Sara Honn Qualls

Papers

Total Citations

159

H-Index

About

Dr. Sara Honn Qualls is a leading scholar in geropsychology, with a research focus on mental health and emotional well-being in later life, particularly among older adults with depression and dementia. Her most impactful work bridges human psychology with technology, as demonstrated by her highly cited 2022 pilot study on artificial emotional intelligence in socially assistive robots. This research introduced "Ryan," a companion robot designed to engage older adults through emotionally responsive interactions, earning 159 citations and highlighting her innovative approach to addressing loneliness and cognitive decline. Dr. Qualls’ contributions extend to family caregiving and aging services, where she has shaped interventions that support both older adults and their caregivers. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards for advancing mental health care for aging populations. With a career spanning decades, she has profoundly influenced how we understand emotional resilience in later life, making her a pivotal figure in geriatric mental health and human-robot interaction.