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Research
Current Projects:
Project Heart
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a typical health measure of
stress in cardiovascular disease; however, little research has
examined its usefulness in HIV populations. Additionally, recent
debates surrounding the use of cortisol as a traditional biological
maker for stress in people living with HIV also creates a need
for better ways to measure stress in HIV-positive populations.
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between
HRV and stress from HIV-related stigma in people living with HIV/AIDS.
An important goal for this study is to determine whether forgiveness
moderates the relationship between HIV stigma-related stress and HRV.
Should stigma or forgiveness play a significant role in HRV, this
study will make an important contribution to intervention research.
Forgiveness coping skills can be taught to HIV-positive people to
assist in the management of the stigma associated with living with
HIV/AIDS. Currently, this project is undergoing IRB approval.
Project Health
The purpose of this study is to inventory medical conditions and
health behaviors that impact the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgendered (LGBT) communities of the Dallas Metroplex area.
Additionally, we are assessing psychosocial factors, such as social
support, stress, and coping to gain a better understanding of the
diverse LGBT communities. Our study is designed to build onto
the existing LGBT literature by examining health-related behaviors
(e.g., obesity and smoking) and risk factors associated with cancers
(i.e. lung, breast, cervical, testicular, anal, and non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma), coronary vascular disease (hypertension, atherosclerosis,
and peripheral vascular disease) and chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. Additionally, we are examining discrimination in
healthcare settings for LGBT peoples, which may lead to negative
experiences and hostility toward healthcare providers, and the role
of disclosure as a risk factor for poor health outcomes.
Ultimately, our research will identify the basic healthcare needs
for the different LGBT communities and potential barriers that may
be deterring the different communities from obtaining optimal care.
Currently, this project has IRB approval and participant recruitment
and data collection are underway.
Completed Research Projects:
Project Forgive
Previous research completed at the UNT Center for Psychosocial
Health Research identified a statistically significant relationship between
specific forms of stress (HIV-related stigma), and coping strategies
(forgiveness) with the outcome variables of depression, perceived
stress, QOL, adherence to HIV medications and risky sexual behavior.
Project Forgive was conceptualized from those results and is unique
in that it draws on previous intervention research that focuses on
“forgiveness” as an effective coping strategy for health-related
problems, and now applies it to HIV+ populations. The purpose of
this randomized clinical trial is to develop and pilot a secondary
prevention intervention that targets depression, stress, quality of
life and risky behaviors in HIV+ women. Lazarus and Folkman’s
deficit model of stress and coping argues that stress and subsequent
unhealthy-related behaviors are a result of a deficit in coping
resources available to the individual. By teaching cognitive
behavioral forgiveness skills, we will potentially offset deficits
specific to HIV+ adults by enhancing the coping resources available
to them. Specific goals of the study include: decreasing depression
related to HIV+ status, reducing feelings of anger toward HIV+
status, increasing the use of forgiveness as a general
problem-solving strategy, and improving the participant’s
psychological, emotional, and spiritual functioning. Currently, this
project has IRB approval and presentations and publications are underway.
Project Cope
The purpose of this survey-based study is to
identify whether certain life stressors cause individuals to use
particular coping strategies. Project cope seeks to identify the
relationship among all types of unsupportive social interactions
(blaming, minimizing, distancing, bumbling) and the use of
maladaptive coping mechanisms. Specifically, our study seeks to
examine coping styles associated with specific stressors as
potential mediators of the relationship between unsupportive social
interactions and adjustment. We hypothesize that the unsupportive
social interactions (that result from an individual’s most recent
negative life event) will be associated with depression and
self-reported physical symptoms in individuals. Examining these
variables and relationships in an undergraduate population will
provide a foundation for future research in this area, particularly
the development of interventions that manipulate various
psychosocial variables to improve coping for people in stressful
situations. Project Cope collects cross-sectional correlational
data that will help future studies examine similar relationships
between stressors, unsupportive social support, and coping
strategies in specific disease populations. Currently, this project
has IRB approval and presentations and publications are underway.
Growing Up Positive
Although the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that
13,125 people under the age of 25 are living with HIV/AIDS in the
United States, the focus of current research on the development of
interventions to reduce stress and increase coping and quality of
life in people living with HIV/AIDS is limited primarily to adults.
This pilot study is the first step in the development of a
psychosocial intervention to increase positive health related
behaviors, reduce risky behaviors and improve overall physical and
mental health in HIV+ adolescents. Through GUP (Growing Up
Positive), we will be collecting data that will demonstrate how
psychosocial stressors are associated with health behaviors in HIV+
adolescents (between the ages of 15 and 24), with a long-term goal
of using the data to develop an intervention for HIV+ adolescents.
Data will be collected both qualitatively, through one-on-one
interviews and focus groups, and quantitatively, through the
administering of surveys; each will concentrate on prevalent
stressors (e.g., HIV-related stigma, disclosure concerns,
HIV-related symptoms), coping mechanisms (e.g., substance use,
social support), and outcome (e.g., medication adherence,
depression, anxiety). Research in this population is important
because adolescence is a time when an individual shapes his/her
identity through behavioral experimentation, risk taking, and
becoming independent. The average adolescent struggles in dealing
with issues such as dating, sexual activity, intimacy, career paths,
and experimentation with drugs and alcohol; all these issues can be
overwhelming, and are further compounded for adolescents living with
HIV/AIDS.
Project CAM
Although the advent of antiretroviral medications has extended
the life expectancies of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLH), the
medications come with additional noxious side-effects. To counter
the side effects of these medications, many PLH report the use of
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies and
treatments to supplement their mainstream medical regimes.
Consequently, Project CAM was developed in order to expand the
knowledge base regarding CAM usage in HIV+ adults and focus on
improving health-care management and quality of life in PLH. Project
CAM assessed the experience of CAM usage among HIV+ adults in the
Dallas/Fort Worth area and featured four structured focus groups.
Each focus group consisted of 10 people (five males and five
females). The focus group discussions were centered on discovering
the many facets of the participants’ CAM usage, such as the benefits
and setbacks of CAM. Following the focus groups, participants
completed surveys consisting of specific questions about personal
CAM use, health-related behaviors, and psychosocial variables. The
data collection phase for this project has ended and data analysis
is underway. Presentations and publications are being submitted with
the information from this project.
Primary Prevention: Sexual Behavior Among College
Students
In terms of preventing the spread of HIV, there are two main
approaches to HIV education and prevention. While primary prevention
focuses on educating people about various risky behaviors and aims
to reduce the transmission of HIV, secondary prevention aims to keep
a person who is currently living with HIV as healthy as possible.
This study focused on primary prevention and examined the
psychosocial factors and behaviors that predict risky sexual
behaviors in a large sample (n > 600) of undergraduate students at
the University of North Texas. The purpose of this study was to
determine what factors influence risky sexual behaviors in young
adults; in doing so, researchers can formulate educational services
and appropriate programs to encourage individuals to engage in safer
sexual behaviors. Sexual interaction includes any sexually related
behaviors that may put an individual at risk for a sexually
transmitted disease. The data collection phase for this project has
ended and data analysis is underway. Presentations and publications
are being submitted with the information from this project.
Project Voices
HIV-related stigma, sometimes referred to as “the second epidemic”
in HIV, is often associated with health and health behaviors in
people living with HIV/AIDS. The purpose of Project Voices was to
learn about these associations and further understand how stigma
contributes to poor health outcomes and other health-related
behaviors. In addition, the study also provides an evaluation of the
experiences of PLH as it relates to overall psychosocial health.
Project Voices is survey-based and covers a variety of topics and
issues, including: medical care, substance use, coping resources,
risky behaviors, acculturation, social support, and perceived
stress. Findings from this study will be used to develop
interventions for people living with HIV/AIDS to improve their
coping skills and quality of life. Project Voices included a total
of 280 participants (140 male and 140 female) of various ethnicities
and backgrounds. The data collection phase for this project has
ended and data analysis is underway. Presentations and publications
are being submitted with the information from this project.
Future Research Projects:
Project Images
Research that explores body image among men is very limited,
particularly among men of different ethnicities or HIV statuses.
Project Images aims to focus on this generally unexplored research
topic, as well as examine how body image is related to HIV-related
risk behaviors. The results of this study will help to shed light on
the ways in which body image may differ among men of different
ethnic groups and among those who are HIV+ versus those who are
HIV-. In addition, examining the ways in which body image may affect
HIV-related risk behaviors among men from these groups will aid in
the development of more specific primary and secondary prevention
programs. We plan on collecting data from men in the Dallas/Fort
Worth/Denton area. Currently, this project is in the
conceptualization phase.
Informal Caregiving Experiences of People Caring for Children with
HIV/AIDS
For many Sub-Saharan African countries, a lack of adequate resources
and health care is of immense concern. Togo, located in West Africa,
is one such country that is in dire need. In Togo, informal
caregiving is prevalent in families affected by the AIDS epidemic.
That is where Dr. Ami R. Moore, an assistant professor in Sociology
and member of our Center, comes into play. Dr. Moore received a
Fulbright AIDS and AIDS-related Research Award and conducted a study
on the Informal Caregiving Experiences of People Caring for Children
with HIV/AIDS in Togo until December 2006. Her experiences with
caregivers in Togo will be utilized to gain a deeper understanding
of the impact of informal caregiving on the caregiver, thereby
aiding AIDS service organizations and policy makers in their pursuit
of improving the lives of caregivers. Currently, this project is in
the data analysis phase.
Women and Ethnic Minority Barriers to Research
The incidence of HIV/AIDS among minorities, particularly minority
women, has increased steadily in the past decade. Therefore,
research in this particular population has become all the more
important; however, recruitment of minorities living with HIV is
rather difficult. The purpose of this project will be to identify
barriers involved in the recruitment of women and people of color
into research for HIV/AIDS. Barriers to obtaining research
participants in this population may include but are not limited to:
difficulty with finding transportation to and from the research
facility, inability to compensate for time lost due to research
participation, inability to find childcare, language barriers, trust
issues, and the stigmatic implications of HIV/AIDS in various
cultures. Appropriate instruments have been identified that will
allow the design of a study in which barriers to research
participation by minorities, particularly women, can be assessed.
Currently, this project is in the conceptualization phase.
Current Manuscripts in Progress
(Student researchers in
red)
Logan, M., Vosvick, M., Chng, C. L.,
& Hill, J. (2009). Hope and Symptom Load: Correlates of meaning-in-life for HIV-Positive Adults. Accepted American Public Health Association (APHA).
Falsetta, A., Vosvick, M., Chng, C. L. (2009). Correlates of Stress in HIV+ Individuals: Stigma, Avoidence, & Depression. Accepted American Psychological Association (APA).
Steinberg, T., Vosvick, M. (2009). Ethnic Identity in HIV+ Adults: Optimism, Ethnicity, Employment, Spirituality/Religiosity, & Years of Infectivity. Accepted American Psychological Association (APA).
Ridings, J., Vosvick, M., Chng, C. L., & Catalano, D. (2009). Negative Self Image, Internalized Anger, & Depression in HIV+ Adults. Accepted American Psychological Association (APA).
Lewis, K., Vosvick, M., & Martin, L. (2009). Parenting as a Potential Protective Factor Against Stress for HIV-Positive Adults. Accepted Association for Psychological Science (APS).
Haynes, M., Vosvick, M., & Chng, C. L. (2009). Appraisal Factors Associated with Depression in College Students. Accepted Association for Psychological Science (APS).
Ridings, J., Vosvick, M., Chng, C. L., & Catalano, D. (2009). Negative Self Image, Self Forgiveness, & Angry Feelings in HIV+ Individuals. Accepted Association for Psychological Science (APS).
Steinberg, T., Vosvick, M., & Smith, N. (2009). Condom Use in HIV+ Adults: Religiosity, Spirituality, and Optimism. Accepted Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Perales, M., & Vosvick, M. (2009). Mental Health Correlates in HIV+ Adults: Self-Efficacy, Control, & Loneliness. Accepted Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Deaton, K., Vosvick, M.,
& Hill, J. (2009). Gender Differences in Coping Strategies of HIV+ Adults: Trauma and Forgiveness. Accepted Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Hill, J., Vosvick, M.,
& Hua, W. (2009). Religious Coping, Self-Esteem, and Locus of Control: Mindfulness in an HIV+ Population. Accepted Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Lewis, A., Vosvick, M.,
& Chng, C.L. (2009). Mental Health and Cognitive Functioning in HIV + Adults: Anger, Stigma, and Health Distress. Accepted Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Wray, A., Vosvick, M.,
& Chng, C.L. (2009). Forgiveness in HIV+ Adults: Anger, Stigma,
and Health Distress. Accepted Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Abstract (PDF)
Poster (PDF)
Haynes, M., Chng,
C.L., Vosvick, M., & Ridings, J.(2008). Depression in College Students:
Perceived Stress, Loneliness, and Self-Esteem. Accepted to the
American Public Health Association (APHA).
Abstract (PDF)
Renwick, A., Vosvick, M., &
Chng, C.L. (2008). College Student Stress: Relationship Anxiety, Negative Affect,
Self-Esteem, and Morality-Conscience Guilt. Accepted to the American Psychological
Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Renwick, A.,
Vosvick, M., Chng, C.L., and Smith, N. (2008). Loneliness in
College Students: Coping, Insensitivity Received, and Self-Esteem.
Accepted to the American Psychological Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Hill, J. & Vosvick,
M. (2008). An Exploration of the Variance in Forgiveness in HIV+
Adults Through Stigma and Social Support. Accepted to the American
Psychological Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Martin, L. &
Vosvick, M. (2008). Guilt: One Story Behind Psychological and
Sexual Health. Accepted to the American Psychological Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Wetherington, S.,
Vosvick, M., & Chng, C.L. (2008). The Association Between
Self-Esteem, Social-Support, Loneliness, and Depressive Symptomology
Among College Students. Accepted to the American Psychological
Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Hua, W.Q. &
Vosvick, M. Perceptions of HIV-related Stigma: Locus of Control and
Trait Anxiety. Accepted to the American Psychological Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Renwick, A., Chng,
C.L., & Vosvick, M. (2008). Perceived Stress, Relationship
Avoidance, and Morality-Conscience Guilt in College Students.
Accepted to the Association for Psychological Science (APS).
Abstract (PDF)
Poster (PDF)
Hill, J.R. &
Vosvick, M.A. (2008). Maladaptive Coping, Stigma, and Forgiveness
in HIV+ Adults. Accepted to the Association for Psychological
Science (APS).
Abstract (PDF)
Poster (PDF)
Perales, M. &
Vosvick, M. (2008). Romantic Attachment Style, Self-Esteem, and
Forgiveness: Correlates of Depression in College Students. Accepted
to the Association for Psychological Science (APS).
Abstract (PDF)
Poster (PDF)
Hua, H.Q. &
Vosvick, M. (2008). Loneliness and Forgiveness as Correlates of
Stigma in HIV+ Women. Accepted to the Association for Psychological
Science (APS).
Abstract (PDF)
Poster (PDF)
Kamrudin, A.,
Vosvick, M., & Chng, C.L. (2008). Trauma History, Self-Esteem and
Perceived Stress: Correlates of Emotional Well-Being. Accepted to
the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Abstract (PDF)
Poster (PDF)
Ridings, J.,
Vosvick, M, Chng, C.L., & Smith, N. (2008). Stigma, Forgiveness and
Depression in HIV+ Women. Accepted to the Society of Behavioral
Medicine (SBM).
Abstract (PDF)
Poster (PDF)
Hill, J. &
Vosvick, M. (2008). Forgiveness and Loneliness in HIV+ Women:
Anxiety’s Correlates. Accepted to the Society of Behavioral
Medicine (SBM).
Abstract (PDF)
Poster (PDF)
Martin, L. &
Vosvick, M. (2008). The role of negative affect, loneliness, and
positive affect in quality of life. Accepted to the Society of
Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Abstract (PDF)
Poster (PDF)
Hua, W.Q. &
Vosvick, M. (2008). Spirituality, Forgiveness, and Stigma in HIV+
Women. Accepted to the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Abstract (PDF)
Poster (PDF)
Swanholm,
E., Vosvick, M., Chng, C.
(2007). Risky Sexual Behaviors in Students: Sexual Communication,
Depression, and Condom Use. Accepted to the
American Psychological Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Zapata,
A., Vosvick, M., Chng, C.
(2007). STD Attitudes, Gender Roles, Health Protective Sexual
Communication of Students. Accepted to the
American Psychological Association (APA).
Martin,
L., Vosvick, M., Smith, N.
(2007). Gender Differences in Coping and Quality of Life in HIV. Accepted to the
American Psychological Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Smith,
S., Vosvick, M., Chng, C., Smith, N.
(2007). Optimism, Self-Esteem, Drug Use and Perceived Stress in
College Students. Accepted to the
American Psychological Association (APA).
Doi, H.,
Vosvick, M., Chng, C. (2007). Social Support, Stress, and Acculturation: Predictors of
Forgiveness in HIV+ Adults. Accepted to the
American Psychological Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Volpone, S.., Vosvick, M., Chng, C., Smith, N.
(2007). Correlates of Knowledge/ Attitudes towards Lesbian, Gay, and
Bisexual Individuals. Accepted to the
American Psychological Association (APA)
Abstract (PDF)
Volpone, S., Vosvick, M. (2007).
Forgiveness as a predictor of depression in HIV+ Adults. Presented
at
the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Abstract (PDF)
Smith, S., Vosvick, M.
(2007). Optimism and Forgiveness in HIV+ Adults. Presented at the
Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Abstract (PDF)
Martin, L., Vosvick, M. (2007).
Self-Isolation or Distancing- Gender Differences in HIV-related
Coping and Depression. Presented at
the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Abstract (PDF)
Smith, S., Volpone, S., Vosvick, M.
(2007). Coping and forgiveness in HIV+ adults. Presented at the
Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Vosvick, M. & Volpone, S. (2006).
Self-efficacy, self-esteem and acupuncture use and their relationship
to mental health in HIV+ adults. Presented at the American
Psychological Association (APHA).
Abstract (PDF)
Vosvick, M., Stephen, E. & Chng, C.
(2006). Stigma, emotional support, and social stress: Correlates of
depression in HIV+ adults. Presented at the American Psychological
Association (APHA).
Abstract (PDF)
Vosvick, M. & Bridgewater, J. (2006).
Factors related to HAART adherence in CAM versus non-CAM users.
Presented at the American Psychological Association (APA).
Vosvick, M., Martin, L. A. & Smith, N.
(2006). Adaptive and Maladaptive Coping Strategies in Relation to
Depression and Perceived Stress in Individuals Living with HIV.
Presented at the American Psychological Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Hilborn, S., Vosvick, M. & Smith, N.
(2006). The effect of social support and depression on risky sexual
behavior for men living with HIV/AIDS. Presented at the American
Psychological Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Vosvick, M.,
Swanholm, E. (2006). Pessimism, Sexual
Trauma, and Personal Demographics: Covariates of Depression in College
Students. Presented at the American Psychological Association (APA).
