Jocelyn Shealy McGee, PhD, MSG

Education

PhD, Clinical Psychology (Neuropsychology Track), Fuller Theological Seminary
MA, Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary
MSG, Baylor University
BA in Psychology, Baylor University

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Gerontology Research, Aging Treatment Studies Program
Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA

Clinical Neuropsychology
Baylor College of Medicine/University of Houston (APPCN Accredited), Houston, TX

Internship

Clinical Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology & Geropsychology)
VA Palo Alto Health Care System (APA Accredited), Palo Alto, CA

Professional Credentials

Licensed Psychologist
National Certification as a Health Service Provider in Psychology
Fellow, Gerontological Society of America

Research Interests

• Aging, Dementia & Family Caregiving 
• Resilience & Chronic Illness 
• Contemplative Science 
• Cultural & Community Contexts 

Selected Publications

Meraz, R., Elkins, G., McGee, J.S., & Moore, B. (2026). Posttraumatic growth theory as a framework for heart failure self-care intervention design. Frontiers in Psychology, 17. 1699377. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1699377 

Morton, M. D., & McGee, J. S. (2026). The connection between adult spirituality and childhood maltreatment: limitations of attachment theory. Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 45(3), 375-380. https://doi.org/10.1080/15426432.2025.2572641 

Saint Louis, B., McGee, J. S., & Extanus, B. (2026). Integral mission in action: A case study of a faith-based, NGO-led solid waste management program in Haiti. In S.C. Bratton, Boddie, and Ozdemir (Eds.), Handbook on Religion and the Environment (pp. 286-304). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035321872.00034 

McGee, J. S., Myers, D. R., Tucker, S., Meraz, R., Davie, M., Zhao, H. C. (2025). “The people you are caring for are worth it and you are worth it”: Themes of hope in family caregivers of persons with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 68(8), 1101-1134.https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2025.2494817. 

Meraz, R., Osteen, K., McGee, J. S., Noblitt, P., & Viejo, H. (2025). Understanding diuretic non-adherence among patients with heart failure: A mixed-methods study. Chronic Illness, 21(3), 436-454. https://doi.org/10.1177/17423953251338585 

McGee, J. S., Davie, M., Meraz, R., Ambrose, M., & Boddie, S. C. (2025). "I can see the good, even when things around are rough”: Gratitude among family caregivers of people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 35(5), 882-897. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2024.2355119

Meraz, R., Osteen, K., McGee, J. S., Noblitt, P., & Viejo, H. (2024). Influence of neighborhood disadvantage and individual sociodemographic conditions on heart failure self-care. Special Issue: Social Determinants of Cardiovascular Health. The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 40(3), 250-257. https://doi.org/10.1097/JCN.0000000000001131 

McGee, J. S., Polson, E. C., Myers, D. R., McClellan, A. M., Ke, W., Zhao, H. C., & Meraz, R. (2024). Gratitude predicts meaning in life in family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s. Geriatrics, 9(3), 72. https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics9030072

Polson, E. C., Myers, D. R., McClellan, A. M., Zhao, H. C., Meraz, R., & McGee, J. S. (2024). Perceived benefit or burden?  How positive and negative spiritual/religious coping impacts family caregivers of people with dementia. Journal of Religion, Spirituality, & Aging, 36(3), 235-257. https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2024.2336499

McGee, J. S., Polson, E. C., Myers, D. R., McClellan, A. M., Meraz, R., Ke, W., & Zhao, H. C. (2024). Hope mediates stress to reduce burden in family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease. Geriatrics, 9(2), 38. https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics9020038

McGee, J. S., McElroy, M., Meraz, R. L., & Myers, D. R. (2023). A qualitative analysis of virtues and strengths in persons living with early stage dementia informed by the values in action framework. Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 22(1), 46-67. https://doi.org/10.1177/14713012221131857 

McGee, J. S., Katzenmeyer, C., Boddie, S. C., Meraz, R. L., & Wood, S. P. (2023). A sense of connectedness, transcendent experiences, and insights for compassionate action emerge through collective labyrinth walking with a shared intention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 14.1232784. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1232784

Meraz, R. L., Caldwell, E. P., & McGee, J. (2023). The relationships among health literacy, patient activation, and self-care behaviors in adults with heart failure: A cross-sectional study. Sage Open, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231163779

Meraz, R. L., McGee, J. S., Ke, W., & Osteen, K. (2023). Resilience mediates the effects of self-care activation and hope on medication adherence in heart failure patients. Research In Nursing & Health, 46(3), 323-335. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.22312

Meraz, R. L., McGee, J. S., Caldwell, E. P., Ke, W., & Osteen, K. (2023). The impact of resilience, health literacy, and social support on medication adherence and self-care among adults with heart failure. The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 38(5), 415-424. https://doi.org/10.1097/JCN.0000000000000948  

Jean-Charles, W., McGee, J. S., Jean-Baptiste, M. J., Joseph, V. I., & Rouzier, D. G. (2022).Development of the first telepsychology initiative in Haiti in response to COVID-19. TheJournal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, 17(2), 110-122. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-07-2021-0079 

Meraz, R., Osteen, K., McGee, J. S., Noblitt, P., & Viejo, H. (2022). Applying stress and coping theory to understand diuretic adherence experiences in persons with heart failure. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 45(1), 67–77. https://doi.org/10.1177/01939459221106122 

