LISA G. ASPINWALL portrait
  • Professor, Psychology Department
  • Member, Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program, Huntsman Cancer Institute
801-587-9021

Publications

  • Aspinwall, L.G. & C.M. Shivers/C. Sanderson & R. Totton (Eds) (2023). Teaching anti-ableism: A practical guide to creating friendly and flexible courses without compromising rigor.. Vol. Teaching Social Psychology, Edward Elgar Publishing. Accepted, 12/2023.
  • Wu, Y. P. & Stump, T. K., Hay, J. L., Aspinwall, L. G., Boucher, K. B., Deboeck, P., Grossman, D., Mooney, K., Leachman, S. A., Smith, K. R., Wankier, A. P., Brady, H. L., Hancock, S. E., Parsons, B. G., & Tercyak, K. P. (2023). The Family Lifestyles, Actions and Risk Education (FLARE) Study: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial of a sun protection intervention for children of melanoma survivors. Contemporary Clinical Trials. Vol. 131. Published, 07/2023.
  • Johnson, K. T., Williams, P. G., Aspinwall, L. G., & Curtis, B. J. (2022). Resilience to distress-related sleep disturbance: Examination of early pandemic coping and affect. [Special Issue: Development of Resilience in Response to Stress and Truama]. Health Psychology, 41, 291-300. Electronic publication February 24, 2022. Published, 02/24/2022.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Drummond, D. M., Stump, T. K., Kohlmann, W. K., & Leachman, S. A. (2022). Interactive beliefs about genes and behavior predict improved sun protection following melanoma genetic counseling. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 56, 816-829. Electronic publication February 18, 2022. Published, 02/18/2022.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2022, January 28). Managing computer work with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Disability Advocacy & Research Network (DARN) blog, https://darndisability.org/blog/. Published, 01/28/2022.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Taber, J. M., Kolhmann, W., & Bautista, L. B. (2022). Psychological aspects of hereditary cancer risk counseling and genetic testing: Toward an expanded and more equitable view. In J. Steel & B. Carr (Eds.), Psychological Aspects of Cancer, 2e, pp. 359-398. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. Published, 01/28/2022.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2022, January 9). Meet DARN co-founder Professor Lisa Aspinwall. Disability Advocacy & Research Network (DARN) blog, https://darndisability.org/blog/. Published, 01/09/2022.
  • Bogart, K., Aspinwall, L. G., & Ghadimi, A. (2021). Why do there seem to be so few disabled psychologists? Psychology Today blog, Posted September 28, 2021. Published, 09/28/2021.
    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/disability...
  • Taber, J.M., Aspinwall, L. G., Drummond, D., Stump, T. K., Kohlmann, W., Champine, M., Cassidy, P. B., & Leachman, S. A. (2021). Priority of risk (but not perceived magnitude) predicts improved sun-protection behavior following genetic counseling. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 55(1), 24-40. Electronic publication, May 16, 2020. doi: 10.1093/abm/kaaa028. Published, 04/08/2021.
  • Wu, Y. P., Boucher, K., Hu, N., Hay, J., Kohlmann, W., Aspinwall, L. G., Bowen, D. J., Parsons, B. G., Nagelhout, E. S., Grossman, D., Mooney, K., Leachman, S. A., & Tercyak, K. P. (2020). A pilot study of a telehealth family focused melanoma preventive intervention for children with a family history of melanoma. Psycho-Oncology, 29, 148-155. Published, 02/21/2020.
  • Wu, Y. P., Aspinwall, L. G., Parsons, B., Stump, T. K., Nottingham, K., Kohlmann, W., Champine, M., Cassidy, P., & Leachman, S. A. (2020). Parent and child perspectives on family interactions related to melanoma risk and prevention after CDKN2A/p16 testing of minor children. Journal of Community Genetics. Electronic publication, January 18, 2020. doi: 10.1007/s12687-020-00453-9. Published, 01/18/2020.
  • Stump, T. K., Aspinwll, L. G., Drummond, D., Taber, J. M., Kohlmann, W., Champine, M., Cassidy, P. B., Petrie, T., & Leachman, S. A. (2020). CDKN2A testing and genetic counseling promote reductions in objectively measured sun exposure one year later. Genetics in Medicine. Electronic publication, August 2, 2019, 22(1): 26-34. PMID: 31371819. doi:1038/s41436-019-0608-9. Published, 01/2020.
  • Wu, Y. P., Parsons, B. G., Aspinwall, L. G., Hay, J. L., Boucher, K. M., Caputo, H., Mooney, R., Grossman, D., & Leachman, S. A. (2019). Parent and child perspectives on perceived barriers to child sun protection and their association with sun protection strategies among children of melanoma survivors. Pediatric Dermatology, 36, 317-323. Published, 02/04/2019.
  • Parsons, B. G., Hay, J. L., Aspinwall, L. G., Zaugg, K., Zhu, A., Mooney, R., Klein, S. Z., Grossman, D., Leachman, S. A., & Wu, Y. P. (2019). Understanding skin screening practices among children at elevated risk for melanoma to inform interventions for melanoma prevention and control. Journal of Cancer Education, 1-6. Electronic publication, February 15, 2019. doi: 10.1007/s13187-019-01489-3 . Published, 02/01/2019.
  • Stump, T. K., Aspinwall, L. G., Gray, E. L., Xu, S., Maganti, N., Leachman, S. A., Alshurafa, N., & Robinson, J. K. (2018). Daily Minutes of Sun Exposure (MUSE) Inventory: Measure description and comparisons to UV sensor and sun protection survey data. Preventive Medicine Reports. Electronic publication, July 24, 2018, doi: 10.10106/j.pmedr.2018.07.010. Published, 07/02/2018.
  • Wu, Y. P., Aspinwall, L. G., Nagelhout, E., Kohlmann, W., Kaphingst, K. A., Homberger, S., Perkins, R. D., Grossman, D., Harding, G., Cassidy, P., & Leachman, S. A. (2018). Development of an educational program integrating concepts of genetic risk and preventive strategies for children with a family history of melanoma. Journal of Cancer Education, 33(4), 774-781. Electronic publication, November 26, 2016. Published, 06/01/2018.
  • Wu, Y. P., Parsons, B. G., Mooney, R., Aspinwall, L. G., Cloyes, K., Hay, J. L., Kohlmann, W., Grossman, D., & Leachman, S. A. (2018). Barriers and facilitators to melanoma prevention and control behaviors among at-risk children. Journal of Community Health, 43(5), 993-1001. Electronic publication, April 6, 2018, doi:10.1007/s10900-018-0516-y. Published, 04/01/2018.
  • Wu, Y. P., Nagelhout, E., Aspinwall, L. G., Boucher, K. N., Parsons, B. G., Kohlmann, W., Kaphingst, K. A., Homburger, S., Perkins, R. D., Grossman, D., Harding, G., & Leachman, S. A. (2018, March). A novel educational intervention targeting melanoma risk and prevention knowledge among children with a familial risk for melanoma. Patient Education and Counseling, 101(3), 452-459. Published, 03/05/2018.
  • Stump, T. K., Aspinwall, L. G., Kohlmann, W., Champine, M., Hauglid, J., Wu, Y., Scott, E., Cassidy, P., & Leachman, S. A. (2018). Genetic test-reporting of melanoma risk in minors may improve sun protection without inducing distress. Journal of Genetic Counseling. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-017-0185-5. Published, 02/2018.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Stump, T. K., Taber, J. M., Drummond, D., Kohlmann, W., Champine, M., & Leachman, S. A. (2018). Genetic test reporting of CDKN2A provides informational and motivational benefits for managing melanoma risk. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 8(1), 29-43. Published, 01/2018.
  • Wu, Y. P., Aspinwall, L. G., Conn, B. M., Stump, T. K., Grahmann, B., & Leachman, S. A. (2016). A systematic review of interventions to improve adherence to melanoma preventive behaviors for individuals at elevated risk. Preventive Medicine, 88, 153-167. Published, 06/30/2016.
  • Brown, T. R., Tabery, J., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2016). Understanding validity in empirical legal research: The case for methodological pluralism in assessing the impact of science in court. Hastings Law Journal, 67(4), 1068-1085. Published, 05/06/2016.
  • Wu, Y. P., Aspinwall, L. G., Michaelis, T. C., Stump, T., Kohlmann, W. G., & Leachman, S. A. (2016). Discussion of photoprotection, screening, and risk behaviors with children and grandchildren after melanoma genetic testing. Journal of Community Genetics, 7, 21-31. doi: 10.100/s12687-015-0243-3. Electronic publication date, June 23, 2015. Published, 01/30/2016.
  • Taber, J. M., Aspinwall, L. G., Stump, T. K., Kohlmann, W., Champine, M., & Leachman, S. A. (2015). Genetic testing enhances understanding of risk information and acceptance of prevention recommendations compared to family history-based counseling alone. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 38, 740-753. Published, 09/18/2015.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Stump, T. K., Taber, J. M., Kohlmann, W., Leaf, S. L., & Leachman, S. A. (2015). Impact of melanoma genetic test reporting on perceived control over melanoma prevention. Journal of Behavioral Medicine 38, 754-765. Published, 03/31/2015.
  • Taber, J. M., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2015). Framing recommendations to promote prevention behaviors among people at high risk: A simulation study of responses to melanoma genetic test reporting. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 24, 771-782. Electronic publication date, January 14, 2015. Published, 01/14/2015.
  • Huynh, S., Stefanucci, J. K., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2014). Self-affirmation counters the effects of self-regulatory resource depletion on height perception. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 52, 96-100. Published, 05/2014.
  • Taber, J. M., Aspinwall, L. G., Heichman, K. A., & Kinney, A. Y. (2014). Preferences for blood-based colon cancer screening differ by race/ethnicity. American Journal of Health Behavior, 38, 351-361. Published, 04/2014.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Taber, J. M., Kohlmann, W., Leaf, S. L., & Leachman, S. A. (2014). Unaffected family members report improvements in daily routine sun-protection 2 years following melanoma genetic testing. Genetics in Medicine, 16, 846-853. Advance online publication April 24, 2014. Published, 04/2014.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Taber, J. M., Kohlmann, W., Leaf, S. L., & Leachman, S. A. (2014). Perceived risk following melanoma genetic testing: A 2-year prospective study distinguishing subjective estimates from recall. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 23, 421-437. Electronic publication date, December 10, 2013. Accepted, 01/07/2014.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., & Pengchit, W. (2013). Positive psychology. In M. D. Gellman & J. R. Turner (Eds.), Encyclopedia of behavioral medicine, Part 16, 1511-1517. New York: Springer. Published, 01/2013.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Taber, J. M., Kohlmann, W., & Leachman, S. A. (2013). Psychological aspects of hereditary cancer risk counseling and genetic testing. In B. I. Carr & J. Steel (Eds.), Psychological aspects of cancer: A guide to emotional and psychological consequences of cancer, their causes and their management (pp. 31-64). New York: Springer. Published, 01/2013.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Brown, T. R., & Tabery, J. (2012). the double-edged sword: Does biomechanism increase or decrease judges' sentencing of psychopathy? Science, 337, 846-849. Published, 08/2012.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Leaf, S. L., & Leachman, S. A. (2012). Meaning and agency in the context of genetic testing for familial cancer. In P.T.P. Wong (Ed.), The Human Quest for Meaning (2nd Edition, pp. 457-494). New York: Routledge. Published, 03/2012.
  • Kasparian, N. A., Bränström, R., Chang, Y., Affleck, P., Aspinwall, L. G., Tibben, A., . . . members of GenoMEL, the Melanoma Genetics Consortium. (2012). Skin examination behavior: The role of melanoma history, skin type, risk perceptions, and skin cancer-related worry in determining clinical and self-conducted skin examination. Archives of Dermatology. Electronic publication ahead of print, July 16, 2012. Published, 01/2012.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2011). Future-oriented thinking, proactive coping, and the management of potential threats to health and well-being. In S. Folkman (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Stress, Health and Coping, (pp. 334-365). New York: Oxford University Press. Published, 01/2011.
  • Branstrom, R., Kasparian, N. A., Chang, Y., Affleck, P., Tibben, A., Aspinwall, L. G., et al. (2010). Predictors of sun protection behaviors and severe sunburn in an international online study. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 19, 2199-2210. Accepted, 09/2010.
  • Bränström, R., Chang, Y., Kasparian, N., Affleck, P., Tibben, A., Aspinwall, L.G., et al. (2010). Melanoma Risk Factors, Risk Perceptions and Intentional Tanning: An Online Survey in Europe, Israel, the USA and Australia. European Journal of Cancer Prevention, 19, 216-226. Published, 07/2010.
  • Taber, J. M., Aspinwall, L. G., Kohlmann, W., Dow, R., & Leachman, S. A. (2010). Parental preferences for CDKN2A/p16 genetic testing of minors. Genetics in Medicine, 12, 823-838. Accepted, 07/2010.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., & Tedeschi, R.G. (2010). The value of Positive Psychology for Health Psychology: Progress and pitfalls in examining the relation of positive phenomena to health. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 39, 4-15. Published, 02/2010.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., & Tedeschi, R.G. (2010). Of babies and bathwater: A reply to Coyne and Tennen's views on positive psychology and health. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 39, 27-34. Accepted, 02/2010.
  • Leaf, S. L., Aspinwall, L. G., & Leachman, S. A. (2010). God and agency in the era of molecular medicine: Religious beliefs predict sun-protection behaviors following melanoma genetic test reporting. Archive for the Psychology of Religion, 32, 87-112. Published, 01/2010.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Leaf, S. L., Kohlmann, W., Dola, E. R., & Leachman, S. A. (2009). Patterns of photoprotection following CDKN2A/p16 genetic test reporting and counseling. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 60, 745-757. Published, 2009.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Leaf, S. L., Dola, E. R., Kohlmann, W., & Leachman, S. A. (2008). CDKN2A/p16 genetic test reporting improves early detection intentions and practices in high-risk melanoma families. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 17, 1510-1519. Published, 2008.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., Sechrist, G.B., & Jones, P. (2005). Expect the best and prepare for the worst: Anticipatory coping and preparations for Y2K. Motivation and Emotion, 29, 357-388. Published, 2005.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (2005). The psychology of future-oriented thinking: From achievement to proactive coping, adaptation, and aging. Motivation and Emotion, 29, 203-235. Published, 2005.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., & MacNamara, A. (2005). Taking positive changes seriously: Toward a positive psychology of cancer survivorship and resilience. Cancer, 104(11 Suppl), 2549-2556. Published, 2005.
  • Diamond, L. M., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2003). Integrating diverse developmental perspectives on emotion regulation. Motivation and Emotion, 27, 1-6. Published, 2003.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., & Staudinger, U. M. (2003). A psychology of human strengths: Some central issues of an emerging field. In L. G. Aspinwall & U. M. Staudinger (Eds.), A psychology of human strengths: Fundamental questions and future directions for a positive psychology (pp. 9-22). Washington, DC: APA Books. Published, 2003.
