Jennifer Eno Louden

Jennifer E. Loudon is a forensic psychologist and academic leader whose research and professional work have significantly advanced the understanding of the psychological dimensions of criminal behavior, particularly within the realms of forensic psychology and intelligence. Loudon is an associate professor at the University of Texas at El Paso and has made considerable contributions through her research, teaching, and editorial efforts in psychology.

Education

Jennifer E. Loudon earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine, in 2009. Her dissertation, titled Effect of Stigma of Mental Disorder and Substance Abuse on Probation Officers’ Case Management Decisions, examined the impact of stigma on the professional decisions made by probation officers. She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where her thesis focused on measuring jurors’ insanity prototypes. Loudon also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, cum laude, from the same institution in 2002. Additionally, she obtained a “Best paper award” from the journal Psychological Services for the article “Social networks and treatment adherence among Latino offenders with mental illness (University of Texas at El Paso, 2023).

Professional experience

Loudon began her academic career as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at El Paso from 2009 to 2015. In 2015, she was promoted to Associate Professor in the same department, where she continues to teach and conduct research. Throughout her tenure, Loudon has contributed to the academic community by mentoring students and developing innovative courses in forensic psychology and related fields.

Research contributions

Jennifer Loudon’s research primarily focuses on the intersection of psychology, criminal behavior, and intelligence. Her work addresses the psychological mechanisms that underlie criminal actions, with a specific focus on forensic applications. She has published numerous studies exploring the motivations behind criminal behaviors, psychopathy, and psychological assessments in legal contexts.

Loudon's research has also contributed to discussions about the stigma associated with mental disorders and its effects on the criminal justice system. Her work emphasizes the need for evidence-based approaches in criminal profiling and risk assessments. She has been instrumental in advocating for reforms within forensic psychology, calling for a better understanding of the psychological factors that affect decision-making in legal contexts (Skeem, Louden, Manchak, Vidal, & Haddad, 2009).

Grants

Loudon has been awarded several grants to support her research initiatives. Notable grants include a 2020-2023 project funded by the National Institute of Justice, examining "Crime and victimization on the US-Mexico border," where she serves as Principal Investigator. Other significant grants include a collaborative research project on self-stigma among Latinos on the U.S.-Mexico border and studies on adolescent social development during incarceration, highlighting her commitment to understanding mental health issues in diverse populations (University of Texas at El Paso, 2020).

Editorial work

Loudon has held editorial positions in leading psychology journals, contributing her expertise to the review and curation of forensic psychology literature. Her role in these academic journals includes peer-reviewing submissions, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of published research, and guiding the dissemination of forensic psychology knowledge. Her editorial contributions have influenced the field by shaping discussions on emerging topics in forensic psychology, emphasizing the importance of rigorous research methodologies and ethical considerations in psychological assessments.

Awards and recognition

Throughout her career, Loudon has received recognition for her contributions to the field of forensic psychology. She has been awarded by organizations within the psychological and forensic communities for her research and editorial work. Some of the awards and honors she has received are

• Best paper award from the journal Psychological Services for the article “Social networks and treatment adherence among Latino offenders with mental illness.”
• University of California, Irvine School of Social Ecology Graduate Mentoring Award ($200).
• University of California, Irvine Dissertation Writing Fellowship.
• American Psychology-Law Society/Annual Review Travel Award ($250).
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Research Conference on Mental Health Services New Investigator Program ($1,000).
• Summer Research Stipend, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas ($3,333).
• Graduate Student Research Award, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Her contributions to criminal behavior analysis and psychological assessment in forensic contexts have earned her widespread respect among her peers.

Community outreach and advocacy

Loudon is also involved in advocacy and outreach, particularly within the criminal justice system. She has collaborated with community organizations to promote mental health awareness, focusing on treatment for offenders and the role of psychological services in rehabilitation (Eno Louden et. al., 2022). Loudon’s outreach efforts aim to bridge the gap between forensic psychology and community-based initiatives that address the mental health needs of individuals involved in the legal system.

Her advocacy work includes training law enforcement and legal professionals on psychological assessment tools and criminal profiling, emphasizing the importance of mental health care in reducing crime. Loudon frequently speaks at conferences and workshops that focus on improving the integration of psychology into legal practice.

Recent contributions and findings in forensic psychology

Loudon has recently expanded her research to explore the psychological and policy-related factors underlying responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in correctional settings. For example, in a study by Eno Louden, Vaudreuil, Queen, Alvarez, and Garcia (2021), the researchers analyzed the factors influencing support for COVID-19 mitigation policies in jails and prisons. Their work highlights the complex interplay between public health guidelines and psychological responses, emphasizing the unique challenges faced in high-risk environments like correctional facilities during the pandemic. This study underscores the importance of mental health considerations when developing containment strategies in such settings.

Several presentations have showcased her commitment to understanding mental health issues within the justice system:

1. Vaudreuil, E., Romero, I., & Eno Louden, J. (2020, March). The relationship between mental health and recidivism in a juvenile offender population.
2. Adair, R., Guzman, E., Santiesteban, A., Perez, J., Garcia, A., Torres, M., & Eno Louden, J. (2020, March). The role of mental illness in women’s pathways to offending.
3. Corral, A., Eno Louden, J., & Avila, A. (2020, March). Mental illness and substance use as risk factors of perpetrating intimate partner violence among women offenders.