Identity, Social Connection, and Loneliness

Welcome to our platform, where we delve into the profound effects of social connection and loneliness on our overall well-being, both physically and psychologically. In an era marked by technological advancement, evidence mounts suggesting a troubling trend: loneliness is escalating. Over the past two decades, research has unveiled the alarming truth that prolonged loneliness poses a health risk comparable, if not surpassing, smoking, dietary patterns, and physical activity levels. The imperative to address this pressing human dilemma has never been more urgent. Here, we not only explore solutions to combat loneliness but also offer insights into various aspects of psychology. Spearheading this endeavor is Dr. Curtis Peterson, our esteemed primary author. Join us on this journey towards understanding and healing.

Curtis Peterson, Ph.D.

Email: curtis.peterson@self-and-identity.com

Welcome to my site, where I aim to equip you with valuable insights to enhance your understanding and pursuit of knowledge. I’m Curtis Peterson, a Social Psychologist dedicated to unraveling the intricate dynamics of social connection, loneliness, and identity, essential aspects of our human experience. My mission extends beyond mere academic inquiry; I strive to uncover how these elements profoundly shape our well-being and health, empowering us to lead more fulfilling lives.

In my endeavors, I also champion advancements in psychological research design and methodologies. Through my involvement in national associations and teaching engagements, I foster discussions on statistical rigor and effective research practices.

Recently, I undertook significant projects aimed at addressing pressing societal issues. One such initiative involved training over 500 providers and educators who work with unaccompanied children crossing the U.S. borders. These vulnerable children often grapple with profound psychological challenges, including suicidal ideation and depression, stemming from a loss of identity and social connection. By imparting insights on loneliness and identity, I aimed to catalyze a paradigm shift in how these behaviors are understood and addressed.

Additionally, I had the privilege of co-presenting a bilingual training session titled “The Importance of Belonging and Connection During Stress and a Pandemic” at the Southern Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children annual conference alongside my remarkable wife, Elsa. This presentation delved into the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on loneliness and social connection, offering a fresh perspective on navigating these turbulent times.

The culmination of these experiences has led to the development of a groundbreaking model elucidating the profound impact of social connection on various life outcomes. I invite you to explore this model further and join me in the journey toward fostering deeper connections and improving our collective well-being.

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Currently, I am an educator at Tohono O’odham Community College, serving the Tohono O’odham Nation. This role has profoundly enriched my comprehension of identity, culture, and the broader human experience, transcending the realm of psychology. Additionally, I hold affiliations with Walden University, Grand Canyon University, and Southern New Hampshire University.

In my personal life, I am blessed with a devoted wife, Elsa, who is immersed in Early Childhood Education, serving as the education specialist at the Tucson Children’s Museum. Together, we embrace a blended family dynamic, with three children from her previous marriage and two from mine. Our journey also extends to the joys of grandparenthood, with four beautiful grandchildren enriching our lives.

My academic journey began with a Bachelor’s of Science in Experimental Psychology, followed by a Master’s of Science in Psychology, and culminating in a Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Social Psychology. My passion for psychology ignited during my undergraduate years, sparked by an introductory course that captivated my curiosity. Despite briefly venturing into an industrial arts program, my heart remained steadfast in psychology, leading me down a path I’ve never once regretted.

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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

• 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

• 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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