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.

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

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)

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.

Thorne, C., Curbow, B., Oliver, M., Al-Ibrahim, M., McDiarmid, M. (2003). Terrorism Preparedness Training for Non-Clinical Hospital Workers: Empowering Them to Take Action. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 45, 333-337.

Tsai, G.*, Curbow, B., Heinberg, L. (2003). Sociocultural and Developmental Influences on Body Dissatisfaction and Disordered Eating Attitudes and Behaviors in Asian Women. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 191, 309-318.

Breysse, P.N., Weaver, V., Cadorette, M., Wiggs, L., Curbow, B., Stefaniak, A., Melius, J., Newman, L., Smith, H., Schwartz, B. (2002). Development of a medical examination program for former workers at a Department of Energy national laboratory. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 42, 443-454

Byrns, G.E.,** Agnew, J., & Curbow, B. (2002). Attributions, Stress, and Work-Related Low Back Pain. Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 17, 752-764.

Byrns, G.E.,** Agnew, J., & Curbow, B. (2002). A New Direction in Low Back Pain Research. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, 63, 55-61.

Klassen, A., Hall, A.G., Saksvig, B., Curbow, B., & Klassen, D.K. (2002). The Relationship Between Patients' Perspectives on Disadvantage and Discrimination and Listing for Kidney Transplant. American Journal of Public Health, 92, 811-817.

Klassen, A., Smith, A.L.M., Meissner, H.I., Zabora, J., Curbow, B., & Mandelblatt, J. (2002). If We Gave Away Mammograms, Who Would Get Them? A Neighborhood Evaluation of a No Cost Breast Cancer Screening Program. Preventive Medicine, 34, 13-21.

Laube, B., Curbow, B., Costello, R. & Fitzgerald, S. (2002). A Pilot Study Examining the Relationship Between Stress and Morning Cortisol Levels in Asthmatic Women. Respiratory Medicine, 96, 823-828.

Bowie, J.,* Curbow, B., LaVeist, T., Fitzgerald, S., & Pargament, K. (2001). The Relationship Between Religious Coping Style and Anxiety over Breast Cancer in African American Women. Journal of Religion and Health, 40, 411-422. Tsai, G.* & Curbow, B. (2001). The Development of the Taiwanese Ethnic Identity Scale: A Derived Etic Approach. Journal of Immigrant Health, 3, 199-212.

Zabora, J.,* BrintzenhofeSzoc, K., Curbow, B., Hooker, C., Piantadosi, S. (2001). The Prevalence of Psychological Distress by Cancer Site. Journal of Psycho-Oncology, 10, 19-28.

Zabora, J.,* BrintzenhofeSzoc, K., Jacobsen, P., Curbow, B., Piantadosi, S., Hooker, C., Owens, A., & Derogatis, L. (2001). First Application of a New Psychosocial Screening Instrument for Use with Cancer Patients. Psychosomatics, 42, 241-246.

Curbow, B., Spratt, K., Ungaretti, T., McDonnell, K., & Breckler, S. (2000). Development of the Child Care Worker Job Stress Inventory. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 15, 515-536.

Fogarty, LA,* Curbow, B, Wingard, JR, McDonnell, K, & Somerfield, MR. (1999). Can 40 seconds of compassion reduce patient anxiety? Journal of Clinical Oncology, 17, 371-379.

McCree, D.H.,* Ewart, C.K., Curbow, B, & Nickerson, K.J. (1999). The association between psychosocial factors and condom use self-efficacy in a college population of African American Women. Cancer Research Therapy and Control, 8, 245-260.

Curbow B, Khoury A & Weisman CS (1998). Provision of mental health services in women’s health centers. Women’s Health: Research on Gender, Behavior, and Policy, 4, 71-91.