Bourassa, Kyle | Scholars@Duke

Kyle Bourassa
Affiliate

Current Research Interests

Kyle is an Advanced Fellow in the Geriatrics Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) at the Durham VA Health Care System. He continues to collaborate with the Moffitt-Caspi Lab at Duke University and was previously funded by the National Institute on Aging through a T32 training grant (T32-AG000029) provided to the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development at the Duke University Medical Center. Kyle received his B.A. from the University of Virginia in Psychology and History. He subsequently received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Health Psychology from the University of Arizona. He completed his doctoral internship at the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System in Seattle.

Kyle’s research focuses on understanding the impact of stressful life events—such as divorce, bereavement, and trauma—on health across the lifespan. His work examines the social, behavioral, and affective mechanisms that link the experience of these stressors with dysregulated cardiovascular physiology, relevant disease outcomes, and mortality. To do so, Kyle makes use of both longitudinal cohort study designs and lab-based experimental paradigms, integrating top-down and bottom-up approaches. In addition to his work examining mechanisms of action, Kyle also studies how behavioral interventions might improve health among people who experience stressful life events.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Affiliate, Psychology & Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences

Contact Information

Research
Fellowships, Supported Research, & Other Grants
- Postdoctoral Training Grant (T32AG000029) awarded by National Institute of Aging 2019
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Bourassa, K. J., Moffitt, T. E., Harrington, H., Houts, R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Caspi, A. (2022). Childhood Adversity and Midlife Health: Shining a Light on the Black Box of Psychosocial Mechanisms. Prevention Science : The Official Journal of the Society for Prevention Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-022-01431-y
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., & Sbarra, D. A. (2022). Cardiovascular reactivity, stress, and personal emotional salience: Choose your tasks carefully. Psychophysiology, 59(8), e14037. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.14037
    Full Text
  - Sugden, K., Caspi, A., Elliott, M. L., Bourassa, K. J., Chamarti, K., Corcoran, D. L., … Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, . (2022). Association of Pace of Aging Measured by Blood-Based DNA Methylation With Age-Related Cognitive Impairment and Dementia. Neurology, 10.1212/WNL.0000000000200898. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.0000000000200898
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Moffitt, T. E., Ambler, A., Hariri, A. R., Harrington, H., Houts, R. M., … Caspi, A. (2022). Association of Treatable Health Conditions During Adolescence With Accelerated Aging at Midlife. Jama Pediatrics, 176(4), 392–399. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.6417
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Rasmussen, L. J. H., Danese, A., Eugen-Olsen, J., Harrington, H., Houts, R., … Caspi, A. (2021). Linking stressful life events and chronic inflammation using suPAR (soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor). Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 97, 79–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2021.06.018
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Moffitt, T. E., Harrington, H., Houts, R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., & Caspi, A. (2021). Lower Cardiovascular Reactivity is Associated with More Childhood Adversity and Poorer Midlife Health: Replicated Findings from the Dunedin and MIDUS Cohorts. Clinical Psychological Science : A Journal of the Association for Psychological Science, 9(5), 961–978. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702621993900
    Full Text
  - Wertz, J., Israel, S., Arseneault, L., Belsky, D. W., Bourassa, K. J., Harrington, H., … Caspi, A. (2021). Vital personality scores and healthy aging: Life-course associations and familial transmission. Social Science & Medicine (1982), 285, 114283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114283
    Full Text
  - Gehred, M. Z., Knodt, A. R., Ambler, A., Bourassa, K. J., Danese, A., Elliott, M. L., … Caspi, A. (2021). Long-term Neural Embedding of Childhood Adversity in a Population-Representative Birth Cohort Followed for 5 Decades. Biological Psychiatry, 90(3), 182–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.02.971
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J. (2021). Financial Stressors During the Great Recession and Subsequent Risk of Early Mortality. Psychosomatic Medicine, 83(5), 457–462. https://doi.org/10.1097/psy.0000000000000943
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J. (2021). State-Level Stay-at-Home Orders and Objectively Measured Movement in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Psychosomatic Medicine, 83(4), 358–362. https://doi.org/10.1097/psy.0000000000000905
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Hendrickson, R. C., Reger, G. M., & Norr, A. M. (2021). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Effects on Cardiovascular Physiology: A Systematic Review and Agenda for Future Research. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 34(2), 384–393. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22637
