Research Projects

Culture, Psychological Processes, & Treatment Adherence

The purpose of this research is to examine the influence of cultural beliefs about type 2 diabetes on psychological factors and treatment adherence among culturally diverse patients with type 2 diabetes. This research utilizes a recently validated cultural instrument that was developed based on the mixed-methods cultural research approach to instrument development. HbA1c and adherence to the diabetes diet and exercise plan are examined within the context of socio-structural factors, cultural beliefs, diabetes self-efficacy, and diabetes distress.

Healthcare Providers' Attributions, Emotions, and Responses to Patients with Poor Chronic Disease Management

Patient-provider relations are critical to the management of chronic diseases. Treatment regimens associated with managing chronic diseases can be complex and the social determinants of health can serve as significant barriers. This study examines the causal attributions providers make for patients' poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and their emotional reactions relevant to caring for such patients. The influence of social determinants of health on treatment adherence are explored and factors that may contribute to improved patient-provider relations are investigated.

Implicit Bias and Healthcare Interactions

Research has documented the negative impact of implicit bias in healthcare. The aim of this study is to implement and evaluate an implicit bias workshop for medical trainees designed to: a) enhance awareness concerning one's implicit biases, and; b) utilize evidence-based bias reduction strategies to ameliorate the impact of bias in healthcare interactions.

Food Insecurity and Psychological Factors among Children Admitted to a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

This study seeks to examine the role of food insecurity and psychological factors relevant to diabetes outcomes among children admitted to an academic pediatric intensive care unit in San Bernardino County. Participants include pediatric patients with Type 1 diabetes experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and their caregivers. Household food insecurity and parental self-efficacy are investigated in relation to type 1 diabetes outcomes.

Cognition (Attribution)- Emotion Process and Mindfulness
Understanding Interpersonal Relations & Conflict

The purpose of this study is to examine the relations among dispositional mindfulness and the attribution-emotion processes associated with interpersonal behavior in conflict situations. The use of violence and judgments of punishment are examined as a function of dispositional mindfulness, causal attributions for the behavior of others, and related emotions.

The Role of Cultural Beliefs, Expectations, and Emotions in Seeking Psychological Care

The aim of this research is to examine the influence of cultural beliefs about psychological care and psychological processes (outcome expectations and emotions) as determinants of mental health care utilization. The research was guided by the Integrative Model for the Study of Culture and Behavior and employs a scale that was recently developed in Chile using the mixed-methods cultural research approach to instrument development. This study was conducted in La Araucania region of Chile, which has high rates of poverty, depression, and is home to the largest indigenous population (Mapuche) in the country.

Cultural Values, Political Polarization, and Attribution-Emotion Processes in Voting Behavior

The aim of this project is to understand the role of "core American values" within the context of political polarization and their impact on voting behavior. A compromising bipartisan legislative effort is simulated to test hypotheses concerning the impact of participants' values and ideological polarization on attribution-emotion processes, social judgment of politicians, and subsequent voting decision.

Building a Diverse Pipeline Program in Primary Care Psychology

This line of work centers on building and supporting a diverse pipeline program in primary care psychology. Through funding from a HRSA grant (4P), we work to support the training and fiscal needs of clinical psychology students from diverse backgrounds who are interested in pursuing a career in primary care psychology and working with under-resourced and underserved patient populations.

A Culturally-Relevant Patient Activation Intervention for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate a culturally-relevant patient activation intervention for Latin American patients with type 2 diabetes. The culturally-relevant intervention will be implemented by Community Health Workers (CHWs) in San Bernardino County, which has some of the highest rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus.