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Research Overview
My research interests center on health behavior and health behavior change, with an emphasis on HIV-risk and obesity-related behaviors, as well as the role that emotion plays in these behaviors. I am currently working on an NRSA-funded research program involving the development and rigorous testing of an intervention designed to promote safer sexual behavior by addressing emotional, in addition to social-cognitive, determinants of these behaviors. Other research projects I am involved in include: applying the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model to microbicide adherence; performing a meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of physical activity interventions on the quality of life and physical fitness of cancer survivors; examining factors involved in daily reports of unprotected sex by HIV-positive individuals, including daily affect and alcohol consumption, as well as history of childhood sexual abuse; performing a meta-analysis to determine whether marijuana plays a role in risky sexual behavior; determining which emotions are involved in unprotected and protected sexual acts with various partners; exploring the relationship between mental and physical functioning and barriers to medication adherence; examining the validity of the stage of change algorithm for measuring sexual risk; and determining the role of emotion, in relation to traditional social-cognitive factors, in diet and exercise behaviors.
Education
Ph.D., University of Connecticut, expected 2009 (social psychology)
M.A., University of Connecticut, 2007(social psychology)
B.S., Carnegie Mellon University, 2004 (decision science)
Featured Publications
Amico, K.R., Konkle-Parker, D.J., Cornman, D.H., Barta, W., Ferrer, R., Norton, W., Trayling, C., Shuper, P., Fisher, J.D., & Fisher, W.A. (2007). Reasons for ART Non-Adherence in the Deep South: Adherence Needs of a Sample of HIV-positive Patients in Mississippi. AIDS Care, 19, 1210-1218.
Barta, W.D., Kiene, S.M., Tennen, H., Abu-Hasaballah, K.H., & Ferrer, R. (2007). An Idiographic Study of Inconsistent Condom Use Behavior of Persons Living with HIV. AIDS Care, 19, 1058-1064.
Barta, W., Portnoy, D., Kiene, S.M. Tennen, H., Abu-Hasaballah, K.S. & Ferrer, R. (in press, AIDS and Behavior). A Daily Process Investigation of Alcohol-Involved Sexual Risk Behavior Among Economically Disadvantaged Problem Drinkers Living with HIV/AIDS.
Ferrer, R.A., Amico, K.R., Bryan, A., Cornman, D.H., Fisher, J.D., Fisher, W.A., Kiene, S. (accepted pending revisions, Prevention Science). Accuracy of the stages of change algorithm: Sexual risk reported in the maintenance stage of change.
Barta, W.D., Ferrer, R.A., Kiene, S.M., Tennen, H, & Portnoy, D. (under review, Archives of Sexual Behavior). Childhood Sexual Abuse and Alcohol Use Prior to Sex: Do They Predict Unsafe Sex Acts with Seroconcordant and Serodiscordant Partners By Women Living with HIV/AIDS?
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