Dr. Cunningham is a UC Foundation Assistant Professor and graduate faculty member in the Department of Psychology at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He teaches organizational and occupational health psychology, organizational development and change, and quantitative/qualitative research methods to graduate students in the university’s industrial-organizational psychology master’s program. He also teaches core courses in research methods, test/assessment development, statistics, and professional ethics and career planning to undergraduate psychology majors. His current research addresses multiple occupational health psychology topics, including need for resource recovery, decision making regarding recovery from stressful work, the influence of individual differences in personality and fitness on the stress process, and issues regarding work-nonwork role integrations.

Ph.D. » Bowling Green State University, 2007, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, specialization in Occupational Health Psychology

Dissertation: Need for recovery and ineffective self-management

 

M.A. » Bowling Green State University, 2005, Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Thesis: New applicant decision making: understanding the influence of salary, family-friendly/life-friendly policies, and culture as influential organizational attributes

 

B.A. » Lehigh University, 2003, Psychology

Thesis: Toward a better understanding of collective efficacy and its relationship with team functioning and performance.

• PSY 506 Organizational Psychology
• PSY 521 Occupational Health and Well-being
• PSY 526 Organizational Development and Change
• PSY 202 Research Methods
• PSY 201 Introduction to Statistics
• PSY 345 Test and Measurement Design
• PSY 407 Professional Psychology
• Thesis supervision
  

• Occupational stress, recovery, and health
• Work-nonwork interface issues
• Judgment and decision making
• Applicant attraction
  

Ghorbani, N., Cunningham, C. J. L., & Watson, P. J. (in press). Comparative analysis of integrative self-knowledge, mindfulness, and private self-consciousness in predicting responses to stress in Iran. International Journal of Psychology.

Ghorbani, N., Watson, P. J., Shamohammadi, K., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2009). Post-critical beliefs in Iran: Predicting religious and psychological functioning. Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, 20, 151-194.

Cunningham, C. J. L. (2009). Keeping work in perspective: Work-nonwork considerations and applicant decision making. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 21, 89-113.

O'Leary, B. J., Durham, C. R., Weathington, B. L., Cothran, D. L., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2009). Racial identity as a moderator of the relationship between perceived applicant similarity and hiring decisions. The Journal of Black Psychology, 35(1), 63-77.

Cunningham, C. J. L., & De La Rosa, G. (2008). Proactive personality as a complex moderator in the stress process. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 13(3), 271-282.

Cunningham, C. J. L., De La Rosa, G., & Jex, S. M. (2008). The dynamic influence of individual characteristics on employee well-being: A review of the theory, research, and future directions. In K. Näswell, J. Hellgren, & M. Sverke (Eds.), The individual in the changing working life (pp. 258-283). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Cunningham, C. J. L., Weathington, B. L., Burke, L. A. (2008). Riding the wellness wave: Implications for organizations. Employee Benefit Plan Review, 63(5), 7-9.

Schwetschenau, H., O’Brien, W., Cunningham, C. J. L., & Jex, S. M., (2008). Barriers to physical activity in an on-site corporate fitness center. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 13(4), 371-380.

Whinghter, L. J., Cunningham, C. J. L., Wang, M., & Burnfield, J. (2008). Goal orientation as a factor in who thrives and who simply survives in graduate school. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 13(3), 283-291.

Bowles, S., Cunningham, C. J. L., De La Rosa, G., Picano, J, & Meekins, R. (2007). Coaching leaders in middle and executive management: Goals, performance, buy-in. Leadership & Organization Development, 28(5), 388-408. [selected for an Emerald Publications’ best-practice review]

Adams, G. A., Jex, S. M., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2006) Work-family conflict among military personnel. In Castro, C. A., Adler, A. B., & Britt, T. W. (Eds.), Military Life:  The Psychology of Serving in Peace and Combat, Vol. 3: The Military Family. Westport: Praeger Security International.

Cunningham, C. J. L. (2006). Introducing Occupational Health Psychology: A student’s perspective. Observer, 19(11), 39-40.

Jex, S. M., Cunningham, C. J. L., De La Rosa, G., & Broadfoot, A. (2006). Stress and employee effectiveness. In A. M. Rossi, P. L. Perrewé, and S. L. Sauter (Eds.). Stress and Quality of Working Life: Current Perspectives in Occupational Health. Greenwich: Information Age Publishing Inc.

