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RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research focuses primarily on health communication and the reduction of disparities in health. For example, a recent study used a longitudinal design to examine the efficacy of HIV/STD Intervention DVDs in which the race of the communicator was varied (Helion, Reddy, Kies, Morris, & Wilson, in press). I am beginning to expand my research to include prejudice and discrimination more generally.

CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING PROJECT

One of the main projects going on in the lab is a collaborative effort with theater faculty, communications faculty, and psychology faculty. The study aims to increase cervical cancer screening follow-up for women who have had an abnormal cervical screen (Pap test) result. In this study, we will determine whether hearing DVD messages from similar women who have gone through having an abnormal Pap test is more beneficial than just hearing an informational DVD. We will record how many women return for their follow-up tests after viewing the narrative DVD and compare that to the number who return after viewing the informational DVD.

This research is currently in its early stages. We are creating the surveys that will be sent to women with the DVDs, we are creating the narrative messages using real stories from women who have had abnormal Pap tests, and we are training the actresses who will be featured in the DVDs. We have over 15 people involved in this study: four professors and a whole group of students interested in psychology research, theater, directing, and video editing.

Katelyn, Ashley, Peter, Jessica, Rabecca, and Charlie at a kick-off party for the cervical cancer screening study

 

The actresses and others involved with the cervical cancer screening project get tips from Charlie in the Bradley theater. Charlie gave some great tips on how to make the narrative messages on the cervical screening DVDs realistic.

 

 

PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

Helion, A.M., Reddy, D.M., Kies, A.L., Morris, D.R., and Wilson, C.M. (in press). Influence of Communicators' Race on the Efficacy of an HIV/STD Intervention among African American and Caucasian College Students', Public Health Nursing.