Earlham College | A national liberal arts college in the Midwest
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Beth Mechlin
Associate Professor of Psychology

Stressed? Beth Mechlin might have something to say about that.  Her research explores stress, pain and the relationship between the two.

Because of Earlham’s size, Mechlin feels enabled to work closely with students and get to know them. She teaches such courses as Health Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Research in Stress and Health, and Psychoactive Drugs and Behavior.

Contact Info

Campus Mail
Drawer 28

Phone
765-983-1785

E-mail

Office
304 Landrum Bolling Center

Programs/Departments

  • Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Contemplative Studies Integrated Pathway

Degrees

  • Ph.D., University of North Carolina
  • M.A., University of North Carolina
  • B.S., The Ohio State University

Selected Courses:

  • Health Psychology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience
  • Research in Stress and Health
  • Psychoactive Drugs and Behavior

My research generally explores stress, pain, and the relationship between the two. The majority of my research has focused on the influence race and socioeconomic status have on stress and pain.

Rowell LN, Mechlin B, Ji E, Addamo M, Girdler S. (2011). Asians differ from non-Hispanic Whites in experimental pain sensitivity. European Journal of Pain, 5(7), 764 – 771.

Mechlin B, Heymen S, Edwards CL, Girdler SS. (2011). Ethnic differences in cardiovascular-somatosensory interactions and in the central processing of noxious stimuli. Psychophysiology, 48(6), 762 – 773.

Klatzkin RR, Mechlin B, Girdler SS. (2010). Menstrual cycle phase does not influence gender differences in experimental pain sensitivity. European Journal of Pain, 14(1), 77 – 82.

Heymen S, Maixner W, Whitehead WE, Klatzkin R, Mechlin B, Light K. (2010). Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Controls (DNIC) are compromised in patients with irritable bowel syndrome compared to healthy controls. Clinical Journal of Pain, 26(2), 104 – 109.

Grewen KM, Light KC, Mechlin MB, Girdler SS. (2008). Ethnicity is associated with alterations in oxytocin relationships to pain sensitivity in women. Ethnicity & Health, 13(3), 219 – 241.

Klatzkin RR, Mechlin B, Bunevicius R, Girdler SS. (2007). Race and histories of mood disorders modulate experimental pain tolerance in women. The Journal of Pain, 8(11), 861 – 868.

Mechlin B, Morrow AL, Maixner W, Girdler SS. (2007). The Relationship of Allopregnanolone Immunoreactivity and HPA-Axis Measures to Experimental Pain Sensitivity: Evidence for Ethnic Differences. Pain, 131(1-2), 142 - 152.

Girdler SS, Mechlin MB, Light KC, Morrow AL. (2006). Ethnic differences in allopregnanolone concentrations in women during rest and following mental stress. Psychophysiology, 43(4), 331 – 336.

Mechlin MB, Maixner W, Light KC, Fisher JM, Girdler SS. (2005). African Americans show alterations in endogenous pain regulatory mechanisms and reduced pain tolerance to experimental pain procedures. Psychosomatic Medicine, 67(6), 948-956.

Although I was educated at large universities, I have found teaching at liberal arts schools to be much more rewarding. I chose to teach at Earlham because the small class sizes allow me to get to know my students. I was also drawn to the diverse student body.

Prior to coming to Earlham I taught a Cross-Cultural Psychology course that included a 5 day trip to New York City to visit various cultural museums and neighborhoods.

I love to travel all over the world and learn about different cultures. While I have enjoyed everywhere that I have been, my favorite regions so far have been the Mediterranean (Spain, Italy, and Greece) and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia).

Earlham College, an independent, residential college, aspires to provide the highest-quality undergraduate education in the liberal arts and sciences, shaped by the distinctive perspectives of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

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Earlham College
801 National Road West
Richmond, Indiana
47374-4095
1-765-983-1200 — Main Switchboard
1-800-EARLHAM (327-5426) — Admission


NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS

Earlham admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, age, gender and sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, age, gender and sexual orientation in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.