Rebecca Cox studies the role of sleep and circadian rhythm disruption in the etiology and treatment of anxiety-related disorders.
Rebecca is interested in understanding the downstream consequences of sleep and circadian rhythm disruption for physiological, cognitive, and affective function and how these consequences contribute to the development of anxiety-related disorders. Her work also examines how sleep and circadian medicine (e.g., light therapy, cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia) can be leveraged in novel treatment approaches for anxiety-related disorders. Her research uses a multimethod approach, including salivary melatonin assays, actigraphy, ecological momentary assessment, sleep diaries, and self-report measures. Her work largely focuses on young adults, but she is also interested in periods across the lifespan characterized by sleep and circadian rhythm disruption (e.g., the perinatal period). The overarching goal of her research is to identify novel modifiable behavioral targets to improve treatment outcomes for anxiety-related disorders.
Selected publications:
- Cox, R.C., Ritchie, H.K., Knauer, O.A., Guerin, M.K., Stothard, E.R., & Wright, K.P. (2024). Chronotype and affective response to sleep restriction followed by sleep deprivation. Journal of Biological Rhythms, 39, 35-48.
- Cox, R.C. & Olatunji, B.O. (2022). Delayed circadian rhythms and insomnia symptoms in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 318, 94-102.
- Cox, R.C., Garcia, A.N., Jessup, S.C., Woronko, S.E., Rast, C., & Olatunji, B.O. (2023). Subjective sleep disturbances in sexual assault survivors: Associations with trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity. Behavior Therapy, 54, 863-875.
- Cox, R.C. & Olatunji, B.O. (2020). Sleep in the anxiety-related disorders: A meta-analysis of subjective and objective research. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 51, 101282.
- Cox, R.C., Upender, R.P., & Olatunji, B.O. (2020). Linking inhibition and anxiety symptoms following sleep restriction: The moderating role of prior sleep efficiency.Behaviour Research and Therapy, 127, 103575.
- Cox, R.C., Sterba, S.K., Cole, D.A., Upender, R.P. & Olatunji, B.O. (2018). Time of day effects on the relationship between daily sleep and anxiety: An ecological momentary assessment approach. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 111, 44-51.
- Cox, R.C. & Olatunji, B.O. (2016). Sleep disturbance and obsessive-compulsive symptoms: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 75, 41-45.