Elizabeth Fauth, Ph.D.

Field: Human Development, Psychology
Areas of Focus: Aging, Dementia, Family Caregiving, Stress Management

Expertise

• Aging
• Dementia
• Alzheimer's disease
• Family caregiving
• Stress and well-being
• Prevention and intervention
• Functional ability
• Disablement and disability

Bio

Beth (Elizabeth) Fauth received her B.S. degree in ssychology at Syracuse University and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Human Development at Penn State University. She is currently a professor in the Human Development and Family Studies at Utah State University. Beth teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in gerontology, research methods, and is the coordinator of the graduate program in HDFS. She conducts research on the integration between well-being and social support and the transition into needing assistance in late life. She also conducts research on stress and well-being in family caregivers of persons with dementia, evaluates psychoeducational interventions for dementia caregivers, and the impact of staff interactions on emotion and engagement in dementia care settings. She also works on mental health prevention in other at-risk adult populations. Beth has received awards for excellence in teaching, research, and service, and is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America.

Her research focuses on human development and family studies in adulthood and late life, with emphases in biopsychosocial approaches to health and well-being across the lifespan, including studies of stress, depressive symptoms, social support. These interests manifest themselves in four main research areas:

1. Caregiving for persons with Alzheimer’s and other dementias (both basic research and program evaluation),
2. Quality of life and progression of dementia (basic research),
3. Functional ability and the transition into disability in late life (basic research), and
4. Stress, mood, and well-being across the lifespan, particularly for vulnerable adults (both basic research and program evaluation).

Dr. Fauth integrates human connection not only in work but also in her hobbies: socializing, cooking, dinner parties, book clubs, and a love for human interest stories are just a few of her favorite pursuits. In her spare time she enjoys camping, hiking, and experiencing the outdoors with her family.