McGee, J. S., Davie, M., Meraz, R., Myers, D., & Boddie, S. C. (2022). Does the tough stuff make us stronger? Spiritual coping in family caregivers of persons with early-stage dementia, Religions, 13(8), 756. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13080756

McGee, J. S., Davie, M., Meraz, R., Myers, D., & McElroy, M. (2022). Does God work in all things for the good of those who love Him? Family caregivers of persons with early-stage dementia share their spiritual struggles, Religions, 13(7), 645.https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13070645 

McGee, J. S., Myers, D. R., Meraz, R., & Davie, M. (2021). Caring for a family member with Early stage Alzheimer’s disease: Caregiver perceptions, connections, and relational dynamics with the sacred. Journal of Religion, Spirituality, & Aging, 34(3), 196-207. https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2021.1934771

McGee, J. S., Meraz, R., Myers, D. R. & Davie, M. (2020). Telehealth services for persons with chronic lower respiratory disease and their informal caregivers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Practice Innovations, 5(2), 165-177.  https://doi.org/10.1037/pri0000122 

McGee, J. S., Myers, D. R., & Groce, H. (2019). Community services, progression rate, and nursing home placement in persons with Alzheimer’s disease, American Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, 7(1), 12-18. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpn.20190701.13 

Meraz, R. L., Osteen, K., & McGee, J. S. (2019). Applying multiple methods of systematic evaluation in narrative analysis for greater validity and deeper meaning. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 18. 1609406919892472. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406919892472

McGee, J. S., Zhao, H. C., Myers, D. R. & Eaton, H. S. (2018). Spiritual diversity and living with early-stage dementia: Cultural aspects of dementia. Clinical Gerontologist, 41(3), 261-267. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2017.1393478

McGee, J. S., Zhao, H. C, Myers, D. R., & Kim, S. (2017). Positive psychological assessment and early-stage dementia. Clinical Gerontologist, (40)4. 307-319. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2017.1305032

Karlin, B. E., Teri, L., McGee, J. S., Sutherland, E. S., Ashgar-Alim Crocker, S. M., & Karel, M. (2017). STAR-VA intervention for managing challenging behaviors in VA Community Living Center residents with dementia: Manual for STAR-VA Behavioral Coordinators and Nurse Champions. Washington DC: US Department of Veterans Affairs. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/healthcare-providers/docs/star-va_manual.pdf             

Background

Dr. McGee is a gerontologist, neuropsychologist, and translational researcher whose interdisciplinary research examines strengths, resilience, and adaptation across aging, dementia, caregiving, and chronic illness. Guided by a multisystemic resilience framework, her research investigates how individual psychological resources interact with relational, community, healthcare, cultural, and social factors to influence health, well-being, and quality of life. Her translational work applies these findings to intervention development and implementation in healthcare and community settings.

Research Areas

• Aging, Dementia & Family Caregiving — Character strengths, retained psychological capacities, resilience, hope, gratitude, meaning, spirituality, personhood, and dyadic well-being
• Resilience & Chronic Illness — Resilience, posttraumatic growth, social support, health literacy, self-care, treatment adherence, and social determinants of health
• Contemplative Science — Individual and collective contemplative practices, connectedness, meaning, transcendent experiences, and prosocial and civic engagement
• Cultural & Community Contexts — Aging, health, and resilience across varied cultural, social, and geographic contexts

Aging, Dementia & Family Caregiving
Dr. McGee’s primary research program examines strengths and adaptation among people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their family caregivers. Her early research was among the first to apply the VIA character strengths framework to people living with dementia, advancing a strengths-based approach to understanding retained psychological capacities within the context of cognitive and functional change.

Her subsequent work has examined hope, gratitude, meaning, spirituality, personhood, and relational processes as potential resources for individual and dyadic well-being. Current research builds on these findings to develop strengths-based interventions targeting modifiable resources associated with resilience and well-being in people living with dementia and their family caregivers. This work extends her prior experience developing, adapting, and implementing behavioral approaches to dementia care in healthcare and community settings.

Resilience & Chronic Illness
Dr. McGee’s research on chronic illness examines psychological, behavioral, social, and contextual factors associated with adaptation and health outcomes. This work has investigated resilience, hope, posttraumatic growth, social support, health literacy, patient activation, self-care, and treatment adherence, as well as neighborhood and social determinants of health. This research seeks to identify modifiable factors that can inform behavioral approaches to improving health and well-being among people living with chronic illness and their families.

Contemplative Science
Dr. McGee’s contemplative science research investigates psychological, relational, and social processes associated with individual and collective contemplative practices. Her work examines affective states, equanimity, connectedness, meaning, transcendent experiences, and prosocial and civic engagement, including the feasibility and potential applications of contemplative practices in community settings.

Teaching

Dr. McGee teaches and mentors scholars across the academic pipeline, delivering cross-disciplinary instruction in gerontology alongside core coursework within the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs at the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. 

Doctoral Program (PhD) 

• SWO 6333: Religious and Cultural Diversity
• SWO 6V76: Special Topics in Social Work Practice and Research 
• SWO 6V99: Dissertation 

Master of Social Work (MSW)

• SWO 5311: International Research and Strategic Planning
• SWO 5320: Human Diversity and Social Justice

Undergraduate Programs (BSW & Interdisciplinary) 

• GRT/SOC/SWO 4395: Aging and Mental Health
• GRT/SOC/SWO 3305: Introduction to Gerontology 
• SWO 4301: Social Work Research
• SWO 1300: Human Flourishing & Social Issues