Dr. Cain’s research interests focus on exploring phenotypic heterogeneity in Axis I and Axis II disorders and how heterogeneity influences diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical outcome. Specifically, she has investigated the need to expand the assessment of pathological narcissism to include narcissistic grandiosity as well as narcissistic vulnerability and has used the interpersonal circumplex to examine the impact of interpersonal styles and problems on the presentation, course, and outcome of specific Axis I disorders. Dr. Cain is interested in developing and testing interventions to more effectively assess and treat patients who have similar Axis I pathology but differing interpersonal styles. Finally, Dr. Cain has been involved in research investigating deficits in effortful control, affect regulation, and social cognition in both college-age and personality disordered populations.