  • Diamond, L. M., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2003). Emotion regulation across the life span: An integrative perspective emphasizing self-regulation, positive affect, and dyadic processes. Motivation and Emotion, 27, 125-156. Published, 2003.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., & Staudinger, U. M. (Eds.) (2003). A psychology of human strengths: Fundamental questions and future directions for a positive psychology. Washington, DC: APA Books. Published, 2003.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (2002). Proactive coping, well-being, and health. In N.J. Smelser & P.B. Baltes (Eds.), The international encyclopedia of the social and behavioral sciences. Oxford, England: Elsevier. Published, 2002.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., Hill, D.L., & Leaf, S.L. (2002). Prospects, pitfalls, and plans: A proactive perspective on social comparison activity. European Review of Social Psychology, 12, 267-298. Published, 2002.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (2002). Happier and wiser: Optimism and positive affect promote careful realistic thinking and behavior. In C.R. Snyder & S. Lopez (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology (pp. 754-755). New York: Oxford. Published, 2002.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., & Leaf, S.L. (2002). In search of the unique aspects of hope: Pinning our hopes on positive emotions, future-oriented thinking, hard times, and other people. Psychological Inquiry, 13, 276-288. Published, 2002.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2001). Dealing with adversity: Self-regulation, coping, adaptation, and health. In A. Tesser & N. Schwarz (Eds.), Blackwell Handbook of Social Psychology: Intraindividual Processes (pp. 591-614). Malden, MA: Blackwell. (Reprinted in M.B. Brewer & M. Hewstone (Eds.), 2004, Applied social psychology [pp. 3-27]. Malden, MA: Blackwell). Published, 2001.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., Richter, L., & Hoffman, R.R. (2001). Understanding how optimism “works”: An examination of optimists’ adaptive moderation of belief and behavior. In E. C. Chang (Ed.), Optimism and pessimism: Theory, research, and practice (pp. 217-238). Washington: American Psychological Association. Published, 2001.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., & Brunhart, S.M. (2000). What I do know won’t hurt me: Optimism, attention to negative information, coping, and health. In J.E. Gillham (Ed.), The science of optimism and hope: Research essays in honor of Martin E.P. Seligman (pp. 162-200). Philadelphia: Templeton Foundation. Published, 2000.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., & Richter, L. (1999). Optimism and self-mastery predict more rapid disengagement from unsolvable tasks in the presence of alternatives. Motivation and Emotion, 23, 221-245. Published, 1999.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., & Duràn, R.E.F. (1999). Psychology applied to health. In A.M. Stec & D.A. Bernstein (Eds.), Psychology: Fields of Application (pp. 17-38). Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Published, 1999.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (1999). Persuasion for the purpose of cancer risk-reduction: Understanding responses to risk communications. Journal of the National Cancer Institute Monographs, Cancer Risk Communication: What We Know and What We Need to Learn, 25, 88-93. Published, 1999.
  • Reed, M.B., & Aspinwall, L.G. (1998). Self-affirmation reduces biased processing of health-risk information. Motivation and Emotion, 22, 99-132. Published, 1998.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (1998). Social comparison. In E. Blechman & K. Brownell (Eds.), Behavioral medicine and women: A comprehensive handbook (pp. 176-182). New York: Guilford. Published, 1998.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (1998). Rethinking the role of positive affect in self-regulation. Motivation and Emotion, 22, 1-32. Published, 1998.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (1997). Future-oriented aspects of social comparisons: A framework for studying health-related comparison activity. In B.P. Buunk & F.X. Gibbons (Eds.), Health, coping, and well-being: Perspectives from social comparison theory (pp. 125-165). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum. Published, 1997.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (1997). Where planning meets coping: Proactive coping and the detection and management of potential stressors. In S.L. Friedman & E.K. Scholnick (Eds.), The developmental psychology of planning: Why, how, and when do we plan? (pp. 285-320). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. Published, 1997.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., & Taylor, S.E. (1997). A stitch in time: Self-regulation and proactive coping. Psychological Bulletin, 121, 417-436. Published, 1997.
  • Taylor, S.E., & Aspinwall, L.G. (1996). Mediating and moderating processes in psychosocial stress: Appraisal, coping, resistance and vulnerability. In H.B. Kaplan (Ed.), Psychosocial stress: Perspectives on structure, theory, life-course, and methods (pp. 71-110). San Diego: Academic Press. Published, 1996.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., & Brunhart, S.M. (1996). Distinguishing optimism from denial: Optimistic beliefs predict attention to health threats. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 22, 993-1003. Published, 1996.
  • Taylor, S.E., Kemeny, M.E., Schneider, S.G., & Aspinwall, L.G. (1993). Coping with the threat of AIDS. In J.B. Pryor & G.D. Reeder (Eds.), The social psychology of HIV infection (pp. 305-332). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. Published, 1993.
  • Taylor, S.E., Aspinwall, L.G., Giuliano, T.A., Dakof, G.A., & Reardon, K. (1993). Storytelling and coping with stressful events. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 23, 703-733. Published, 1993.
  • Taylor, S.E., Aspinwall, L.G., & Giuliano, T.A. (1993). Emotions as psychological achievements. In S.M.H. Van Goozen, N.E. Van de Poll, & J.A. Sergeant (Eds.), Emotions: Essays on current issues in the field of emotion theory. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. Published, 1993.