Cunningham, Christopher J. L. (2003). Family matters: Challenges facing Italy’s SMEs and industrial districts. Perspectives on Business and Economics, 21, 29-38.

Trevor, T., O’Leary, B. J., Cunningham, C. J. L., & Weathington, B. (2009, November). Organizational justice, equity sensitivity, and workplace attitudes. Paper accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the Southern Management Association, Asheville, NC.

Cheng, J.-M., Cunningham, C. J. L., Wang, M., & Shi, J. (2009, November). The relationship between personality, stressors, and strains among Chinese workers. Poster presented at Work, Stress, and Health 2009: Global Concerns and Approaches, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Cunningham, C. J. L. (2009, November). Understanding and using multiple mediation models in occupational health: An introduction and guide to application. In V. Magley (chair), Methodology in occupational health research, Part 2: Stepping forward into new methods. Symposium presented at Work, Stress, and Health 2009: Global Concerns and Approaches, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Patel, S. P., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2009, November). A resource-based perspective on work-family balance and religion among a sample of Hindus. Poster presented at Work, Stress, and Health 2009: Global Concerns and Approaches, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Chijioke, C., Scherer, K., Cunningham, C. J. L., & Panda, M. (2009, October). Addressing and preventing stress, fatigue and burnout in health care providers: Relaxing, rejuvenating and rejoicing in residency. Poster presented at the International Conference for Communication in Health Care 2009, Miami, FL.

Cunningham, C. J. L. (2009, June). A work, family, and faith perspective on stress and recovery management. Special presentation delivered to adult enrichment program attendees at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Soddy-Daisy, TN.

Biderman, M. D., & Nguyen, N. T., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2009, April). Common method variance in NEO-FFI and IPIP personality measurement. Poster presented at the 24th annual conference of The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, New Orleans, LA.

Dorio, J. (co-chair), Cunningham, C. J. L. (co-chair), Bandelli, A., Greene-Shortridge, T., Kessler, S., & Schmidt, G. (2009, April). Beginning the Journey: Peer mentoring for individuals starting their careers. Panel discussion presented at the 24th annual conference of The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, New Orleans, LA.

Owens, J., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2009, April). Examining the relationship between proactive personality and career success. Poster presented at the 24th annual conference of The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, New Orleans, LA.

Ghorbani, N., Watson, P. J., Rezazadeh, Z., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2009, February). Self-Control and Integrative Self-Knowledge: Relationships with Muslim Religious Commitment and Experience in Iran. Paper presented at the Second Conference of the International Association of Muslin Psychologists, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Cunningham, C. J. L. (2008, December). Occupational health and wellness as an HR issue. Special presentation delivered to the Chattanooga area HR Council, Chattanooga, TN

Cunningham, C. J. L. (2008, November). Overview of Occupational Health Psychology. Special presentation delivered to attendees of the 4th annual River Cities I-O Psychology Conference, Chattanooga, TN.

Hegwood, E. C., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2008, November). Personality variables, self-efficacy, and barriers to participation in a health promotion program. Poster presented at the 4th annual River Cities I-O Psychology Conference, Chattanooga, TN.

Hopkins, J., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2008, November). Adventure training, self-efficacy, and proactive work behaviors. Poster presented at the 4th annual River Cities I-O Psychology Conference, Chattanooga, TN.

Owens, J. J., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2008, November). Examining the relationship between proactive personality and career success. Poster presented at the 4th annual River Cities I-O Psychology Conference, Chattanooga, TN.

Patel, S., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2008, November). Work-family balance and religion: A resource based perspective. Poster presented at the 4th annual River Cities I-O Psychology Conference, Chattanooga, TN.

Pegues, D. A., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2008, November). Impact of recruitment messages on minority applicant self-efficacy and organizational attraction. Poster presented at the 4th annual River Cities I-O Psychology Conference, Chattanooga, TN.

Rodebaugh, L., Weathington, B. L., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2008, November). Employee job preferences and perceptions of recruiting and selection efforts. Poster presented at the 4th annual River Cities I-O Psychology Conference, Chattanooga, TN.

Cunningham, C. J. L. (2008, September). Need for recovery from work: A new direction in occupational stress research & intervention. Special presentation delivered to attendees of the 20th annual OccMed Update conference, Sandestin, FL.

