Linda Lin

Professor of Psychology

Dr. Linda Lin is a clinical psychologist and researcher whose work examines the psychological and social factors that influence health and well-being. She earned her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, completed her clinical psychology internship at the Boston Consortium of Clinical Psychology, and was a Postdoctoral Fellow in Clinical Psychology at Boston University School of Medicine. Before joining Emmanuel College in 2004, she taught at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Boston University School of Medicine and worked as a psychotherapist in a variety of medical and mental health settings.

For more than two decades, Dr. Lin’s primary research has focused on the psychological and social factors that contribute to body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. Her research has examined the influence of social media, social norms, interpersonal relationships, and other psychological and social factors on body image and health. She has also conducted research on health-related behaviors and public health issues, including weight, exercise, smoking/vaping, and COVID-19.

In recent years, Dr. Lin’s teaching, research, and professional work have expanded to a broader focus on happiness and well-being, with particular interest in social health. Her current work examines loneliness, friendship, and social connection. She is particularly interested in helping communities combat the loneliness epidemic by promoting skills that build stronger relationships and more connected lives. Dr. Lin speaks to schools and organizations about ways to enhance the social health and well-being of their community.

Link to Dr. Lin’s Speaking Website

What I Love About Emmanuel:

I feel really lucky to work at a place like Emmanuel College. Emmanuel is a small, tight knit community where people genuinely care about each other. Students are not anonymous here; they become a part of a dynamic community in the middle of Boston. I get to teach small classes where I get to know all my students and support them in their personal and professional development. 

  • Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Clinical Health Psychology, Boston University School of Medicine
  • Internship in Clinical Psychology, Boston Consortium of Clinical Psychology
  • Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • M.S. Clinical Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • B.A. Psychology, New York University
  • PSYCH2405 - Health Psychology
  • PSYCH2410 – Psychology of Happiness and Well-Being
  • PSYCH2801 - Research Methods and Statistics I
  • PSYCH2802 - Research Methods and Statistics II
  • PSYCH3212 - Adult Psychopathology
  • PSYCH4494 - Applied Internship in Psychology I
  • PSYCH4495 - Applied Internship in Psychology II

PEER-REVIEWED SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS (* denotes Emmanuel Student)