  • Taylor, S.E., & Aspinwall, L.G. (1993). Coping with the stress of chronic illness. In L. Goldberger & S. Breznitz (Eds.), Handbook on stress (pp. 511-531). New York: Free Press. Published, 1993.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., & Taylor, S.E. (1993). The effects of social comparison direction, threat, and self-esteem on affect, self-evaluation, and expected success. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 64, 708-722. Published, 1993.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., & Taylor, S.E. (1992). Modeling cognitive adaptation: A longitudinal investigation of the impact of individual differences and coping on college adjustment and performance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 63, 989-1003. Published, 1992.
  • Taylor, S.E., Kemeny, M.E., Aspinwall, L.G., Schneider, S.G., Rodriguez, R., & Herbert, M. (1992). Optimism, coping, psychological distress, and high-risk sexual behavior among men at risk for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 63, 460-473. Published, 1992.
  • Taylor, S.E., Kemeny, M.E., Reed, G.M., & Aspinwall, L.G. (1991). Assault on the self: Positive illusions and adjustment to threatening events. In G.A. Goethals & J.A. Strauss (Eds.), The self: An interdisciplinary perspective (pp. 239-254). New York: Springer-Verlag. Published, 1991.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., Kemeny, M.E., Taylor, S.E., Schneider, S.G., & Dudley, J.P. (1991). Psychosocial predictors of gay men's AIDS risk-reduction behavior. Health Psychology, 10, 432-444. Published, 1991.
  • Taylor, S.E., & Aspinwall, L.G. (1990). Psychosocial aspects of chronic illness. Presented as a Master Lecture at the American Psychological Association annual meetings, New Orleans, LA (1989, August). Reprinted in P.T. Costa, Jr., & G.R. VandenBos (Eds.), Psychological aspects of serious illness: Chronic conditions, fatal disease, and clinical care (pp. 3-60). Washington, DC: APA. Published, 1990.
  • Taylor, S.E., Buunk, B.P., & Aspinwall, L.G. (1990). Social comparison, stress and coping. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 16, 74-89. Published, 1990.
  • Lepper, M.R., Aspinwall, L.G., Mumme, D.L., & Chabay, R.W. (1990). Self-perception and social perception processes in tutoring: Subtle social control strategies of expert tutors. In J.M. Olson & M.P. Zanna (Eds.) Self-inference and social inference: The Ontario Symposium, Vol. 6 (pp. 217-237). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. Published, 1990.
  • Taylor, S.E., Collins, R.L., Skokan, L.A., & Aspinwall, L.G. (1989). Maintaining positive illusions in the face of negative information: Getting the facts without letting them get to you. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 8, 114-129. Published, 1989.

Research Statement

To capitalize on the promise of personalized medicine, it is essential to understand how genetic test reporting influences people's beliefs about the likelihood of disease and the role they can play in managing their risk. My research program in social and health psychology combines research on self-regulation with research on future-oriented thinking and health cognitions to examine how people proactively anticipate, understand, manage and even prevent negative outcomes. For the past 17 years, I have examined these questions in the context of hereditary cancer genetic testing. Sancy Leachman (Dermatology, OHSU) and I jointly led the first major prospective study of the impact of melanoma genetic testing on prevention and screening behaviors and were Co-PIs of NCI R01CA158322-01 (Behavior, Risk Information, Genealogy & Health Trial, BRIGHT). The goal of BRIGHT was to identify whether there were any unique motivational and behavioral outcomes of genetic test reporting that could not be attributed to the genetic counseling that must ethically accompany it. Accordingly, compared outcomes of melanoma genetic counseling in a large cohort of unaffected members of melanoma-prone families between 1) members of CDKN2A/p16 families who received melanoma genetic counseling and test results, and 2) members of no-test control families at equivalently high familial risk who received identical counseling and management recommendations based on family history alone. Our primary outcomes included long-term adherence to sun-protection and screening behaviors, with objective measures of UVR exposure (dosimetry) and tanning (reflectance spectroscopy). We identified unique motivational and behavioral benefits that followed the receipt of positive genetic test results compared to equivalent counseling based on family history, and identified several cognitive and motivational mediators that may account for subsequent differences in prevention and screening. These results may prove useful in tailoring health-risk communications and management recommendations to members of high-risk families. 

Because childhood sun exposure is a major risk factor for melanoma, we have extended this work by examining the motivational and behavioral impacts of melanoma genetic testing in minor children (BRIGHT Kids) and developing and testing novel translational telehealth interventions to support melanoma survivors in the management of their children's risk (w/ Yelena Wu, NCI K07 Award, ACS Research Scholar Grant).

My current focus is on understanding people's mental models of genetic causation (e.g., genetic determinism) and whether they believe that personal behavior (or environmental exposure) has the potential to either amplify or reduce genetic risk for disease. In BRIGHT, participants endorsed both interactive ("amplifying") and subtractive ("reducing") beliefs, and both beliefs predicted sustained improvement in perceived control and sun-protection behavior. My new work examines these questions in the context of clinical genetic testing for contributors to obesity (i.e., hyperphagia) among bariatric patients. We will assess the impact of genetic explanations for obesity 1) on self-blame and stigma for patients and social network members, and 2) adherence following treatment for obesity (w/ Juliana Simonetti, Director of the University of Utah Comprehensive Weight Management Clinic, & Larissa McGarrity, Internal Medicine).

I am also working with two undergraduate Honors students (Inakhshmi Rashid and Diem Dang) to understand different ways that people may think about their family history of serious illness and how different kinds of traits, health risks, mannerisms, and phenotypes (visible appearance differences) are transmitted in families. We believe that there may be important cultural and intra-family differences in how people think about the transmission of  health risks and health benefits.

I continue to study multiple aspects of future-oriented thinking, including planning, prevention behavior, optimism and pessimism, and fatalism. Although we live in the present, much of our mental life is devoted to the anticipation and simulation of future outcomes as well as savoring or reinterpreting past outcomes. Understanding future-oriented thinking is important to a wide range of important outcomes, such as preventive health behavior and saving for retirement.

Research Keywords

  • Stigma, Discrimination, & Prejudice
  • Social cognition
  • Social Psychology
  • Self-regulation
  • Screening adherence
  • Risk communication
  • Psychological Control
  • Proactivity
  • Planning
  • Optimism
  • Obesity management
  • Obesity Prevention
  • Melanoma
  • Health behavior
  • Health Psychology
  • Health Disparities
  • Health Cognition
  • Goals
  • Genetics
  • Future-oriented thinking
  • Fatalism
  • Family Medical History
  • Emotion
  • Disease Prevention
  • Disability
  • Coping with physical illness, negative life events
  • Cancer Screening
  • Cancer Prevention and Control
  • Cancer Communication
  • Cancer Clinical Genetics Communication

Presentations

  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2023, November). Genetic testing for obesity: Impact on stigma, self-beliefs, & weight management. Talk presented at the monthly national meeting of the NHGRI Centers for Excellence in ELSI Research (CEER), virtual. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 11/2023.
  • Bautista, L. B., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2023, February). Understanding the Relation of Cancer Fatalism to Interest in Genetic Testing and Behavior Change Intentions among Diverse Respondents in the HINTS. Poster presented at the Social Psychology and Health Network preconference of the annual meetings of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Atlanta, GA. Poster, Presented, 02/2023.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2023, February). Working in health psychology and medicine: Strategies for publication and career development. Professional development workshop on interdisciplinary publishing presented at the annual meetings of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Atlanta, GA. Presentation, Presented, 02/2023.
  • Tang, Y., Aspinwall, L. G., & Bautista, L. B. (2023, February). "Behind the name": Interactive class activities to promote the visibility of underrepresented scholars in psychology courses. Talk presented at the 2023 Teaching preconference of the annual meetings of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Atlanta, GA. Presentation, Presented, 02/2023.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2022, April). Thinking and talking about climate change: Thoughts from social psychology. Panelist, Hinckley Forum, Constructive Dialogue for Grand Challenges: Lessons learned from climate change. Hinckley Institute of Politics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT. Panel, Presented, 04/18/2022.
