Faculty in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences are focused on health disparities and behaviors, including psychological stress experienced by different populations, chronic disease health disparities in minorities, socio-structural determinants of health behaviors, chronic disease prevention in underserved populations, homelessness, and the conditions which contribute to health and illness.

Professor

Dr. Bigatti’s current research portfolio centers on health disparities. She examines the distinct psychological stress experienced by different populations and its negative physical and mental health outcomes.

The Complex Relationship Between Pain Intensity and Physical Function in Fibromyalgia: The Mediating Role of Depression

Spirituality, Emotional Distress, and Post-traumatic Growth in Breast Cancer Survivors and their Partners: An Actor-partner Interdependence Modeling Approach

Acceptability and Feasibility of a Meaning-based Intervention for Advanced Cancer Patients and their Spouses: A Pilot Study

A Comparison of Quality of Life Measures in Husbands of Women with Breast Cancer

Assistant Professor

Dr. Grant is an intervention researcher and methodologist who works across the behavioral, social, and health sciences. His methodological work primarily focuses on research synthesis methods, open science practices, and consensus development methods. His substantive work primarily focuses on behavioral health. Overall, his work aims to advance the credibility of intervention research and its utility for supporting evidence-based policy and practice.

Considerations of complexity in rating certainty of evidence in systematic reviews: a primer on using the GRADE approach in global health

Practical guidance for involving stakeholders in health research

Comparative effectiveness of brief alcohol interventions for college students: Results from a network meta-analysis

Investing in evidence-based social and emotional learning

Reporting randomised trials of social and psychological interventions: the CONSORT-SPI 2018 Extension

Assistant Professor

Dr. Hood’s research has a strong emphasis on addressing chronic disease health disparities in ethnic minority and underserved populations. In particular, her research seeks to identify mechanisms and develop culturally appropriate approaches to increase social support and health communication as critical strategies for promoting chronic disease prevention, coping, and self-management.

Organizational-level Recruitment of Barbershops as Intervention Study Sites: Health Promotion among Black Men

Using the PRECEDE Planning Approach to Develop a Physical Activity Intervention for African American Men Who Visit Barbershops: Results from the FITShop Study

Discussing Cancer: Communication with African Americans

Professor, Associate Dean of Research

Dr. Maupomé is an oral health researcher with primary interests in dental health services research and oral epidemiology; oral treatment needs among patients at high risk of disease or subject to health and social disparities; and analysis of how dental professionals make clinical decisions.

Association of added sugar intake and caries-related experiences among individuals of Mexican origin

Factors associated with seeking preventive dental care: an integrative model exploration of behaviors in Mexican immigrants in Midwest America

Psychological and behavioral acculturation in a social network of Mexican Americans in the United States and use of dental services

Survival analysis of metal crowns versus restorations in primary mandibular molars

Talking about teeth: Egocentric networks and oral health outcomes in a Mexican American immigrant community

Associate Professor, Social and Behavioral Sciences Department Chair

Dr. Staten’s research focuses on chronic disease prevention in underserved populations using community-based participatory research methods.

An Examination of the Promotion and Tenure Support for Community Engaged Research at Three Universities Collaborating through a Clinical and Translational Science Award

Evidence for Long-term Impact of Pasos Adelante: Using a Community-wide Survey to Evaluate Chronic Disease Risk Modification in Prior Program Participants

Inequitable Chronic Lead Exposure: A Dual Legacy of Social and Environmental Injustice

The Role of Online Social Support in Supporting and Educating Parents of Young Children with Special Health Care Needs: A Scoping Review

Associate Professor

Dr. Watson is interested in behavioral health, health disparities, homelessness, dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices, qualitative and mixed methods.

The Meaning of Recovery from Co-occurring Disorder: Views from Consumers and Staff Members Living and Working in Housing First Programming

Development and Testing of an Implementation Strategy for a Complex Housing Intervention: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

The Housing First Model (HFM) Fidelity Index: Designing and Testing a Tool for Measuring Integrity of Housing Programs that Serve Active Substance Users

Understanding the Critical Elements for Facilitating Consumer Change in Housing First Programming: A Case Study Approach

The Evolving Understanding of Recovery: What the Sociology of Mental Health has to Offer