Current Research Projects
Pilot Testing a Self-Compassion Intervention to Reduce Lung Cancer Stigma
The goals of this study are to adapt the existing Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) psychosocial intervention to address anticipated delivery challenges and to seek preliminary efficacy of the adapted MSC intervention in reducing lung cancer stigma. This study funded by the National Cancer Institute (K99/R00-CA-256351; PI: Williamson).
Developing a Short Form of the Lung Cancer Stigma Inventory (LCSI)
This psychometric study uses social media targeted advertisement to recruit a national sample of patients diagnosed with lung cancer to complete validated questionnaires, including the 25-item LCSI. The primary goal of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of a shorter, 12-item version of the LCSI, which will reduce participant burden when completing the questionnaire.
Empathic Communication Skills Training to Reduce Lung Cancer Stigma
This clinical trial tests the effectiveness of empathic communication skills training for oncology care providers to improve quality of care and reduce stigma experienced by patients diagnosed with lung cancer. This study is a collaboration with Drs. Smita Banerjee and Jamie Ostroff at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and is funded by the National Cancer Institute (R01-CA-255522; MPIs: Banerjee/Ostroff).
Testing the Stress Buffering Effects of Self-Compassion on Social Disconnection
This study tests whether experimental manipulations of self-compassion can reduce transient feelings of social disconnectedness and produce stress-buffering effects on outcomes such as psychological distress and blood pressure reactivity.