    Full Text
  - Stevens, E. S., Bourassa, K. J., Norr, A. M., & Reger, G. M. (2021). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Cluster Structure in Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Virtual Reality Exposure. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 34(2), 287–297. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22602
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Sbarra, D. A., Caspi, A., & Moffitt, T. E. (2020). Social Distancing as a Health Behavior: County-Level Movement in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Associated with Conventional Health Behaviors. Annals of Behavioral Medicine : A Publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 54(8), 548–556. https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kaaa049
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Cornelius, T., & Birk, J. L. (2020). Bereavement is associated with reduced systemic inflammation: C-reactive protein before and after widowhood. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 88, 925–929. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2020.04.023
    Full Text
  - Reger, G. M., Bourassa, K., Norr, A. M., & Buck, B. (2020). The impact of exposure therapy on stigma and mental health treatment attitudes among active duty U.S. soldiers with combat related PTSD. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 126, 98–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.05.005
    Full Text
  - Cornelius, T., Birk, J. L., Bourassa, K., Umland, R. C., & Kronish, I. M. (2020). Partner presence in the emergency department and adherence to daily cardiovascular medications in patients evaluated for acute coronary syndrome. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 43(3), 402–410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-020-00139-0
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Smolenski, D. J., Edwards-Stewart, A., Campbell, S. B., Reger, G. M., & Norr, A. M. (2020). The impact of prolonged exposure therapy on social support and PTSD symptoms. Journal of Affective Disorders, 260, 410–417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.09.036
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Stevens, E. S., Katz, A. C., Rothbaum, B. O., Reger, G. M., & Norr, A. M. (2020). The Impact of Exposure Therapy on Resting Heart Rate and Heart Rate Reactivity Among Active-Duty Soldiers With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Psychosomatic Medicine, 82(1), 108–114. https://doi.org/10.1097/psy.0000000000000758
    Full Text
  - Memel, M., Woolverton, C. B., Bourassa, K., & Glisky, E. L. (2019). Working memory predicts subsequent episodic memory decline during healthy cognitive aging: evidence from a cross-lagged panel design. Neuropsychology, Development, and Cognition. Section B, Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition, 26(5), 711–730. https://doi.org/10.1080/13825585.2018.1521507
    Full Text
  - Norr, A. M., Bourassa, K. J., Stevens, E. S., Hawrilenko, M. J., Michael, S. T., & Reger, G. M. (2019). Relationship between change in in-vivo exposure distress and PTSD symptoms during exposure therapy for active duty soldiers. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 116, 133–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.06.013
    Full Text
  - Reger, G. M., Bourassa, K. J., Smolenski, D., Buck, B., & Norr, A. M. (2019). Lifetime trauma exposure among those with combat-related PTSD: Psychiatric risk among U.S. military personnel. Psychiatry Research, 278, 309–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.06.033
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Hasselmo, K., & Sbarra, D. A. (2019). After the end: Linguistic predictors of psychological distress 4 years after marital separation. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(6), 1872–1891. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407518774428
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Ruiz, J. M., & Sbarra, D. A. (2019). The impact of physical proximity and attachment working models on cardiovascular reactivity: Comparing mental activation and romantic partner presence. Psychophysiology, 56(5), e13324. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.13324
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Ruiz, J. M., & Sbarra, D. A. (2019). Smoking and Physical Activity Explain the Increased Mortality Risk Following Marital Separation and Divorce: Evidence From the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Annals of Behavioral Medicine : A Publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 53(3), 255–266. https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kay038
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Sbarra, D. A., Ruiz, J. M., Karciroti, N., & Harburg, E. (2019). Mismatch in Spouses' Anger-Coping Response Styles and Risk of Early Mortality: A 32-Year Follow-Up Study. Psychosomatic Medicine, 81(1), 26–33. https://doi.org/10.1097/psy.0000000000000653
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Tackman, A. M., Mehl, M. R., & Sbarra, D. A. (2019). Psychological overinvolvement, emotional distress, and daily affect following marital dissolution. Collabra: Psychology, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1525/collabra.184
    Full Text
  - Moe, A. M., Breitborde, N. J. K., Bourassa, K. J., Gallagher, C. J., Shakeel, M. K., & Docherty, N. M. (2018). Schizophrenia, narrative, and neurocognition: The utility of life-stories in understanding social problem-solving skills. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 41(2), 83–91. https://doi.org/10.1037/prj0000286
