Prof. Melanie Nyhof presents research at conference in Puerto Rico
Melanie Nyhof, professor of psychological science, recently went on a research trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
During her trip, Prof. Nyhof and her collaborator, Professor Julianne Bryant (Biola University), presented preliminary findings of their ongoing research on the role of religion in response to crises in Puerto Rico at the International Conference on Literature and Hispanic Studies on March 10.
Prof. Nyhof’s presentation, entitled “Religion and the Pueblo: Spiritual and Emotional Care in the Wake of Crisis,” was part of a conference panel on “Hambre, ruinas, devastaciones sociales y reacciones frente a las pandemias” (“Hunger, ruin, social devastation, and reactions to pandemics”).
At Carthage, Prof. Nyhof is working with a group of bilingual psychology students to analyze data from interviews with participants from three religious communities in Puerto Rico about their experiences after the crises of Hurricane Maria, political unrest, earthquakes, and the pandemic.
Prof. Nyhof is an internationally-recognized leader in the scientific study of religion. Her work views religious rituals and beliefs through a developmental and cross-cultural lens. She has conducted research among different religious and cultural groups in the United States, Puerto Rico, Indonesia, Brazil, and China, examining understanding of illness causation, personhood, God concepts, afterlife beliefs, knowledge, and religion.
Sponsoring Department, Office, or Organization:
Psychological Science Department
For more information, contact:
Anthony Barnhart: abarnhart@carthage.edu