  • Lin, L., Flynn, M. A., & DelTorchio, K.* (2026). Online vs. in-person body talk: The effects of gender, context, and body talk type on frequency and body satisfaction. Body Image, 59, 102170. https://doi-org.ezproxyemc.flo.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2026.102170
  • Alleva, J.M., Türkcan, T., Lin, L., Sloutas, L., Steinbeck, M., & Fardouly, J. (2026). The effects of exposure to imagery created with generative artificial intelligence (gen-AI) on young women’s body image: Do image type and disclosure matter?Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans, 100339 https://doi-org.ezproxyemc.flo.org/10.1016/j.chbah.2026.100339
  • Lin, L., & Yager, Z. (2026). Pilot test of a brief single-session body functionality appreciation audio meditation: Efficacy of focused and multitasking formats. Body Image, 57, 102052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2026.102052
  • Berg, M.B., Lin, L., Beebe, J. & Ondrasek, H. (2025). Social Support and Resilience as Moderators of the Relationship between COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Trauma and Posttraumatic Growth in U.S. Adults. Journal of Happiness and Health, 5(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.47602/johah.v5i1.93
  • He, J., Lu, Y., Barnhart, W. R., Tang, C., Zhang, H., Zhao, Y. & Lin, L. (2023) Translation and Validation of a Chinese Version of the Body Talk Scale for Women and Men. Journal of Eating Disorders, 11 (1), 153. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00884-y
  • Berg, M. & Lin, L. (2021). Predictors of COVID-19 vaccine intentions in the United States: The role of attitudes, perceived barriers, subjective norms, and trust in the approval process. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 11(1), 1782-1788. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibab102
  • Lin, L., Flynn, M.A., O’Dell, D.* (2021). Measuring positive and negative body talk in men and women: The development of the Body Talk Scale. Body Image, 37, 106-116. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.01.013Berg, M.B. & Lin. L. (2020). Prevalence and Predictors of Early COVID-19 Prevention Behavior in the United States. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 10, 343-349. doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibaa085
  • Flynn, M., Lin, L., & Champigny, L.* (2020). The relationship between women’s peer and social networking site thinness discrepancies and body dissatisfaction. Southern Communication Journal, 85, 1-12. DOI: 10.1080/1041794X.2020.1803956
  • Lin, L., Roberge, A.*, & Flynn, M. (2020). Appearance-based Praise and Criticism: Does the Source Matter? Communication Research Reports, 37, 149-160. doi.org/10.1080/08824096.2020.1796616
  • Berg, M. B. & Lin, L. (2020). How effective are campus-wide smoking bans? A comparison of two small colleges. Journal of American College Health. doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1756829
  • Flynn, M. A., Cotchett, E.*, & Lin, L. (2020). The relationship between men’s peer and social media muscularity ideal discrepancies and body satisfaction. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 37(5), 1534-1553. doi.org/10.1177/0265407520903387
  • Lin, L., Flynn, M., & Roberge, A.* (2019). Hearing vs engaging in negative body talk: An examination of adult men. Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment & Prevention, 27(6), 538–549. https://doi-org.ezproxyemc.flo.org/10.1080/10640266.2018.1560851
  • Berg, M. & Lin, L. (2018). Occasionally stigmatized: How frequency and context of use influence perceptions of intermittent smokers. Addiction Theory and Research. doi: 10.1080/16066359.2018.1499897 
  • Smirles, K. E. & Lin, L. (2018). The Effect of Thin and Plus-Sized Model Exposure on Anti-Fat Weight Bias in Women. Social Science Journal. doi: 10.1016/j.soscij.2018.02.002
  • Berg, M. B., Lin, L., & Alfonso-Barry, J.  (2017) Attitudinal and behavioral differences between cigarette users who do and do not identify as “smokers”. Journal of American College Health, 65, 1-8, doi: 10.1080/07448481.2017.1312417
  • Lin, L. & Soby, M. E.* (2016b). Is listening to fat talk the same as participating in fat talk? Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention. 25, 165-172, doi: 10.1080/10640266.2016.1255106
  • McDonnell, A. & Lin, L. (2016). The Hot Body Issue: Weight and caption valence in celebrity gossip magazines. Body Image, 18, 74-77. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.06.001.
  • Lin, L. & Soby, M. E.* (2016a) Appearance comparisons styles and eating disordered symptoms in women. Eating Behaviors, 23, 7-12. doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2016.06.006
  • Berg, M. B., Lin, L., Hollar, S., Walker, S., & Erickson, L. (2016). The relationship between weight-based prejudice and attitudes toward obesity-reducing public policies. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy. doi:10.1111/asap.12113
  • Lin, L. & DeCusati, F.* (2015) Muscle dysmorphia and the perception of men’s peer muscularity norms.  American Journal of Men’s Health, 10(6) N78–N88. DOI: 10.1177/1557988315598367
  • Lin, L., McCormack, H.*, Kruczkowski, L.*, & Berg, M. B. (2015). How women’s perceptions of peer weight preferences are related to drive for thinness. Sex Roles, 72(3-4), 117-126. doi:10.1007/s11199-015-0446-4

INVITED BOOK CHAPTERS

  • Lin, L. & Perna, F. (2006). Psychological Issues and the Bariatric Surgery Patient. In F. A. Farraye & R. A. Forse (Eds.), Bariatric Surgery: A Primer (pp.213 -231). New Jersey: Slack Incorporated

PEER-REVIEWED SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE PAPER PRESENTATIONS (* denotes Emmanuel Student)

