Emma Tussey

Emma Tussey, M.S. | Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology | Expected graduation 2026

ISU Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate, Emma Tussey, received a Psi Chi Graduate Research Award of $1,500 to work on her dissertation project, "Investigating Mechanisms in the Sleep-Alcohol Relationship: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Approach." This is the second Psi Chi Graduate Research Award that Emma received. She was also funded for her thesis projects. 

Emma’s areas of interest and research are in sleep, substance use, and affective science. The PSI Chi Graduate Research Award will fund Emma’s dissertation project, which seeks to identify changes in mood as the mechanism for the relationship between sleep disturbance and alcohol intake. The project involves intensive outpatient data collection of mood, sleep, and alcohol use behavior and the grant will enable Emma to pay individuals for their participation in the study. 

Emma says that previous research identifies sleep disturbance as a risk factor for alcohol use disorders. “This project offers an exciting opportunity to understand this relationship further,” she says. “The study aims to identify mechanisms for the relationship between sleep disturbance and subsequent alcohol use. Understanding how this relationship works can help prevent alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorders. When we understand the mechanisms for a relationship, we can intervene on those mechanisms to prevent certain outcomes. In this case, understanding the mechanisms for the relationship between sleep and alcohol use can assist public health officials in preventing alcohol misuse and the development of alcohol use disorders.”