Directory

Sean Mullen's directory photo.

Sean Mullen

Associate Professor

Primary Affiliation

Cognition, Lifespan Engagement, Aging, and Resilience

Affiliations

Status Affiliate Faculty

Home Department of Health and Kinesiology

Phone 244-4502

Email spmullen@illinois.edu

Address

  • Biography

    Sean Mullen is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health.

    Education

    • B.A., psychology, Stockton University, 2002

    • M.S., experimental psychology, Villanova University, 2004

    • Ph.D., educational psychology, University of Virginia, 2009

  • Honors

    2017-2023: Recipient of National Institute of Health Loan Repayment, NIH Clinical LRP

    2013,2015,2017,2018, 2020: Listed as “Teachers Ranked as Excellent by their Students” 

    2017: Sentinels of Science Award, Publons.com

    2016: Distinguished Alumni Award in Psychology, Stockton University 

    2009: CASTL Doctoral Research Award in Education Science 

    2007-2009: Education, Leadership, & Foundations Travel Award

    2002: Distinguished Graduate, Richard Stockton College

    2001: Psi Chi, Richard Stockton College

  • Research

    Research areas:

    • Exergaming and brain training 

    • Thermotherapy for improving cognitive control and minimizing mental fatigue

    • Computerized cognitive training intervention

    Research interests:

    • Psychosocial development

    • Physical and cognitive health 

    • Behavioral medicine

    Sean Mullen’s research focuses on understanding factors that facilitate long-term physical activity behavior and self-regulation across the lifespan. His lab employs an interdisciplinary, social neuroscience framework to study psychosocial and cognitive antecedents and outcomes of regular exercise. His team utilizes adjuvant therapies and mobile tech-driven methods to enhance physical activity, cardiovascular & cognitive functioning in healthy and diseased populations.

  • 2023

    • Gaurav S. R., Larrison, C. R., Chen, Z., Mowbray, O., & Mullen, S. P. (January 2023). Associations among anxiety, student loan repayment and financial knowledge. Society for Social Work and Research.
    • Hartwig, S., Hatch, A., Taggart, A., Luo, Y., Kramer, A. F., McAuley, E., & Mullen, S. P. (accepted). Multi-modal cognitive training effects on walking-while-talking performance. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 55, #2569.
    • Hatch, A., Hartwig, S., & Mullen, S. P. (accepted). Confidence vs. competence: Exploring the relationship between self-efficacy and performance regarding flexibility, strength and mobility. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 55, #4022.
    • Mullen, S. P., & Thomas, D. D. (accepted). Predicting early exercise attrition with the Physical Activity Skill-sets for Identification and Training (Passfit) Profile. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 55, #1584.
    • Phansikar, M., Gothe, N. P., Hernandez, R., Lara-Cinisomo, S., & Mullen, S. P. (Feburary 2023). Efficacy of a remote yoga intervention on improving positive psychological well-being. Paper presented to the inaugural International Society for Contemplative Research (from the Mind and Life Institute).
    • Phansikar, M., Gothe, N., Hernandez, R., Lara-Cinisomo, S. & Mullen, S. P. (February, 2023). Feasibility and impact of a remote flow-based, moderate-intensity yoga intervention on executive functioning among working adults: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-022-00385-4