Nguyen, N. T., Biderman, M., Cunningham, C. J. L., & Ghorbani, N. (2008, August). A multi-sample re-examination of Goldberg’s 50-item Big Five Questionnaire’s factor structure. In L. R. Ford (chair), New perspectives on reliability and validity. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the Academy of Management, Anaheim, CA.

Cunningham, C. J. L. (2008, April). Stress, need for recovery, and ineffective self-management. Poster presented at the 23rd annual meeting of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, San Francisco, CA.

Bowles, S., Cunningham, C. J. L., & Jex, S. M. (2008, March). Development of a Work-Life Well-Being Instrument (WLWBI) for military recruiters. Poster presented at the APA-NIOSH-SOHP Work, Stress, and Health: Healthy and Safe Work through Research, Practice, and Partnerships conference, Washington, DC.

Cunningham, C. J. L. (chair + discussant) (2008, March). Starting a career in Occupational Health Psychology. Roundtable discussion presented at the APA-NIOSH-SOHP Work, Stress, and Health: Healthy and Safe Work through Research, Practice, and Partnerships, Washington, DC.

Cunningham, C. J. L. (2008, March). Need for resource recovery: revision to traditional occupational stress process. Poster presented at the APA-NIOSH-SOHP Work, Stress, and Health: Healthy and Safe Work through Research, Practice, and Partnerships conference, Washington, DC.

Cunningham, C. J. L. (2008, March). Development and refinement of a need for resource recovery scale. Poster presented at the APA-NIOSH-SOHP Work, Stress, and Health: Healthy and Safe Work through Research, Practice, and Partnerships conference, Washington, DC.

Jex, S.M., & Cunningham, C.J.L. (2007, August). Situational constraints and interpersonal conflict. In C. Fritz (chair), Organizational constraints at work: New findings regarding well-being and performance. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the Academy of Management, Philadelphia, PA.

Cunningham, C. J. L., & Jex, S. M. (2007, April). Understanding dirty jobs: I-O and OHP research at work. Symposium conducted at the 22nd annual meeting of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, New York, NY.

Cunningham, C. J. L., & Whinghter, L. J. (2007, April). Work-family issues among petroleum refinery shiftworkers. In C. J. L. Cunningham & S. M. Jex (co-chairs), Understanding dirty jobs: I-O and OHP research at work. Symposium conducted at the 22nd annual meeting of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, New York, NY.
 
Cunningham, C. J. L. (2006, May). A multi-stage, multi-attribute study of new applicant decision making. Poster presented at the 21st annual meeting of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Dallas, TX.
 
Bowles, S., Cunningham, C. J. L., De La Rosa, G., & Picano, J. (2006, May). Coaching Managers and Junior Executives: Goals, Performance, and Adherence. Poster presented at the 21st annual meeting of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Dallas, TX.
 
Whinghter, L. J., Cunningham, C. J. L., Wang, M., & Burnfield, J. (2006, May). Frustration in Graduate School: The Role of Goal Orientation. Poster presented at the 21st annual meeting of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Dallas, TX.
 
Jex, S. M., & Cunningham, C. J. L. (2006, March). Use of multi-level analysis in occupational health psychology: Prospects and cautions. In V. J. Magley (Chair), Methodological and conceptual challenges in occupational health research. Symposium conducted at the Work, Stress, and Health 2006: Making a Difference in the Workplace Conference, Miami, FL.
 
Cunningham, C. J. L., & Matthews, R. (2006, March). Results from the 2005 Annual Survey of Graduate Students in Occupational Health Psychology. In K. Charles (Chair), Occupational health psychology 101: a graduate student perspective for non-OHPers. Symposium conducted at the Work, Stress, and Health 2006: Making a Difference in the Workplace Conference, Miami, FL.
 
Wang, M., Burnfield, J., Cunningham, C. J. L., & Whinghter, J. (2006, March). Linking achievement goals to health outcomes: examining mediating psychological variables. Poster presented at the Work, Stress, and Health 2006: Making a Difference in the Workplace Conference, Miami, FL.
 
Cunningham, C. J. L., & De La Rosa, G. (2006, March). Testing academic psychologists' proactive personality as a stress-strain moderator. Poster presented at the Work, Stress, and Health 2006: Making a Difference in the Workplace Conference, Miami, FL.