Research Areas
- Qualitative health psychology
- Psycho-oncology
- Multicultural approaches to community populations
Scientific Achievements
- Established collaborations with local Rio Grande Valley oncology foundations and organizations, including DHR Renaissance Foundation, Texas Oncology Foundation, Angeles sin Fronteras, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Beyond the Ribbon, Titi Tatas Foundation, Texas Healthcare Alliance Chamber, and UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center
- Preliminary qualitative findings on the impact of cancer on family functioning in the Rio Grande Valley will be presented at the Society for Qualitative Inquiry in Psychology on July 17–18, and a critical review paper is currently under peer review
Funding
RCMI Funding
- U54MD019970, NIH/NIMHD: Pilot Project Principal Investigator, “Evaluating the Benefits of a Brief-Systemic Family Intervention for Latino Families with a Cancer Patient: A Pilot Study”
Scientific Advance
Evaluating the Benefits of a Brief-Systemic Family Intervention for Latino Families with a Cancer Patient: A Pilot Study
Cancer affects the whole family, not just the person diagnosed. Family members—including children, spouses, and caregivers—may experience stress, anxiety, sadness, and other emotional challenges as they cope with the illness. At the same time, strong family support can help families work through difficult emotions, support one another, and adjust to changes caused by cancer. This exploratory study will examine how cancer affects Latino families in the Rio Grande Valley and use these findings to create and test a family-centered support program that is culturally appropriate for this community. The project will also provide hands-on training in qualitative research methods for 3 PhD students, 1 master's student, and 3 undergraduate students.
NIH/NIMHD #U54MD019970
