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Barbara
A.
Curbow
,
PhD

Professor
- Adjunct

Departmental Affiliations

Contact Info

University of Florida, P.O. Box 100175
Gainesville
Florida
32610
US        
410 955-7241

Research Interests

  • Health Policy and Management
  • psychosocial oncology
  • quality-of-life
  • decision making
  • breast cancer
  • psychological stress
  • occupational stress
  • child care
  • child care workers
  • risk communication
  • health behavior
  • attitudes and behavior
  • attitude change
Experiences & Accomplishments
Education
PhD
University of California, Santa Cruz
1984
MA
University of California, Santa Barbara
1977
Overview

My research interests are woven around four general themes. First, how do individuals make medical decisions? In particular, I am interested in the role of persuasive communication theories in explaining how people conceptualize risk information and respond to treatment information. Second, how do individuals respond to life stressors? I am interested in both major life events such as cancer and more chronic, ongoing events such as job stress. This broad theme can encompass quality-of-life research (e.g., which life domains are most affected by a specific medical event?) As well as work and family research (e.g., does stress at work spillover to family life?). Third, what are the social and psychological resources that are important to adaptation to life stressors? I have had a particular interest in self-related variables (e.g., self-esteem, self-concept, personal changes). Fourth, I am interested in the process of how people change their attitudes (including their self-attitudes), beliefs, and behaviors. This can include how they change due to intended events (such as a health communication campaign or information concerning treatment options) and to unintended events (such as an environmental hazard).


Supporting these research interests is a commitment to merging psychological theories and methods with public health problems; I see this task as my major reason for being on the faculty in a school of public health. I am committed to blending the fields of psychology and public health not only in my own research, but also by assisting my students and colleagues in any way possible. I believe that psychology is a core discipline of public health; it touches a broad array of issues and problems that involve human behavior.

Honors & Awards

Delta Omega National Honor Society (1998) The Johns Hopkins University, Department of Health Policy and Management Teaching Award (1996, 1997, 1998) The Johns Hopkins University, Department of The University of California Regents Fellowship (1979-1980) Phi Delta Kappa, Education Honor Society (1975)

Select Publications
  • Bowie, J.,* Curbow, B., LaVeist, T.A., Fitzgerald, S., & Zabora, J. (in press). "The Theory of Planned Behavior and repeat mammography." Journal of Psychosocial Oncology.

  • Curbow, B., Bowie, J., Garza, M., McDonnell, K. A., Scott, L. A., Coyne, C.A., & Chiappelli, T. (in press) Community-Based Cancer Screening Programs in Older Populations: Making Progress But Can We Do Better? Preventive Medicine.

  • Curbow, B., Fogarty, L., McDonnell, K., Chill, J. & Scott L. (2004). Can a Brief Video Intervention Improve Breast Cancer Clinical Trial Knowledge and Beliefs? Social Science and Medicine, 58, 1, 193-205.

  • Curbow, B., McDonnell, K., Spratt, K., Griffin, J., & Agnew, J. (2003). Development of the Work-Family Interface Scale. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 18, 310-330.

  • Laube, B.L., Curbow, B., Fitzgerald, S.T., & Spratt, K. (2003). The Acute Pulmonary Response to Allergen Exposure During Emotional Stress in Women with Asthma. European Respiratory Journal, 22, 613-618.