David Sbarra

Professor, Clinical
Director, Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine Minor
Director, Laboratory for Social Connectedness & Health (LSCH)
EOS Foundation Endowed Chair in Health Psychology
Interim Director of Belonging and Community
Sbarra Headshot

Psychology 264

520-626-6426
sbarra@arizona.edu

Research Interests: 

  • Social relationships and health, as well as stress and health - including: divorce, marital separation, loneliness.
  • Genetically-informed research – including: twin studies, polygenic risk scores, and Mendelian Randomization
  • Quantitative methods for the analysis of change
  • Open science

Updated: 07/25/25

Spring 2026 Research Assistant Applications Open!

We’re excited to announce that the labs of Dr. Jessica Andrews-Hanna and Dr. David Sbarra are currently recruiting undergraduate research assistants for the CLOSE study, which is a collaborative project exploring the neuroscience of empathy and rumination in close relationships. As a research assistant, you’ll gain hands-on experience working with behavioral, physiological, and real-world data collected from adult couples. 

Responsibilities may include:

  • Transcribing ambient conversations

  • Assessing social and couple dynamics in real world interactions   

All the work can be completed remotely, with RAs expected to attend weekly meetings over Zoom and maintain regular check-ins with their supervisor.

Academic Credit & Time Commitment 

  • During the fall and spring semesters, students can earn credit through independent study or directed research

  • Preference is given to Psychological Science majors planning to complete 3 units (9 hours/week) of directed research

  • Summer opportunities are also available

We require applicants who can commit to at least two semesters with the lab, regardless of start date. Students will be interviewed this fall 2025 and will start training at the beginning of the spring 2026 semester. To apply, please complete the application form by answering the questions at the following link:

https://forms.gle/z2WmwHon2o5PYT5c8

 

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Anoushka Chowdhary, at achowdhary@arizona.edu.

 

We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Selected Publications: 

  • Bourassa, K. J. & Sbarra, D. A. (2024). Trauma, adversity, and biological aging: Behavioral mechanisms relevant to treatment and theory. Translational Psychiatry, 14, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-03004-9
  • Sbarra, D.A., Ramadan, F.A., Choi, K.W., Treur, J.L., Levey, D.F., Wootton, R.E., Stein, M.B., Gelernter, J., & Klimentidis, Y.C. (2023). Loneliness and depression: Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization analyses using data from three large genome-wide association studies. Molecular Psychiatry, 28, 4594-4601.
  • Manvelian, A., Boyd, S., O’Hara, K. L., Watters, C., Liu, Y., & Sbarra, D. A. (2023). Promoting attachment security during the transition to college: A pilot study of emotionally focused mentoring. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 42, 4075-4101
  • Whisman, M. A., Sbarra, D. A., & Beach, S. R. (2021). Intimate relationships and depression: Searching for causation in the sea of association. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 17, 223-258. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-103323.
  • Holt-Lunstad, J., Robles, T.F., & Sbarra, D.A. (2017). Advancing social connection as a public health priority in the United States. American Psychologist, 72, 517-530.

Courses Taught:

  • PSY 383 - Health Psychology (2024)
  • PSY 601A - Foundations in Clinical Psychological Science I: Ethics (2026)
  • PSY 694B - Psychosocial Intervention Practicum (2017)
  • PSY 697 - Psychosocial Intervention Practicum (2016)

*Year listed indicates when this individual last taught the specified course.

Updated: 09/03/25

Degrees

  • B.S., Cornell University (1996)
  • Clinical Internship, University of Wisconsin Department of Psychiatry
  • Ph.D. University of Virginia (2004)