Projects
Biopsychosocial Factors of Aging
Leveraging data generated by the Midlife in the United States Study (MIDUS), our group examines the critical social, psychological, and biological factors of healthy aging. Specifically:
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Examine the role of socioeconomic factors across the life course on disparities in healthy aging.
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Investigating the impact of social stratification based on differences in SES on psychological and biological factors implicated in aging
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Applying the complex interconnectedness of socioeconomic, psychological, and biological factors of aging in the context of specific age-related chronic diseases, especially chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Daily Stress Process and Daily Cognitive Performance Among Racially Diverse Breast Cancer Survivors: A Feasibility and Validation Study
Funding source: Geriatric Oncology Center of Excellence Pilot Grant, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
Available scales to measure daily stress and cognitive performance have generally been designed for the generally healthy population and have yet to be tested in racially diverse populations. Further, the daily diary method, which usually demands participants to complete one to two weeks of daily surveys, may pose a significant burden for cancer survivors. However, with the advancement of mobile technology, daily recording may have become easier—more accessible and with less burden which may encourage participation. The primary goal of this project is to evaluate the feasibility of a 14-day mobile daily diary study among racially diverse breast cancer survivors. Further, we will examine the validity and reliability of the daily stress and daily cognitive performance measures among breast cancer survivors. This pilot project will recruit 30 racially diverse breast cancer survivors (Asian, Black, Latina, and white; ages 40 and older; at least five years post-diagnosis) who are patients at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. The daily diary survey questions will be available in English, Spanish, and Chinese to accommodate the preferred language of the target participants
Financial Hardship, Daily Stress Process, and Inflammation Among Cancer Survivors
Funding source: Thomas Jefferson University-Drexel University Sydney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) Consortium Pilot Award
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Cancer survivors are burdened by higher financial hardship, that can lead to elevated inflammation, and in turn decrease treatment efficacy, intensify progression, and increase the recurrence risk. Financial hardship among cancer survivors can also disrupt their daily life, including higher exposure or more severe daily stressors. This pilot study will leverage data from the Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) study to test the association between financial hardship and elevated inflammation among cancer survivors and to explore if the daily stress process (i.e., daily stressor exposure, severity, diversity, reactivity, and diurnal cortisol rhythms) mediates this association. Findings from this pilot project will provide critical preliminary evidence regarding the importance of financial hardship and the daily stress process in the context of cancer survivorship. Those findings can include: 1) the association between financial hardship and inflammation among cancer survivors, 2) the association between financial hardship and daily stress process among cancer survivors, and 3) the mediating role of daily stress process in the association between financial hardship and inflammation among cancer survivors. We aim to utilize the findings as preliminary data for an NCI R01 submission to address cancer-related financial hardship to improve patient outcomes