    2022

    • Cannavale, C. N., Keye, S. A., Rosok, L., Martell, S., Holthaus, T. A., Rejser, G., Raine, L. B., Mullen, S. P., Cohen, N. J., Hillman, C. H., Hammond, B. R., Renzi-Hammond, L., Khan, N. A. (November, 2022). Enhancing children’s cognitive function and achievement through carotenoid consumption: The Integrated Childhood Ocular Nutrition Study (iCONS) protocol. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 122, 106964. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2022.106964
    • Johnson, A. M., Pukin, F., Krishna, V., Phansikar, M., & Mullen, S. P. (August, 2022). Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of two technology-assisted vocal interventions for older adults living in a residential facility. Journal of Voice. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2022.07.019
    • Mullen, S. P., Phansikar, M., Taggart, A., Thomas, D. D., Kramer, A. F., & McAuley, E. (2022). Psychometrics of the Self-Efficacy for Exercise Memory Questionnaire (SEEMQ) and associations with self-efficacy beliefs for exercise and memory. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 44, S1-S123.
    • Mullen, S. P., Shen, S., Phansikar, M. P., Taggart, A., Thomas, D. D., Lussier, M., Kramer, A. F., & McAuley, E. (2022). Primary outcomes of the cognitive regulation training and exercise (CORTEX)-II trial: Effects on physical activity engagement. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 44, S1-S123.
    • Phansikar, M. and †Mullen, S. P. (2022). Cognitive and psychosocial effects of an acute sun salutation intervention among adults with stress. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 22, 100431. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2021.10043
    • Phansikar, M., Gothe, N., Hernandez, R., Lara-Cinisomo, S., & Mullen, S. P. (2022). Feasibility and impact of a remote flow-based, moderate-intensity yoga intervention on executive functioning, during a pandemic, among working adults. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 44, S1-S123

    2021

    • Massey, W.V., Szarabajko, A., Thalken, J., Perez, D. & Mullen, S.P. (2021). Memories of school recess predict physical activity enjoyment and social-emotional well-being in adults. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 55. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.101948
    • Mullen, S. P. (June, 2021). Differences in mobile health app motives and usage among individuals with and without chronic conditions. Poster presented at the 16th International Congress of Behavioural Medicine
    • Mullen, S. P., Adamek, J. P., Phansikar, M. A., Roberts, B., Larrison, C. R. (April, 2021). Role of first-gen status, friends, engagement in physical activity and therapy in life satisfaction among college students. A research spotlight presented at the Annual Meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine.
    • Perez, D., Szarabajko, A., Thalken, J., Mullen, S.P., Massey, W. V. (June, 2021). Meaningful play? School recess memories are associated with meaning and purpose in adulthood. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity.
    • Phansikar, M. A., & Mullen, S. P. (April, 2021). Acute effects of sun salutations on cognitive functioning and psychosocial stress among low-active adults. A research talk presented at the Annual Meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine.
    • Szarabajko, A., Thalken, J., Mullen, S. P., Perez, D., Ughelu, N. E., & Massey, W. V. (2021). More than games: Recess experiences are associated with adult well-being. Abstract #2941 SHAPE.

