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
Clapham, R. B., Wood, E. E., Troop-Gordon, W., Heller, W., & Rudolph, K. D. (2026). Reciprocal pathways between emotion regulation self-efficacy and depression among adolescents: The mediating role of emotion (dys)regulation. Child development, 97(3), 827-840. https://doi.org/10.1093/chidev/aacag014
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
Pollak, O. H., Rudolph, K. D., Hastings, P. D., Nock, M. K., Prinstein, M. J., & Calhoun, C. D. (2026). Hopelessness Appraisals of Stressors and Suicidal Ideation: The Moderating Role of Girls’ Expressed Vulnerability to a Close Friend Following Stressor Exposure. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, 54(2), Article 58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-026-01455-w
Rudolph, K. D., Kim, S. G., Clapham, R. B., Wood, E. E., Tu, K. M., & Heller, W. (2026). Co-Regulation Within Adolescent Friendships. Social Development, 35(3), Article e70067. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/sode.70067
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