In addition to applied research, the lab conducts basic research in the following theoretical frameworks: Attribution theory, goal disruption theory, psychological reactance theory, and vested interest theory.

*indicates the author was a student at the time the research was conducted.

Attribution Theory

Muschetto, T., & Siegel, J. T. (2025). Application of Weiner's Attribution-Emotion-Action Model to increase support to people with depression. In M. C. Yzer & J. T. Siegel (Eds), Handbook of mental health communication. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Marshburn, A.*, & Siegel, J. T. (2025). Depression, mental health culture, and graduate students: A low-cost, poster-based intervention using attribution messages. Journal of American College Health. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2024.2446441

Yao, E.*, & Siegel, J. T. (2024). Weiner’s Attribution-Emotion-Action Model: Uncovering the mediating role of self-blame and the moderating effect of the helper’s responsibility for the help recipient’s behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167224123813

Muschetto, T.*, & Siegel, J. T. (2023). Perceived stability of depressive symptomology and willingness to help relational partners: An attributional perspective. Current Psychology, 42, 14076–14091. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02708-9

Yao, E.*, & Siegel, J. T., (2021). The influence of perceptions of intentionality and controllability on perceived responsibility: Applying attribution theory to people’s responses to social transgression in the COVID-19 pandemic. Motivation Science, 7(2), 199–206. https://doi.org/10.1037/mot0000220

Ruybal, A.*, & Siegel, J. T. (2021). Increasing social support for women with postpartum depression through attribution theory guided vignettes and video messages: The understudied role of effort. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 97, Article 104197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2021.104197

Muschetto, T.*, & Siegel, J. T. (2021). Bibliometric review of attribution theory: A document co-citation analysis. Motivation Science, 7(4), 439–450. https://doi.org/10.1037/mot0000253

Yao, E.*, & Siegel, J. T. (2021). Examining the role of interpersonal relationship on attribution, emotion, and depression support provision: Experimental evidence from the People’s Republic of China. Motivation Science, 7(1), 46–55. https://doi.org/10.1037/mot0000180

Muschetto, T.*, & Siegel, J. T. (2020). Use of attribution vignettes and public service announcements to influence perceived stability of depression: The impact on affect, outcome expectancy, and helping judgments. Stigma and Health, 5(1), 69–78. https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000174

Ruybal, A. L.*, & Siegel, J. T. (2019). Attribution theory and reducing stigma toward women with postpartum depression: Examining the role of perceptions of stability. Stigma and Health, 4(3), 320–329. https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000146

Muschetto, T., & Siegel, J. T. (2019). Attribution theory and support for individuals with depression: The impact of controllability, stability, and interpersonal relationship. Stigma and Health, 4(2), 126–135. https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000131

Ruybal, A. L., & Siegel, J. T. (2017). Increasing social support for women with postpartum depression: An application of attribution theory. Stigma and Health, 2(2), 137–156. https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000047

Mokkarala, S.*, O’Brien, E. K.*, & Siegel, J. T. (2016). The relationship between shame and perceived biological origins of mental illness among South Asian and White Americans. Psychology, Health, and Medicine, 21(4), 448–459. https://doi.org//10.1080/13548506.2015.1090615

Sperry, K., & Siegel, J. T. (2013). Victim responsibility, credibility, and verdict in a simulated rape case: Application of Weiner's attribution model. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 18(1), 16–29. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8333.2011.02022.x

Siegel, J. T., Alvaro. E. A., Crano, W. D., Lienemann, B.*, Hohman, Z.*, & O’Brien, E. K.* (2012). Increasing social support for depressed individuals: A cross-cultural assessment of an affect-expectancy approach. Journal of Health Communication, 17(6), 713–732. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2011.635775.

Siegel, J. T., & Yzer, M. C. (accepted for publication). Adverse unintended effects of anti-stigma campaigns and intervention messages: A typology of iatrogenic outcomes among the general population and those with stigmatized conditions. Stigma and Health.

Siegel, J. T., & Yzer, M. C. (in press). Adverse unintended effects of anti-stigma campaigns and intervention messages: First, do no harm. Stigma and Health.