    2020

    • Adamek, J. A., Palac, D., Kramer, A. F., McAuley, E., & Mullen, S. P. (June, 2020). Preliminary validation of the Dot Task for measuring cognitive and physical function. To be presented at the annual meeting of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity. Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN.
    • Adamek, J. F., Bullard, T., Cohen, J. D., Kramer, A. F., McAuley, E., & Mullen, S. P. (April, 2020). Validating the Activity Choice Index with a commercial wearable device and exploring relationships with executive functioning, explicit and implicit physical activity attitudes. Poster presented virtually at the annual meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. San Francisco, CA.
    • Bullard, T., & Mullen, S. P. (April, 2020). Feasibility and efficacy of a brief, video-chat intervention for increasing lifestyle physical activity self-efficacy among low-active, working adults. Poster presented virtually at the annual meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. San Francisco, CA.
    • Canton, I., Taggart, A., Palac, D., Cohen, J. D., & Mullen, S. P. (April, 2020). Perceived mental fatigue in adults: measurement validation in two studies of adults with chronic cognitive complaints. Poster presented virtually at the annual meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. San Francisco, CA.
    • Cohen, J. D., Rogers, W., Petruzzello, S., Trinh, L., & Mullen, S. P. (April, 2020). Feasibility and efficacy of aerobic & relaxation training for improving fatigue in breast cancer survivors: A pilot RCT. Poster presented virtually at the annual meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. San Francisco, CA.
    • Cohen, J. D., Trinh, L., Petruzzello, S., Rogers, W. A., & Mullen, S. P. (March, 2020). Acute (null) effects of relaxation training and aerobic cycling on executive functioning among breast cancer survivors. Online abstract published by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Tucson, AZ.
    • Cohen, J., Rogers, W. A., Petruzzello, S., Trinh, L., & Mullen, S. P. (2020). Acute effects of aerobic exercise and relaxation training on fatigue in breast cancer survivors: a feasibility trial. Psycho-oncology, 30(2), 252-259. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.5561
    • Koon, L. M., Mullen, S. P., & Rogers, W. A. (October, 2020). Self-determination through technology: Understanding physical activity engagement for Older Adults. Presented as part of a Virtual Symposium entitled, “Evidence-based physical activity interventions with fitness technologies in mind: what can we recommend?” at the Annual Scientific Meeting for the Gerontological Society of America.
    • Mullen, S. P., Cohen, J. D., Taggart, A., Bullard, T., Palac, D., Boot, W., Kramer, A. F., & McAuley, E. (April, 2020). Middle-aged adults’ expectancies prior to starting a cognitive-motor training and exercise program. Poster presented virtually at the annual meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. San Francisco, CA.
    • Mullen, S., Adamek, J., Phansikar, M., Canton, I., & Massey, W. (June, 2020). Relationships among executive functioning, future time perspective, identity, and physical activity self-regulation among low-active middle-aged adults. To be presented at the annual meeting of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity. Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN.
    • North, J., Palac, D., & Mullen, S. P. (April, 2020). Testing potential benefits of early multisport participation in young adults: a path analysis of physical activity, selfregulation, well-being and retrospectively-reported sport involvement. Poster presented virtually at the annual meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. San Francisco, CA.
    • Phansikar, M., & Mullen, S. P. (2020). Exploring active travel and leisure-time physical activity relationships with cognition among older adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 28, 4, 580-587. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2019-0125
    • Phansikar, M., & Mullen, S. P. (April, 2020). Effect of aerobic exercise intervention on executive functioning: the mediating role of stress. Poster presented virtually at the annual meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. San Francisco, CA.
    • Raine, L., McDonald, K., Shigeta, T. T., Hsieh, S., Hunt, J., Chiarlitti, N. A., Lim, M., Gebhardt, K., Collins, N., De Lisio, M., Mullen, S. P., Kramer, A. F., & Hillman, C. (2020). Sympathetic nervous system and exercise affects cognition in youth (SNEACY): study protocol for a randomized crossover trial. Trials, 22(1), 1-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05096-w

    2019

    • Bullard, T., & Mullen, S. P. (March, 2019). Optimizing a profile for predictive classification of physical activity among adults. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Washington, DC.
    • Bullard, T., Ruopeng, A., Trinh, L., Mackenzie, M., & Mullen, S. P. (2019). A systematic review and meta-analysis of adherence to physical activity interventions among three chronic conditions: cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. BMC Public Health, 19(636), 1-11. DOI:10.1186/s12889-019-6877-z
    • Cohen, J. D., Palac, D., North, J., Shen, S., & Mullen, S. P. (March, 2019). Effects of tech-supported exercise on fatigue and study completion in breast cancer survivors: systematic review and meta-analysis. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Washington, DC.
    • Mullen, S. P., & Conroy, D. E. (2019). Editorial: Innovative applications of technology for the assessment and promotion of physical activity. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 41, 144-145. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.01.004
    • Mullen, S. P., Palac, D., Cohen, J. C., Bullard, T., & Mudar, R. (March, 2019). iPadenhanced aerobic training effects on wayfinding and self-efficacy among mid-life adults with memory complaints. Paper presented as part of Aging SIG Symposium entitled “Aging with Technology: Importance of Technology to the Future of Geriatric Health Promotion Research and Practice.” Presented at the Annual Meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Washington, DC.
    • Mullen, S. P., Taggart, A., Bullard, T., Cohen, J. D., Stine-Morrow, E. A. L., McAuley, E., & Kramer, A. F. (June, 2019). Measurement of mental fatigue and training transfer to untrained performance among middle-aged adults. Poster presented at the annual meeting for the Society for Applied Research in Memory and Cognition (SARMAC XIII). Cape Cod, MA.
    • Palac, D., and Mullen, S. P. (March, 2019). Relationships among concussion history and subsequent physical activity, memory, and mindfulness. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Washington, DC.
    • Palac, D.†, Bullard, T., Cohen, J. D., Nguyen, L. T., Mudar, R. A., & Mullen, S. P.† (2019). Effects of traditional vs. iPad-enhanced aerobic exercise on wayfinding efficacy and cognition: a pilot randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(18), 3495. DOI:10.3390/ijerph16183495
    • Phansikar, M., & Mullen, S. P. (March, 2019). Exploring non-recreational and recreational physical activity relationships with cognition. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Washington, DC.
    • Phansikar, M., Ashrafi, S. A., Khan, N. A., Massey, W. V., & Mullen, S. P. (2019). Active Commute in relation to cognition and academic achievement in children and adolescents: A systematic review and future recommendations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(24), 5103. DOI:10.3390/ijerph16245103.
    • Taggart, A., & Mullen, S. P. (June, 2019). Effects of martial arts training on motor functioning: A scoping review. Paper presented to the annual meeting for the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport & Physical Activity (NASPSPA). Baltimore, MD.

