Patrick Nickoletti, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies
Contact
Phone: 860.231.5313
E-mail:
pnickoletti@sjc.edu
Dr. Patrick Nickoletti's study of developmental psychology has evolved across his life, from childhood to academia. This fascination is fueled by the challenge of understanding multiple levels of human existence as they occur across the life span. He is currently interested in the processes by which early experiences shape later life, especially those processes promoting vulnerability or resilience to childhood trauma. As a result, Dr. Nickoletti is involved in research with children and adolescents in the hopes of helping increase their adaptability and prospects for achieving healthy lives. Specifically, he has been researching the way abused and neglected children think and how prevention programs can be tailored to help more vulnerable kids.
Dr. Nickoletti believes knowledge is socially constructed. It's a tradition of sharing ideas that's as old as humanity. He comments, "We all have the potential to learn from and contribute to this sharing." In the classroom, students bring their knowledge and while learning from them, he offers the support needed to better understand development and its usefulness in helping others. Above all, he stresses that learning is a lifelong commitment, one that should serve the student as well as their families, communities, and society.
"I'm passionate about human development because it helps make sense of the many levels of existence that together comprise who we are, including that elusive dimension: time." He continues, "Studying development offers students the tools to explore their uniqueness in the moment as well as their deep commonalities with others across the life span (and beyond). Ultimately, human development embraces both our individuality and our humanity."
Degrees
Ph.D., University of Chicago (Comparative Human Development)
M.A., University of Chicago (Psychology and Human Development)
B.A., Purdue University (Clinical Psychology)
B.S., Purdue University (Comparative Biology)
Research Activities and Publications
• Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program -- Integrating Services, Programs and Strategies through Community-wide Initiatives Grant, CDC and City of Hartford, Hartford, CT (2010-2015)
• Juvenile (Prison) Reentry SAMHSA Grant Proposal, North Hartford Collaborative, CT (2009)
• Milner School Project, Department of Child and Families, Research and Grant Consultant,
Hartford, CT (2005-2009)
• Yale University/Saint Joseph College/Gateway Community College Co-Investigator,
“At Risk Student Rational Emotive Curriculum Project,” New Haven, CT (2007-2009)
• Saint Francis Hospital/Etna Children’s Center Research, SAMHSA Grant Evaluator,
“Community Trauma Services Program,” Hartford, CT (2007)
• Saint Francis Hospital/Etna Children’s Center, Donaghue, Grant Consultant, “Multigenerational Sexual Abuse Prevention Program.” Hartford, CT (2005-2006)
• Berger Research Fellow, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Pediatrics (2000-2004)
• Nickoletti, P. and Taussig, H. (2005). "Outcome Expectancies and Risk Behaviors in Maltreated Adolescents," Journal for Research on Adolescence.
• Nickoletti, P. (2010). “Human Development and Its Implications for Legal Decisions Regarding Children and Families.” In Madden, R. and Vanderbilt, L., Relationship-Centered Lawyering. Durham, NC: North Carolina Press, pp. 167-178.
• Statewide Injury Prevention Community Planning Group (2008). Connecticut Injury Prevention
• and Control Plan. State of Connecticut Department of Public Health
• Nickoletti, P. & Taussig, H., (2006). Outcome Expectancies and Risk Behaviors in Maltreated Adolescents. Journal of Research on Adolescence (May)
Courses Taught at SJC
Human Development and Family Studies (graduate and undergraduate courses)
“Research Methods in Development”
“Adolescence”
“Life Span Development”
“Children’s Expressive Behavior”
“Child Growth & Development”
“Advanced Child Development”
“Family Relations”
“Resilience and Risk in Adolescence”
“Community Field Placement”
“Community Internship”
“Developmental Impact of Child Maltreatment”
“Youth Services”
Psychology Department
“Adolescent Development”
“Child Abuse and Neglect”
