Ep. 45: Everyone Can Find Their Life's Purpose with Patrick Hill, Washington University

Doing Translational Research

This is the debut episode of the new BCTR director Tony Burrow! Tony welcomes Patrick Hill, who studies how individuals consider and ultimately commit to a purpose for life. Hill notes that we all face difficult times where we have to decide who we are and where we want to go. He's interested in helping people find direction at times of uncertainty by determining what the best choices are for them by identifying their own direction in life. He and Tony also discuss the lifespan perspective of his work and his current research in retirement communities. Patrick Hill is an associate professor of psychological and brain sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. His research focuses on understanding how dispositional traits predict and shape trajectories of healthy aging. Hill's current research is interested in how individuals explore options for and ultimately commit to a purpose for life, and how having a sense of purpose predicts important life outcomes. In addition, he examines the lifespan development of pro-social personality characteristics, such as dispositional gratitude and forgiveness, as well as how these traits influence relationship outcomes. His research program considers these questions with the intent of promoting healthy development from adolescence into older adulthood. Doing Translational Research is produced by Carrie Chalmers.