    2018

    • +Bullard, T., Cohen, J. D., Palac, D., Kramer, A. F., McAuley, E., & Mullen, S. P. (April, 2018). Exercise self-efficacy growth trajectories after 20 hours of cognitive training. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. New Orleans, LA.
    • Cohen, J. D., Palac, D., Bullard, T., North, J. R., Phansikar, M., & Mullen, S. P. (April, 2018). Relationships among affect, memory, perceptions, and physical function in older adults with cancer. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. New Orleans, LA.
    • Edwards, C. G., Walk, A. M., Thompson, S. V., Mullen, S. P., Holscher, H. D., & Khan, N. A. (2018). Disordered eating attitudes and behavioral neuroelectric indices of cognitive flexibility in individuals with overweight and obesity. Nutrients, 10(12), 1902- 1915. doi:10.3390/nu10121902
    • Massey, W. V., Stellino, M. B., Mullen, S. P., Claassen, J., & Wilkison, M. (2018). Development of the great recess framework—observational tool to measure contextual and behavioral components of elementary school recess. BMC Public Health, 18(394). doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5295-y
    • McAuley, E., Mullen, S. P., & Fanning, J. (2018) Promoting physical activity behavior: Interventions and mediators. In E. B. Fisher, L. D. Cameron, A. J. Christensen, U. Ehlert, Y. Guo, B. Oldernburg, & F., Snoek (Eds.), Principles and concepts of behavioral medicine: A global handbook. NY: Springer.
    • Mullen, S. P., Cohen, J., Palac, D., Bullard, T., Phansikar, M., North, J., Wong, B., & Wilund, K. (April, 2018). A pilot RCT testing effects of steam-room usage after exercise on cardiovascular functioning among pre-hypertensive adults. Poster presented at the annual meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. New Orleans, LA.
    • North, J., Cohen, J., Palac, D., Bullard, T., Phansikar, M., Wong, B., & Mullen, S. P. (April, 2018). Increased sleep efficiency through heat therapy and exercise. Poster presented at the annual meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. New Orleans, LA.
    • Palac, D., Cohen, J. D., Bullard, T., Kramer, A. F., McAuley, E., & Mullen, S. P. (April, 2018). Personality profiles, exercise trial attrition and adherence: Do the Big Five matter? Poster presented at the Annual Meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. New Orleans, LA.
    • Phansikar, M., Palac, D., Cohen, J. D., Bullard, T., North, J. R., Wilund, K., Wong, B., & Mullen, S. P. (April, 2018). Complementary effects of exercise and heat therapy on mindfulness and cognition. Poster presented at the annual meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine. New Orleans, LA.