Dr. Vicki Helgeson

Professor

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Biography

Vicki Helgeson's research interests focus on how people adjust to chronic illness, specifically examining heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. With over 25 years in the field of health psychology and social psychology, she studies the implications of gender-related traits, such as agency and communion, on health adjustment. Her work highlights the psychological impact of chronic illness and the social factors influencing health, including the roles of friends, family, and romantic partners. Vicki's interventions aim to enhance support among peers facing similar health challenges, and she is involved in large-scale studies examining the experiences of adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. She has also contributed significantly to understanding how personality traits affect health behaviors and overall well-being in both healthy populations and those coping with chronic diseases. Vicki teaches a course on Psychology and Gender, aligning with her research interests in the effects of gender on health outcomes and interpersonal relationships.

Research Interests

Requirements for Carnegie Mellon University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
GRE General
Verbal
Required:158
Quantitative
Required:149
Analytical Writing
Required:4
Overall
Required:4
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field Research experience/publications
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • GRE scores (optional but reported in profile)
  • English Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo)
Specialization Notes

Admission is extremely competitive with no strict GPA cut-offs; holistic review is used.