Identity, Social Connection, and Loneliness

🌐 Welcome to Self & Identity

Exploring the Power of Connection in a Lonely World

In a time where digital networks span the globe, paradoxically, more people are feeling isolated than ever before. Research over the past two decades has revealed a sobering truth: chronic loneliness is just as detrimental to your health as smoking, poor diet, or lack of physical activity.

Here at Self & Identity, we explore the essential role social connection plays in our physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. More than just a research platform, this site is a hub for insight, empowerment, and action.Curtis Peterson, Ph.D.

Biography

Dr. Peterson, a seasoned professional in the field of psychology, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical/Experimental Psychology, a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and a Doctorate in Psychology with a specialization in Social Psychology.

With over 15 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Peterson has made significant contributions to various disciplines, including psychology, sociology, counseling, criminal justice, and social services. Dr. Peterson is currently the Area Chair for the Social and Behavioral Sciences at Tohono O’odham Community College. He is also a contributing faculty for Walden University and Southern New Hampshire University. Prior to his academic career, he gained valuable experience in the field of psychology by working with survivors of family violence, children who have been sexually abused, and contributing to the development of intervention programs for elder abuse and stalking.

Dr. Peterson’s academic journey includes a Master’s thesis titled “Increasing Job Satisfaction Through Increasing Organizational Commitment: A Training Model” and a dissertation titled “How Social Identity Influences Social and Emotional Loneliness.” His active area of research centers around loneliness and identity, exploring their impact on health and well-being. Dr. Peterson has conducted extensive research on diverse topics such as community and professional response to terrorist attacks, suicide completion causal factors, attitudes towards individuals with epilepsy, effectiveness of mental health peer support programs, and more.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Peterson has been an advocate for community well-being, contributing to applied research programs aimed at enhancing the performance of not-for-profit organizations. His expertise extends to various aspects of psychology, including the effects of domestic violence on pregnant women, the effectiveness of father support groups, and non-cognitive factors influencing classroom performance.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Dr. Peterson is happily married to an accomplished woman with expertise in early childhood education. His wife serves as the education specialist for the Tucson Children’s Museum. Together, they cherish a family of five adult children and five beautiful grandchildren. Dr. Peterson takes pride in ensuring his grandchildren are spoiled, as he believes it to be a grandparent’s joyful duty.

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Professional Affiliations

Course Teaching History

Introductory Courses

• General Psychology (102) (Grand Canyon University)
• Introduction to Psychology (Arizona Western College, Helena College University of Montana, Tohono O’odham Community College, Southern New Hampshire University)
• Essentials in Psychology (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Fundamentals of Learning (Helena College University of Montana)
• Introduction to Criminology (Helena College University of Montana)
• Introduction to Sociology (Arizona Western College, Helena College University of Montana, Tohono O’odham Community College, University of Phoenix – on-campus)

Social Psychology Courses

• Cross Cultural Psychology (Walden University)
• Psychology of Gender (Walden University)
• Theories of Personality (Walden University)
• Social Psychology and Culture (Grand Canyon University)
• Social Influence on Behavior (Walden University)
• Social Psychology (Arizona Western College, & Helena College University of Montana)
• Cultural Diversity (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Human Personality (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Cultural Diversity and Special Populations (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Fundamentals of Social Psychology (Helena College University of Montana)
• Gender, Race, and Class (Helena College University of Montana)
• Family and Marriage (Tohono O’odham Community College)
• Cultural Psychology (Tohono O’odham Community College)

Research Methods Courses

• Research Methods for Social Sciences (Arizona Western College)
• Research Methods in Criminology (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Graduate Statistics in Psychology (Grand Canyon University)
• Basic Statistics (Tohono O’odham Community College)
• Statistics Literacy in Psychology (Southern New Hampshire University)

Human Development Courses

• Human Sexuality (Southern New Hampshire University)
• Social Development: Child and Adolescent (Southern New Hampshire University)
• Lifespan Development (Southern New Hampshire University, Grand Canyon University)
• Human Growth and Development (Tohono O’odham Community College)
• Child Development (Tohono O’odham Community College)
• Adult and Family Development (University of Phoenix)
• Human Sexuality (Arizona Western College)
• Human Systems and Development (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Aging and Society (Helena College University of Montana)
• Developmental Psychology (Helena College University of Montana)
• Psychology of Aging (Helena College University of Montana)
• Teaching Techniques and Behavior Management (Tohono O’odham Community College)
• Adult Development and Aging (Grand Canyon University)

