a Research Spotlight at the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s virtual conference (April 12-16, 2021).
  14. Moylan, M.* & Fales, J. (2021). The influence of pain catastrophizing and gender on pain following self-paced exercise in adolescents and young adults with chronic pain. Abstract presented at the Society of Pediatric Psychology’s virtual conference (Phoenix, AX, April 8-9, 2021).
  15. Moylan, M.* & Fales, J. (2020). Dating and depression in adolescents with and without chronic pain: The mediating role of peer victimization. Abstract presented virtually at the Society of Pediatric Psychology’s annual conference.
  16. Moylan, M.* & Fales, J. (2020). Does cannabis help or hurt? Examining the relationship between physical activity, cannabis use, and mood in individuals with chronic pain. Abstract presented virtually at the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s annual conference.
  17. Hardin, E.,^ Bambilla, A.^, Stone, A.^, Noel, M., & Fales, J. (2019). The effects of brief social exclusion on pain perception and pain memory in healthy adolescents. Poster accepted for presentation at the American Psychological Association’s annual conference in Chicago, IL.
  18. Bambilla, A.^, Hardin, E.,^ Stone, A.,^ & Fales, J. (2019). Peer relationships, social anxiety, and physical pain in adolescence: An exploratory study. Poster accepted for presentation at the American Psychological Association’s annual conference in Chicago, IL
  19. Stone, A.,^ Koceja, K.,^ Bambilla, A.^, & Fales, J. (2019). Social exclusion is associated with an analgesic response to acute pain for girls and enhanced pain sensitivity for boys. Poster presented at the Society of Pediatric Psychology’s annual conference in New Orleans, LA
  20. Rice, S. P. M.*, White, N. S.^, & Fales, J. (2018). The effect of being kind on acute experimental pain: A pilot randomized controlled trial of a kindness intervention for adolescents. Poster presented at the 19th annual convention of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology in Atlanta, GA.
  21. Fales, J. L., White, N. S.^, & Hefter, T.^ (2018). Pain profiles and health related quality of life among adolescent and young adult recreational marijuana users. Poster presented at the Society of Pediatric Psychology’s annual conference in Orlando, FL.
  22. Fales, J. L., Ladd, B., Magnan, R., & Hefter, T.^ (2018) Pain relief as a motivation for use in young adult recreational marijuana users with and without chronic pain. Poster presented at the American Pain Society’s scientific summit in Anaheim, CA.
  23. Hefter, T.,^ Ladd, B., Magnan, R., & Fales, J. L. (2018). Marijuana consumption patterns in young adults with and without pain. Poster presented at the American Pain Society’s scientific summit in Anaheim, CA.
  24. Bakko, K.^, Rice, S.*, & Fales, J. L. (2016). Do cyberbullying experiences contribute to negative attitudes about school among youth seeking treatment for chronic pain? Poster presented at the Society for Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA.