Jay R. Kayser

PhD Student. Social Work/Psychology - Developmental Candidate

Jay Kayser is a doctoral student in the Joint Program in Social Work and Psychology at the University of Michigan. Kayser’s current research interests center around older adults with chronic health and mental health concerns, and older adults experiencing elder abuse. His work on chronic health and mental health involves both intervention development and leveraging longitudinal data to help identify high-risk groups. His work is informed by his practice background, in which he spent five years as a medical social worker in a large hospital in St. Louis.

Dissertation Title

Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Cognitive Function: Correlates, Consequences, and Causes in Older Adults

Contact Information

Education

  • 2026 PhD Social Work & Psychology
    University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
  • 2014 BA Social Work and Psychology
    University of Iowa
  • 2015 MSW Social Work
    Washington University in St. Louis

Activities

Publications

Xiang X., Kayser J., Turner S., Ash S., & Himle J. A. (2023). Layperson-supported, web-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression in older adults: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 6, e47691.
Kayser J., Wang X., Wu Z., Dimoj A., & Xiang X. (2023). Layperson-facilitated internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for homebound older adults with depression: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. JMIR Protocols.
Kayser J., Hu R., Rosencruggs D., Li, L., & Xiang X. (2023). A systematic review of the impact of select mindfulness interventions on psychological outcomes in older adults with chronic health conditions. Clinical Gerontologist, 46(3), 302-314.
Xiang, X., Kayser, J., Ash, S., Zheng, C., Halavanau, A., Sun, Y., Xue, J., Weaver, A., Dunkle, R., Blackburn, J., & Himle, J. (2023). Web-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression among older adults: Development and usability study. JMIR Aging.
Xiang X., Kayser J., Sun Y., & Himle J. A. (2021). Internet-based psychotherapy intervention for depression among older adults receiving home care: Quality study of participants’ experiences. JMIR Aging, 4(4), e27630.
Xiang X., Ning Y., & Kayser J. (2020). The implications of COVID-19 for the mental health care of older adults: Insights from emergency department social workers. Journal of Gerontologic Social Work, 63(6-7), 662-664.

Honors and Awards

Year Description
2025 - Sp/Su Rackham Debt Managment Award
2024 - Winter Joint Doctoral Program Grant
2023 - Winter John F. Longres Award in Psychology or Sociology
2022 - Winter Joanne Yaffe Doctoral Scholarship
2022 - Sp/Su ISR-Rackham Summer Training Award

Courses

Past Courses

Title Instructor Term Course Section Meeting Start Meeting End
Statistical Methods in Social Sciences II Kayser, Jay R. Winter 2025 001 01:00 pm 05:00 pm View Course
Research Basics for Social Work Practice Kayser, Jay R. Fall 2024 007 06:00 pm 09:00 pm View Course
Research Basics for Social Work Practice Kayser, Jay R. Fall 2024 006 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Research Basics for Social Work Practice Kayser, Jay R. Fall 2024 005 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Behavioral, Psychosocial and Ecological Aspects of Health, Mental Health and Disease Kayser, Jay R. Winter 2024 005 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course