Other Psychology Courses Taught

• Health Psychology (Grand Canyon University)
• Abnormal Psychology (Tohono O’odham Community College)
• Dependency and Addiction (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Mental Health Crisis Intervention (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Working in Groups (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Fundamentals of Cognition and Learning (Helena College University of Montana)

Professional Services Courses

• Group Techniques (Tohono O’Odham Community College)
• Introduction to Human Services (University of Phoenix)
• Models for Effective Helping (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Introduction to Para-professional Practice (Helena College University of Montana)
• Introduction to Social Work (Helena College University of Montana, Tohono O’odham Community College)
• Group Work (Tohono O’odham Community College)
• Social Service Delivery Systems (Tohono O’odham Community College)
• Foundations of Social Work Practice (Tohono O’odham Community College)
• Undergraduate professional in psychology capstone course (Grand Canyon University)
• Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues in Human Services (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Advocacy and Mediation (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• History of the Development of Social Services (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Case Management (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Building Community Organizations (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Ethics and Values for Human Services Professionals (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Program Design and Proposal Writing (University of Phoenix – on-campus)
• Client Assessment and Planning (University of Phoenix – on-campus)

Publications

Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCocSIGZQuVGJyShYG_Vl7dw

Peterson, C.N. (2018). How social identity influences social and emotional loneliness. Walden University, https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5772/

Peterson, C.N., & Zazueta, G. (2017). Appellate services administration public assistance team: Validation and support staff processes, Version 1.0. Phoenix, AZ: Arizona Office of Inspector General, Research Analysis and Planning.

Munn, N., & Peterson, C. (2015). Evaluation of the peer recovery support coach pilot project. Helena, MT: Department of Human Services. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2264.7763

Peterson, C.N. & Amparo, J. (2013) Free parenting program improves children’s well-being after divorce. YumaSun, 2013-16-07

Peterson, C.N. & Amparo, J. (2013) Benefits of physical activity on your mental well-being. Yuma, AZ: YumaSun 2013-11-06

Peterson, C.N. & Amparo, J. (2013) Parents can reduce the chances of child sexual abuse. Yuma, AZ: YumaSun 2013-30-04

Peterson, C.N. & Amparo, J. (2012) Communication, listening important. Yuma, AZ: YumaSun 2012-08-28

Peterson, C.N. & Amparo, J. (2012) Healthy relationship and effects on children. Yuma, AZ: YumaSun 2012-07-02

Peterson, C.N. (2005) Increasing job satisfaction through increasing organizational commitment: a training model. Walden University: Minneapolis, MN

Peterson, C.N. (2002) Domestic Violence: It is hard to know what to do? Portnuef Valley Parents Magazine, Oct 2002

Peterson, C.N., Croner, J., Enloe, L.J. (2002) Response to hijacking scenario before and after 9/11. Hawaii: Hawaii International Conference on the Social Science Review

Peterson, C.N. (2001) Pregnancy and Domestic Violence. Boise, ID: Idaho State Health Department

Presentations and Workshops

• 2024 Identity, Social Connection, and Mental Health. Northern Arizona University Seven Generations Indigenous Knowledge Center: Northern Arizona University & tribal Colleges and Universities Faculty Exchange Program.
• 2022/2023/2024 The Influence of Loneliness and Identity and mental health and addiction. Tohono O’odham Nation One-Stop program for youth and adults.
• 2020 The Importance of Belonging and Connection During Stress and a Pandemic – La importance de la pertenencia y la conexión durante el estrés y una pandemia (co-presentation) Southern Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, Tucson, AZ.  
• 2019-2020 Identity and Loneliness. Presentation on the importance of identity and influence on physical and psychological well-being to over 500 clinicians, case workers, and educators. South West Keys, Phoenix, AZ
• 2019 The Importance of Developing a Professional Identity – La Importancia de Desarollar Una Identidad Profesional (co-presentation) Southern Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, Tucson, AZ.
• 2018 Infant and Toddler Development. (Keynote) Community or Practice for Early Childhood Education.
• 2017 Socio-emotional development for children ages 0 through 8. Tohono O’odham Community of Practice Early Childhood Education. Sells, AZ
• 2016 Non-cognitive factors and how they influence classroom performance. Helena College Fall 2016 Convocation. Helena, MT
• 2014 Co-present on handling student conduct issues at Arizona Western College Professional Development Day. Yuma, AZ
• 2013 Good V Evil (All day workshop), Yuma AZ
  • Presented on the developmental factors that influence violence rates in a community and protective factors that can be implemented to reduce violence rates.
• 2012 Crisis Intervention Training: Intermediate. (workshop) Yuma, AZ
  • Provide skill development on working with a person in crisis with special attention to victims of violence
• 2011, 2012, 2013 AWC Mentor in Violence Prevention Development Day, Leadership and Advocacy, (workshop) Yuma, AZ
  • The day focuses on leadership and bystander intervention for the prevention and response to violence in college communities from a student perspective
• 2011 Responding to Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Training. Master of Ceremony (Conference), Yuma, AZ
  • Masters of Ceremony for over 120 Police Office Conference
• 2011 Women’s Health Specialist, Employee group development and conflict resolution (workshop) Yuma, AZ
  • Provide a three-session workshop on identifying roles and commitment to an organization and resolving role conflicts.
• 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 Commitment to the organization in the field of Medical Assistance: Idaho State University (workshop) Pocatello, ID
  • Presented research completed as part of Master’s thesis on the importance of commitment in the medical field and role commitment plays in overall work and life satisfaction
• 2009 Implementing Father Parenting Program in your organization: Strengthening Families Training Idaho Children’s Trust Fund (workshop), Boise, ID
  • Implemented an eight-session father parenting program with an emphasis on skill development and role fathers have in their children’s lives
• 2007 Organizational Commitment and Job Satisfaction: National Conference (Workshop), Portland, OR
  • Presentation and skill development of organizational commitment, personal commitment, and job satisfaction
• 2007 Organizational Commitment and Job Satisfaction: National Conference National Children’s Alliance (workshop), Washington DC
  • Presentation and skill development of organizational commitment, personal commitment, and job satisfaction
• 2005 Leadership and Commitment: Pocatello Chamber of Commerce (presentation) Pocatello, ID
  • The presentation was given to community leaders on how to improve leadership role and communication
• 2005 Workplace Communication: American Association of Medical Assistants (Presentation), Twin Falls, ID
  • Presentation on improving workplace communication and boundaries
• 2004 Motivating Employees: American Association of Medical Assistants (Presentation), Ogden, UT

Grants

• 2015 TRIO Grant, Helena College, Provided consultation on cohort first-generation student program design. (grant funded)
• 2014 Department of Justice Violence Against Women’s Special Population Services Grant – written pro-bono for local domestic violence agency ($300,000, funded)
• 2014 Department of Justice Violence Against Women’s Rural Service Grant – written pro-bono for local domestic violence agency ($300,000, not funded)
• 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program Grant (60,000-100,000, funded)
• 2011, 2012, 2013 Department of Justice Violence Against Women Office Campus Violence Prevention Grant (988,000 – funded)
• 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2003 United Way Agency Grant (40,000-65,000 – funded)
• 2010 National Children’s Alliance State Chapter Grant (100,000)
• 2010 National Children’s Alliance Program Expansion Grant (30,000 – funded)
• 2010, 2009 Western Regional Children’s Advocacy Center training and Support Grant (7,500 – funded)
• 2010 Idaho Children’s Trust Fund Regional Child Abuse Prevention Grant (40,000 – funded)
• 2009, 2008, 2007 National Children’s Alliance State Program Support Grant (10,000 – funded)
• 2009, 2008 National Children’s Alliance State Chapter Support grant (15,000 – funded)
• 2004, 2003, 2002 STOP Violence grant Idaho State Police (30,000 – funded
• 2003 Department of Justice, Violence against women and children rural grant (420,000)
• 2003 Target Stores Community Giving Program. (1,200)

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