Beth Mechlin

Beth Mechlin, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Earlham College. Her research focuses on the intersection of stress, pain, race, and socioeconomic factors, particularly exploring how these variables influence health outcomes. She teaches courses such as Health Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, and cross-cultural psychology, emphasizing diverse perspectives in her classroom. Her work often examines ethnic disparities in stress reactivity and pain sensitivity, with a recent focus on social support mechanisms and cultural influences on health. Dr. Mechlin holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of North Carolina and a B.S. from The Ohio State University.

Dr. Mechlin’s scholarly contributions include studies on racial differences in pain perception, the role of social support in mitigating stress, and the physiological effects of environmental factors like light exposure. She has led student research expeditions, such as a 2019 trip to Sweden investigating health-related cultural factors. Her academic home at Earlham College aligns with her commitment to collaborative, student-centered education in a liberal arts environment.

Her research spans topics like oxytocin’s role in pain modulation, menstrual cycle effects on pain tolerance, and the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying stress responses. While no awards are listed here, her extensive publication record reflects a dedicated focus on advancing understanding of health disparities through interdisciplinary approaches. She actively participates in Earlham’s Contemplative Studies and Medical Humanities programs, integrating these perspectives into her teaching and research.