Dr. DeShong is a first-generation college student who grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania. She attended West Virginia University as an undergraduate and Villanova University for an experimental master's degree before moving to Oklahoma for her doctoral training. Dr. DeShong's research focuses on using the five-factor model of general personality to conceptualize, distinguish, and better understand personality disorders and personality constructs like psychopathy and Machiavellianism. She also investigates how personality can influence engagement in adaptive and maladaptive behaviors and thinking styles, such as substance use, suicidal behavior, and rumination. Dr. DeShong teaches several graduate courses that provide training on conducting assessments and therapy.