Alberta SJ van der Watt

I am an interdisciplinary researcher. While my main area of interest is posttraumatic stress symptoms and interpersonal relationships, I have also conducted research on mood and anxiety disorders (longitudinal data), traditional and faith healers, adolescents’ experiences of a posttraumatic stress disorder intervention, and HIV and neurocognition (longitudinal data). I have conducted research using both quantitative and qualitative methods, including functional magnetic resonance imaging. I am currently working on research projects focusing on continuous traumatic stress among adolescent-parent dyads; neurocognition trajectories in women with compared to women without HIV and the role trauma plays in this trajectory; and the moderating role of attachment in breakup distress among emerging adults following a romantic relationship dissolution.
I recently obtained my PhD in psychiatry from Stellenbosch University. However, my background is in psychology, where I obtained a master's in psychology by thesis (focusing on women's experience of being single). My undergraduate degree was BComm Psychology (also from Stellenbosch University). I also have a 3-year diploma in fashion design.