Abstract
(PDF)
Vosvick, M., Moss., C. (2006).
Psychosocial Factors Associated with the Self-efficacy of Managing
HIV/AIDS. Presented at the American Psychological Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Vosvick, M., McKellroy, J. (2006).
Associations between Spirituality and Psychological Quality of Life in
People Living With HIV/AIDS. Presented at the American Psychological
Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF) Vosvick, M., Smith, S. (2006). Hope,
Optimism, and Quality of Life in HIV+ Adults. Presented at the
American Psychological Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Vosvick, M., Stephen, E., Chng, C.
(2006). Guilty conscience, social desirability, sexual attitudes and
depression in undergraduates. Presented at the American Psychological
Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Martin, L. A., Vosvick, M. & Smith, N.
(2006). HIV-related coping and quality of life. Presented at the
Texas Psychological Association (TPA).
Vosvick, M. & Chng, C. (2006). Life after a decade with HIV:
Religiosity, humor, and avoidance as coping strategems. Presented at
the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Scherbarth, A. & Vosvick, M. (2006).
Trauma, dispositional forgiveness and depression in people living
with HIV/AIDS. Presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Vosvick, M. & Harris, J. (2006).
Predictors of health protective sexual communication: Depression and
STD attitudes. Presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Abstract (PDF)
Thomas, C., Vosvick, M. & Henry, D.
(2005). HIV and depression: A comparison between CAM and non-CAM
users. Presented at the American Psychological Association (APA).
Vosvick, M., McGarvey, B., (2005). HIV
and QOL: Role of CAM and Ethnic Identity. Presented at the American
Psychological Association (APA).
Ranucci, M. B., Vosvick, M., &
Ballinger, J. (2005). Positive and
negative affect:
Differential influence of coping with HIV/AIDS. Presented at the
American Psychological Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Ballinger, J., Vosvick, M., &
Ranucci, M. B. (2005).
Complimentary/alternative medicine and perceived stress in people
living with HIV/AIDS. Presented at the American Psychological
Association (APA).
Abstract (PDF)
Saxon, L., Vosvick, M. & Smith, N. (2004). Correlates of
HIV-related stigma: Psychosocial and somatic factors. Presented at
the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Scherbarth, A., Vosvick, M. & Chng, C.
(2004). HIV-related stigma, forgiveness, and psychological quality
of life in a diverse population. Presented at the Society of
Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Schickedanz, B. S., Ranucci, M. B., &
Vosvick, M. (2005). Depression, stress, and disclosure's
relationship to negative self-image in people living with
HIV/AIDS. Presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Vosvick, M., Clay, S. & Moore, A.
(2005). Spirituality, self-esteem and depression in HIV+ adults who
use complementary and alternative medicine. Presented at the Society
of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Vosvick, M., Dickson, D. & Henry, D.
(2005). Sleep disturbance, stigma and pain in HIV+ adults who use
complementary and alternative medicine. Presented at the Society of
Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Ballinger, J., Vosvck, M., (2005).
Somatic symptoms, meditation practice and positive psychosocial
factors as correlates of stress in HIV+ adults who use complementary
and alternative medicine. Presented at the Society of Behavioral
Medicine (SBM).
Scherbarth, A. & Vosvick, M. (2004).
HIV-related stigma, forgiveness, and functional quality of life in a
diverse HIV+ population. Presented at the Society of Behavioral
Medicine (SBM).
Ranucci, M. B. and Vosvick, M. (2004).
Stigma, coping, pessimism, and symptom load: Covariates of
depression in men and women with HIV/AIDS. Presented at the Society
of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Vosvick, M., Chiapa, A. & Moore, A.
(2004). Ethnic identity and perception of stigma in people living
with HIV/AIDS. Presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
Ranucci, M. B., Chng,C., & Vosvick, M.
(2005). HIV/AIDS and stigma: A review of
empirical quantitative literature. Presented at the Society of
Behavioral Medicine (SBM).
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