  • Flynn, M.A., Lin, L. & Cochett, E.* (2019). The impact of men’s offline and online peer muscularity ideal discrepancies on body satisfaction. Presented at the April 2019 Eastern Communication Association Conference, Providence, RI.
  • Lin, L. & Flynn, M. (2019). Women's Perceptions of Online and In-Person Peer Weight Preferences and Body Dissatisfaction. Paper presented at the International Conference on Eating Disorders. New York, NY.
  • Lin, L., Flynn, M., & Roberge, A. (2018). Appearance-Related Praise and Criticism and Men's Body Image: Does the Source Matter? Paper presented at the Appearance Matters International Conference. Bath, England. 
  • Lin, L. & McDonnell, A. (2018). How Gender, Age, and Race Affect the Depictions in Celebrity Gossip Magazines. Paper presented at the 2018 annual meeting of the Association for Women in Psychology. Philadelphia, PA. 
  • Lin, L. & Soby, M.* (2017). Appearance comparisons styles and women's body image. Paper presented at the 2017 annual meeting of the Association for Women in Psychology. Milwaukee, WI.
  • Lin, L. & Gold, J.* (2015). How Appearance-Related Comments from Peers are Related to Muscle Dysmorphia Symptoms in College Men. Paper presented at the 2015 annual meeting of the New England Psychological Association. Fitchburg, MA.
  • Soby, M. E.*, O'Connor, D. J., Burns, C.* & Lin, L. (2015). Physical Appearance Comparison Patterns and Eating Disordered Attitudes in College-Aged Women. Paper presented at the 2015 annual meeting of the New England Psychological Association. Fitchburg, MA. 
  • Lin, L., Soby, M.*, & Kachinski, V.* (2015). "I feel so fat": The relationship between close friend's negative body talk and women's body image. Paper presented at the 2015 Annual meeting of the Association for Women in Psychology. San Francisco, CA.
  • Smirles, K., Lin, L., & Fitzpatrick, C.*(2015). "Loving "real" women: The effects of viewing thin vs. "plus-sized" models on body satisfaction and anti-fat bias". Paper presented at the Association for Women in Psychology conference in San Francisco, CA.
  • Smirles, K. & Lin, L. (2015). "Faculty Leadership: Challenges and Strategies". Facilitated a structured discussion at the Association for Women in Psychology conference in San Francisco, CA
  • Lin, L. & Decusati, F.* (2014). Muscle Dysmorphia and the Perception of Peer Muscularity Norms in College Men. Paper presented at the 2014 Annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. Boston, MA. 
  • Lin, L., McCormack, H.*, Kruczkowski, L.*, & Merrill, B.* (2013). Eating Disordered Symptoms and Women's Perception of Weight Preference. Paper presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Eastern Psychology Association. New York, NY.
  • Decusati, F.*, Merrill, B.*, & Lin, L. (2012). Social Norms and Weight Prejudice. Poster presentation for the 2012 meeting of the New England Psychological Association. Worcester, MA.
  • Kruczkowski, L.* & Lin, L. (2012). The Influence of Family and Close Friends on Weight Expectations and Eating Disordered Attitudes. Paper presentation for the 2012 meeting of the New England Psychological Association. Worcester, MA.
  • McCormack, H.* & Lin. L. (2012). Using Tailored Normative Feedback as an Intervention for Eating Disordered Attitudes and Poor Body Image. Paper presentation for the 2012 meeting of the New England Psychological Association. Worcester, MA.
  • Merrill, B.* & Lin, L. (2012). Using a Cognitive Dissonance Intervention to Reduce Antifat Attitudes. Paper presentation for the 2012 meeting of the New England Psychological Association. Worcester, MA.
  • Kruczkowski, L.*, McCormack, H.*, DeCusati, F.*, & Lin, L. (2011). The Effect of Media Exposure on Appearance Investment and Physical Appearance Comparisons in Women. Paper Presentation for the 2011 meeting of the New England Psychological Association.
  • McCormack, H. *, Merrill, B. *, & Lin, L. (2011). Normative Perceptions of Weight Preferences and Eating Disordered Attitudes in Women. Paper Presentation for the 2011 meeting of the New England Psychological Association.
  • Merrill, B.*, Kruczkowski, L. *, DeCusati, F. *, & Lin, L. (2011). The Relationship between Diet Motivations and Psychological Outcomes: The Development of the Diet Motivations Scale. Paper Presentation for the 2011 meeting of the New England Psychological Association.
  • Lin, L. (2008). When You Are the Diversity in the Classroom. Presented at the 2008 annual conference for the New England Center for Inclusive Teaching at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Boston, MA.
  • Lin, L. (2008). Use of memoirs to develop clinical writing skills. In S. Spencer (Chair), Teaching the Three R's: Reading, (W)riting, and Reflection Across the Curriculum. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association. Boston, MA. 
  • Lin, L. (2006). Using Student "Teaching" as a Vehicle for Critical Thinking and Analysis. Talk presented at the annual meeting of the Northeast Conference for Teachers in Psychology. New Haven, CT. 

