Christopher Johnson

Psychology

Associate Professor


Christopher Johnson

Contact Information

Office Location: EDUC 492
Phone: 801-995-0294
Email: christopher.johnson@usu.edu

Emphasis

Mindfulness meditation; metta (Lovingkindness) meditation; structural equation modeling; psychometrics; the application of technology (telemedicine, interactive voice response, and telephone/Internet assessment) to investigations of sexual risk-taking, health, and general well-being.

Biography

I am an Associate Professor of Psychology at Utah State University. I came to USU in the fall of 2008 from Ohio University's College of Osteopathic Medicine. My primary research agenda involves: (a) examining the mechanisms of action through which mindfulness meditation improves individuals' well-being and incites positive change and (b) teaching and implementing mindfulness meditation skills via a broad range of mediums/technologies. His studies of mindfulness have ranged from investigating measurement and cross-cultural issues to complex statistical modeling of current theories of mindfulness meditation and metta (lovingkindness) meditation. My students and I have examined mindfulness, well-being, and health outcomes in underserved and rural populations across the country. Broadly speaking, my secondary line of research has applied technology-dependent methodology to investigate various psychosocial factors influencing health in HIV/AIDS patients. My recent work has been published in the journals AIDS Care and The Archives of Sexual Behavior. I holds BS degrees from the University of Utah where I studied psychology and sociology. He earned an MA in experimental psychology and his PhD in health psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso. I am affiliated with Utah State University's Regional Campus system and frequently travel to various locations to meet with students and to conduct research. This unique position allows me to interact with both graduate students and undergraduate students on the main campus in Logan, as well as all statewide campuses and centers in the state. I am strongly invested in my opportunity to work with USU's traditional and distance students. I mentor undergraduate and graduate students with experimental and/or applied research aspirations. If you are interested in working with me, please reach out to discuss whether our scholarly ambitions overlap.