    Full Text
  - Manvelian, A., Bourassa, K. J., Lawrence, E., Mehl, M. R., & Sbarra, D. A. (2018). With or without you? Loss of self following marital separation. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 37(4), 297–324. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2018.37.4.297
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Allen, J. J. B., Mehl, M. R., & Sbarra, D. A. (2017). Impact of Narrative Expressive Writing on Heart Rate, Heart Rate Variability, and Blood Pressure After Marital Separation. Psychosomatic Medicine, 79(6), 697–705. https://doi.org/10.1097/psy.0000000000000475
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Manvelian, A., Boals, A., Mehl, M. R., & Sbarra, D. A. (2017). Tell me a story: The creation of narrative as a mechanism of psychological recovery following marital separation. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 36(5), 359–379. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2017.36.5.359
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Memel, M., Woolverton, C., & Sbarra, D. A. (2017). Social participation predicts cognitive functioning in aging adults over time: comparisons with physical health, depression, and physical activity. Aging & Mental Health, 21(2), 133–146. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2015.1081152
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K., & Sbarra, D. A. (2017). Body mass and cognitive decline are indirectly associated via inflammation among aging adults. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 60, 63–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2016.09.023
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Hasselmo, K., & Sbarra, D. A. (2016). Heart Rate Variability Moderates the Association Between Separation-Related Psychological Distress and Blood Pressure Reactivity Over Time. Psychological Science, 27(8), 1123–1135. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797616651972
    Full Text
  - Memel, M., Bourassa, K., Woolverton, C., & Sbarra, D. A. (2016). Body Mass and Physical Activity Uniquely Predict Change in Cognition for Aging Adults. Annals of Behavioral Medicine : A Publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 50(3), 397–408. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-015-9768-2
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Knowles, L. M., Sbarra, D. A., & O’Connor, M.-F. (2016). Absent but Not Gone: Interdependence in Couples' Quality of Life Persists After a Partner's Death. Psychological Science, 27(2), 270–281. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797615618968
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Memel, M., Woolverton, C., & Sbarra, D. A. (2015). A dyadic approach to health, cognition, and quality of life in aging adults. Psychology and Aging, 30(2), 449–461. https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000025
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Sbarra, D. A., & Whisman, M. A. (2015). Women in very low quality marriages gain life satisfaction following divorce. Journal of Family Psychology : Jfp : Journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43), 29(3), 490–499. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000075
    Full Text
  - Sbarra, D. A., Hasselmo, K., & Bourassa, K. J. (2015). Divorce and Health: Beyond Individual Differences. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 24(2), 109–113. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721414559125
    Full Text
- Conference Papers
  - Bourassa, K. J., & Ssbarra, D. A. (2022). CARDIOVASCULAR REACTIVITY AND THE EMOTIONAL SALIENCE OF LABORATORY STRESSORS. In Psychosomatic Medicine (Vol. 84, pp. A88–A88).
    Link to Item
  - Bourassa, K. J., Caspi, A., & Moffitt, T. E. (2021). ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND POORER HEALTH IN MIDLIFE: INVESTIGATING PSYCHOSOCIAL MECHANISMS OF ACTION. In Psychosomatic Medicine (Vol. 83, pp. A22–A23).
    Link to Item
  - Bourassa, K. J., Caspi, A., Harrington, H., Houts, R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., & Moffitt, T. E. (2020). Intimate partner violence and lower relationship quality are associated with faster biological aging. In Psychology and Aging (Vol. 35, pp. 1127–1139). https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000581
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K. J., Moffitt, T. E., & Caspi, A. (2020). ARE PEOPLE WITH GREATER CARDIOVASCULAR REACTIVITY SMARTER, HAPPIER, AND HEALTHIER? COUNTERINTUITIVE FINDINGS IN THE DUNEDIN AND MIDUS STUDIES. In Psychosomatic Medicine (Vol. 82, pp. A225–A225).
    Link to Item
- Preprints
  - Bourassa, K. (2020). State-level Stay-at-home Orders and Objectively Measured Movement in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/hyd57
    Full Text
  - Bourassa, K., Sbarra, D., Caspi, A., & Moffitt, T. (2020). Social Distancing as a Health Behavior: County-level Movement in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic is Associated with Conventional Health Behaviors. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/bt5ac
    Full Text

Some information on this profile has been compiled automatically from Duke databases and external sources. (Our About page explains how this works.) If you see a problem with the information, please write to Scholars@Duke and let us know. We will reply promptly.

Fellowships, Supported Research, & Other Grants

Selected Publications

Academic Articles

Conference Papers

Preprints