PEER-REVIEWED SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE POSTER PRESENTATIONS (* denotes Emmanuel Student)

  • DelTorchio, K.* & Lin, L. (2022). A Comparison of Online and In-Person Body Talk with Body Satisfaction. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. New York, NY.
  • Lemansky, M.*, Berg, M. B., & Lin, L. (2022). Demographic Susceptibility to COVID-19 Vaccine Disinformation. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. New York, NY.
  • Carew, B.* & Lin, L. (2022). Positive Body Talk and Body Satisfaction. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. New York, NY.
  • Viviano, G.* & Lin, L. (2022). Attitudes toward E-Cigarettes and Combustible Cigarettes. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. New York, NY
  • Lin, L. & Flynn, M. (2021). The Development and Validation of the Body Talk Scale. Poster presented at Appearance Matters 2021. – online conference
  • O’Dell, D.* & Lin, L. (2021). The Relationship between Body Talk and Body Satisfaction. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. Online.
  • Steffes, S.* & Lin. L (2020). The Effect of Target Gender on Perceptions of Orthorexia. Poster accepted at the annual meeting for the American Psychological Association. Washington, D. C. – conference cancelled due to COVID-19
  • O’Dell, D.* & Lin. L (2020).  Correlates of Positive Body Talk in Adult Men and Women. Poster presented at the annual meeting for the Eastern Psychological Association. Boston, MA. – online conference
  • Viviano, G.*, Mello, S.* & Lin, L. (2020). The effects of reading negative news stories about e-cigarette use.  Poster presented at the annual meeting for the Eastern Psychological Association. Boston, MA. – online conference
  • Travis, S.*, Deltorchio, K.*, & Lin, L.  (2020). Upward Appearance Comparison Mediates the Relationship between Muscle Talk and Body Satisfaction in Adult Men and Women. Poster presented at the annual meeting for the Eastern Psychological Association. Boston, MA. – online conference
  • Eldredge, O.* & Lin, L.  (2020). The Influence of Weight Status and Gender on Eating Disorder Recognition and Target Perceptions. Poster presented at the annual meeting for the Eastern Psychological Association. Boston, MA. – online conference
  • Mello, S., O'Dell, D., Viviano, G., & Lin, L. (2019). The Relationship between Appearance Comparisons and Body Esteem: A Comparison of Men and Women. Poster presented at the Fenway Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference. Boston, MA.
  • Travis, S. Steffes, S.*, & Lin, L. (2019). Gender Differences in Body Talk. Poster presented at the Fenway Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference. Boston, MA.
  • Eldredge, O.*, Huchel, E. *, Lin, L., & Flynn, M. (2019). Appearance-Related Praise and Criticism on Social Networking Sites and Body Dissatisfaction in Men and Women. Poster presented at the International Conference on Eating Disorders. New York, NY
  • Eldredge, O.* Roberge, A.* Huchel, E.* & Lin, L. (2018). What does #thinspo and #fitspo look like on social media? Poster presented at the Association for Women in Psychology Conference in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Berg, M. & Lin, L. (2017) Occasionally Stigmatized: Frequency of Smoking Influences Perceptions of Cigarette Users. Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Science Conference in Boston, MA.
  • Roberge, A.* & Lin. L. (2017). Does relationship status moderate the association between internalization of muscular ideals and self-esteem in men? Poster presented at the Eastern Psychological Association Conference. Boston, MA.
  • Roberge, A.* & Lin, L. (2016). How does relationship status affect the association between self-esteem and appearance attitudes in men? Poster presented at the Fenway Psychology Research Conference. Boston, MA.
  • Lin, L. & McDonnell, A. (2016). Body image and celebrity gossip magazines. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. New York, NY.
  • Berg, M. B., Lin, L., Barry, J. A. (2016). Attitudinal and behavioral differences between college smokers who do and do not identify themselves as "smokers." Poster presented at the annual meeting of Society of Behavioral Medicine, Washington, D.C.
  • Alfonso, J., Brown, M.E.*, Smith, J.M.*, Kilduff, S.E.*, Berg, M.B. & Lin, L. (2014). Factors related to support for a campus-wide smoking ban in small liberal arts college settings. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the New England Psychological Association, Lewiston, ME.
  • DeNuzzio, A.*, Kachinski, V.*, DeCusati,F. * & Lin, L. (2014). How do peer groups influence men's muscularity ideals? Presented at the 2014 Meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. Boston, MA.
  • Soby, M.* & Lin, L. (2014). The accuracy of college men's perceptions of ideal muscularity and steroid use. Presented at the 2014 Meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. Boston, MA.
  • Kachinski, V.*, DeNuzzio, A.* & Lin, L. (2014). Evidence of pluralistic ignorance in men's estimates of muscularity norms. Presented at the 2014 Meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. Boston, MA.
  • Lin, L., McCormack, H.*, Kruczkowski, L.*, & Merrill, B.* (2013). Which Comparison Groups Influence Women's Thin Ideals? Poster presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Eastern Psychology Association. New York, NY.
  • DeCusati, F.*, Temme, C.*, Zonay, M.*, & Lin, L. (2013). Do Women and Men Experience Pluralistic Ignorance in their Estimates of Other's Exercise and Dieting Behaviors? Poster presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Eastern Psychology Association. New York, NY.
  • Larson, H.*, Denuzzio, A.*, Kachinsky, V.*, & Lin, L. (2013) Gender Differences in the Accuracy of Weight Preferences of Same-Sex Versus Opposite-Sex Reference Groups. Poster presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Eastern Psychology Association. New York, NY.
  • Merrill, B*., McCormack, H*., & Lin, L. (2011). The Relationship between Attitudes About Physical Appearance and Attitudes Toward the Obese. Presented as a Poster at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 
  • Burbine, A.*, Kruczkowski, L*., & Lin, L. (2011). The mediating role of appearance investment in the evaluation of body types. Presented as a Poster at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 
  • Racine, A.* & Lin, L. (April, 2009). "The Influence of the Perception of Maternal Weight-Related Attitudes on Adolescent Weight-Related Attitudes" Poster presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the Boston Undergraduate Research Symposium. Harvard University. Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Reid, K.* & Lin, L. (October, 2007). "The Relationship between Antifat Bias, Body Dissatisfaction, and Media Exposure". Poster presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the New England Psychological Association. Southern New Hampshire State University. Manchester, New Hampshire. 
  • Silberbogen, A., Lin, L., & Mori, D. (October, 2005). Group Therapy for Veterans with Co-Morbid Psychiatric and Medical Illness. Poster presented at the American Association of Behavior Therapy in New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Lin, L. (October, 2003). Physical Activity and Depression: Does the context of the activity matter? Poster Presentation. The Cooper Institute, Annual Conference. Dallas, TX.
  • Lin, L. (August 2001). The validity and reliability of the Reasons for Exercise Scale. American Psychological Association, Annual Conference. San Francisco, CA.

INVITED PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS 

  • Lin, L. (2020). Eating Disorders and Nutrition. Invited speaker. Showa Women’s University Boston. Boston, MA.
  • Lin, L. (2019). Myths about Girl's Empowerment. (Keynote Address) Miss Porter's School for Girls Leadership Conference. Farmington, CT.Lin, L. (2018). How to Raise a Body Confident Daughter. Workshop for mothers raising daughters. Moms as Mentors. Impact Hub. Boston, MA.
  • Lin, L. (2018). Stronger Together: Building Girls Self-Esteem. Workshop for mothers and their middle school daughters that focuses on media literary, self-esteem, and building the mother-daughter relationship. Moms as Mentors. Ten Acre School. Wellesley, MA.
  • Lin, L. (2018). Strategies for Working Women. Presented at a networking event sponsored by She Geeks Out and Cogo Labs. Cambridge, MA.
  • Lin, L. (2008).Career Paths in Academic Psychology. Presented at the 2008 annual conference for the New England Psychological Association at Western New England College. Springfield, MA. 
  • Lin, L. (2008). Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions for Smoking Cessation. Presented to the Smoking Cessation Research Group at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Boston, MA.
  • Lin, L. (2007). Teaching Careers in Academic Psychology. Panelist at the New England Psychology Association Conference. Conference held at Southern Connecticut University. 
  • Lin, L. (2007). Career Paths in Psychology. Invited panelist at the New England Psychology Association Conference. Conference held at Southern Connecticut University.
  • Lin, L. (2005). Future Directions in Health Psychology. Invited talk given at Boston University School of Medicine. Boston, MA. 
  • Lin, L. (2005). Problems with Treatment Adherence in Exercise Interventions. Invited guest at a roundtable discussion of hosted at the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Boston, Massachusetts. 
  • Lin, L. (2003). Work-Life Balance: Balancing your Professional and Personal Goals. Presented at the Boston Consortium of Clinical Psychology - VA Boston. Boston, MA. 
  • Lin, L. (2002). Exercise and mental health: The role of exercise in treatment. Presented at the Behavioral Medicine Department at University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Worcester, MA. 
  • Lin, L. (2002). Clinical considerations when working with Asian-American patients. Presented at the Behavioral Medicine Department at University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Worcester, MA. 
  • Lin, L. (2001). TA to TA: The role of the graduate teaching assistant. Center for Teaching, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Amherst, MA.