Black Hills State University Recognizes Dr. Nathan Deichert for Recent Research Publication

Black Hills State University recognizes Dr. Nathan Deichert, Associate Professor of Psychology in the School of Behavioral Sciences for his recent research publication achievement.

This January, a research paper Dr. Deichert co-authored with Dr. Erin Fekete from the University of Indianapolis was published in the Journal of Happiness Studies. Titled “A Brief Gratitude Writing Intervention Decreased Stress and Negative Affect During the COVID-19 Pandemic” the article described the results of a study on gratitude and expressive writing exercises. Assessments of the study participants’ mental and physical health were used to determine the effect of these writing exercises, with a control group also assessed for comparison. The expressive writing group showed no significant changes, but the gratitude writing group demonstrated decreased stress and negative affect that lasted one month following the writing intervention.

Dr. Deichert teaches health psychology, research methods, and general psychology, and has also designed a course in positive psychology. Meanwhile, he conducts professional research that focuses on how people’s environment and mood relate to their health.

“As an undergraduate student, I took an introduction to psychology course and became incredibly interested in how the mind works, particularly with how our feelings and social environment can impact our physical health,” said Dr. Deichert.

Dr. Deichert received his bachelor’s degree in psychology at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, followed by a Master’s in General Psychology at Bucknell University and a Doctorate in Experimental Social Health Psychology at Kent State University. He joined the Psychology Department at Black Hills State University in 2013 and has been an influential contributor to the university ever since.

“Dr. Deichert is a strong leader and mentor for our School of Behavioral Sciences as a researcher and teacher. In addition to his personal research, Dr. Deichert is sought out as a research design expert across disciplines in the university, and his collaborations have assisted numerous research projects and publications,” said Dr. Betsy Silva, Dean for the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at BHSU.

For more information, contact Dr. Nathan Deichert at Nathan.Deichert@bhsu.edu or Dr. Betsy Silva at Betsy.Silva@bhsu.edu.