Goal Disruption Theory

Rosenberg, B. D.*, & Siegel, J. T. (2016). The effect of inconsistency appeals on the influence of direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertisements: An application of goal disruption theory. Journal of Health Communication, 21(2), Article 217227. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2015.1058439

Rosenberg, B. D., Lewandowski, J. A., & Siegel, J. T. (2015). Goal disruption theory, military personnel, and the creation of merged profiles: A mixed methods investigation. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 9(1), 51–69. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689813508006

Siegel, J. T. (2011). Dying for romance: Risk taking as purposive behavior. Psychology, Health and Medicine, 16(6), 719–726. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2011.579985

Siegel, J. T., Crano, W. D., Alvaro, E. A., Lac, A*, Rast, D.* & Kettering, V.* (2012). Dying to be popular: A purposive explanation of adolescent willingness to endure harm. In M. A. Hogg & Blaylock, D. (Eds.), Extremism and the Psychology of Uncertainty (pp. 163–186). Wiley-Blackwell.

Psychological Reactance Theory

Siegel, J. T., & Rosenberg, B. D. (2024). The reactive spiral: An initial empirical assessment.

Motivation Science. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/mot0000363

Rosenberg, B., Marshburn, A.*, & Siegel, J.  (2022). Persuasive communication: Source, message, audience. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190236557.013.285

Donaldson, C. D.*, Alvaro, E. A., Siegel, J. T., & Crano, W. D. (2023) Psychological reactance and adolescent cannabis use: The role of parental warmth and monitoring. Addictive Behaviors, 136, Article 107466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107466

Rosenberg, B. D.*, & Siegel, J. T., (2021). Threatening uncertainty and psychological reactance: Are freedom threats always noxious? Current Psychology, 42, 3968–3977. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01640-8

Rosenberg, B. D., & Siegel, J. T. (2020). Reactance and spiritual possibilities: An application of psychological reactance theory. In K. E. Vail & C. Routledge (Eds.), The science of religion, spirituality, and existentialism (pp. 67–82). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2018-0-01248-7

Rosenberg, B. D.*, & Siegel, J. T. (2018). A 50-year review of psychological reactance theory: Do not read this article.Motivation Science, 4(4), 281–300. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/mot0000091

Siegel, J. T., Lienemann, B. A.*, & Rosenberg, B. D.* (2017). Resistance, reactance, and misinterpretation: Highlighting the challenge of persuading people with depression to seek help. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 11(6), Article e12322. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12322

Lienemann, B. A.*, & Siegel, J. T. (2016). State psychological reactance to depression public service announcements among people with varying levels of depressive symptomatology. Health Communication, 31(1), 102–116. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2014.940668

Siegel, J. T., Lienemann, B. A.*, & Tan, C. N.* (2015). Influencing help-seeking among people with elevated depressive symptomatology: Mistargeting as a persuasive technique. Clinical Psychological Science, 3(2), 242–255. https://doi-org.ccl.idm.oclc.org/10.1177/2167702614542846

Rosenberg, B. D., Coulson, T. B., II,* Falco, C. M.,* & Siegel, J. T. (in press). Don’t tread on me: Freedom and reactance to autonomy threat. In K. Vail, D. V. Tongeren, B. Schegel, J. Greenberg, L. King, & R. Ryan (Eds.), Handbook of the science of existential psychology. Guilford Press.

Vested Interest Theory

Marshburn, A.*, & Siegel, J. T. (2023). Vested in support: applying vested interest theory to increase support for close others with depression. Journal of Health Psychology, 28(4), 328–342. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053221115626

Siegel, J. T., Blazek*, D. R., McManus, M. D.*, Alvaro, E. A., & Crano, W. D. (2021). It's all relative: Increasing organ donor registration intentions by maximizing family-relevant vested interest. Journal of Health Psychology, 26(6), 818–830. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105319845130

Donaldson, C. D.*, Siegel, J. T., & Crano, W. D. (2020). Preventing college student nonmedical prescription stimulant use: development of vested interest theory-based persuasive messages. Addictive Behaviors, 108, Article 106440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106440

Siegel, J. T., Donaldson, C. D.*, & Crano, W. D. (2019). Application of vested interest theory to prevention of non-medical prescription stimulant and marijuana use: Unforeseen benefits of attitude-behavior inconsistency. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 194, 210–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.10.007

Donaldson, C. D.*, Siegel, J. T., & Crano, W. D. (2016). Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants in college students: Attitudes, intentions, and vested interest. Addictive Behaviors, 53, 101–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.10.007