Research Interests
developmental psychopathology; depression; stress and emotion; adolescent development; family and peer relationships
Research Description
The overall goal of Dr. Rudolph’s research is to identify risk and protective processes that amplify or attenuate vulnerability to psychopathology across development, with a focus on adolescence as a stage of particular sensitivity. Her research uses a multi-level, multi-method approach that considers how personal attributes of youth (e.g., gender, temperament, emotion regulation, social motivation, coping, neuroendocrine profiles, neural processing), development (e.g., pubertal timing, social transitions), and contexts (e.g., early adversity, stressors, family and peer relationships) intersect to contribute to the development of psychopathology, particularly depression and suicide. This research aims to understand both the origins and consequences of individual differences in risk. A variety of methodological approaches are used, including longitudinal survey-based research, interviews, behavior observations, experimental tasks, hormone assessments, and fMRI. Recent work also involves the development of a prevention program for adolescent depression.
Education
Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles
Additional Campus Affiliations
Professor, Psychology
Professor, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
Affiliate, Social & Behavioral Sciences Institute
External Links
Creative/Performing Interests
developmental psychopathology; depression; stress and emotion; adolescent development; family and peer relationships
Recent Publications
Llewellyn, N., Wood, E. E., Berry, D. J., & Rudolph, K. D. (2026). Peer victimization across the school years: Consequences for social goals in early adolescence. Developmental psychology, 62(2), 321-329. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0002104
Rudolph, K. D., Skymba, H. V., Clapham, R. B., Dodson, J., Finnegan, M., Troop-Gordon, W., & Heller, W. (2026). Improving Mental Health in Adolescent Girls via a Randomized Trial of an Emotion Mindset Intervention. Journal of Adolescent Health, 78(3), 402-409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2025.10.023
Wood, E. E., & Rudolph, K. D. (2026). Emotional clarity and responses to peer victimization as predictors of youth aggression. Emotion, 26(1), 166-177. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0001564
Clapham, R. B., Kim, Y., Davis, M. M., Modi, H. H., Skymba, H. V., & Rudolph, K. D. (2025). Differential Susceptibility to Friendship Quality: The Role of Need for Approval. Social Development, 34(3), Article e12807. https://doi.org/10.1111/sode.12807
Clayton, M. G., Cole, S. W., Giletta, M., Hastings, P. D., Nock, M. K., Rudolph, K. D., Slavich, G. M., & Prinstein, M. J. (2025). Proinflammatory gene expression is associated with prospective risk for adolescent suicidal thoughts and behaviors over twelve months. Development and psychopathology, 37(3), 1676-1684. https://doi.org/10.1017/S095457942400186X