  • Wang, K., Bogart, K., Aspinwall, L. G., & Myers, D. M. (2022, February). Navigating Disability in Academia. Professional development workshop presented at the annual meetings of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology [virtual]. Panel, Presented, 02/11/2022.
  • Chair, Mock Grant Panel, VPCAT Program. Panel, Presented, 10/26/2021.
  • Leachman, S. A., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2021, June). Evidence that sharing genetic test results with people at high risk of melanoma motivates behavior change. Invited talk presented at the Prevent Cancer Dialogue, Virtual. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 06/18/2021.
  • Wankier, A. P., Campbell, M. S., Nottingham, K., Parsons, B. G., Cunningham, B., Norman, K., Brady, H. L., Hay, J. L., Leachman, S. A., Aspinwall, L. G., Smith, K. R., Grossman, D., Boucher, K. M., Deboeck, P. R., Mooney, K., Bowen, D. J., Kaphingst, K. A., Tercyak, K. P., & Wu, Y. P. (2021, April). Recruitment for a remotely-delivered melanoma preventative intervention for melanoma survivors and their minor children. Research spotlight presented at the 42nd annual meeting of the society of Behavioral Medicine Virtual Conference. Poster, Presented, 04/16/2021.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (2020, October). Understanding the impact of genetic testing on prevention behavior. Invited talk presented at the Utah Genome Project Genome Rounds, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/2020.
  • Career and life advice. Electronic presentation to Alpha Chi Omega-Beta Nu sorority, University of Utah. Panel, Presented, 09/21/2020.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (2020, August). Leading a Research Team. Presentation to the VPCAT Curricular Course series conducted by the Vice President's Clinical and Translational Scholars Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT [electronic presentation]. Panel, Presented, 08/2020.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (2020, July). Understanding beliefs about genes, behavior, and health. Invited talk presented to the Health and Science for All national workshops for teachers conducted by the Genetic Science Learning Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT [electronic presentation]. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 07/2020.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2020, April). The evidence for sharing genetic test results with people at high risk of melanoma to motivate behavior change. Invited talk to be presented at the Prevent Cancer Dialogue, Washington, DC. [Canceled due to COVID 19 pandemic; rescheduled for June 2021 virtual conference]. Invited Talk/Keynote, Accepted, 04/10/2020.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2020, January). Snowballs and sunscreen: Interactive beliefs about genes and health predict behavioral risk reduction following melanoma genetic testing. Poster presented at the Center for Genomic Medicine Symposium, Salt Lake City, Utah. Poster, Presented, 01/17/2020.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (2020, January). Priority of risk (but not perceived magnitude of risk) predicts improved sun-protection behavior following genetic counseling for familial melanoma. Talk presented at the Center for Genomic Medicine Symposium, Salt Lake City, Utah. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 01/2020.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2019, December). Save your skin: Interactive beliefs about genes and health as predictors of behavioral risk reduction following melanoma genetic testing. Invited presentation at Columbia University conference, "Thinking morally about genetics and agency: Empirical and philosophical approaches," New York City. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 12/06/2019.
  • Wu, Y. P., Boucher, K., Hay, J. L., Kohlmann, W., Aspinwall, L. G., Bowen, D. J., Parsons, B. G., Nagelhout, E. S., Zhu, A., Grossman, D., Mooney, K., Leachman, S. A., & Tercyak, K. (2019). A family-focused intervention to promote use of sun protection among children of melanoma patients. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 53 (Suppl 1). Poster, Presented, 03/20/2019.
  • Drummond, D. M., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2019, February). The value of valued outdoor activities in prioritizing melanoma risk among high-risk individuals. Poster presented at the annual SPSP Health Preconference, Portland, OR. Poster, Presented, 02/28/2019.
  • Stump, T. K., Aspinwall, L. G., Xu, S., Maganti, N., & Robinson, J. K. (2018, May). The Daily Minutes of Unprotected Sun Exposure (MUSE) Inventory: Measure Description and Validation. Paper presented at the annual UV and Skin Cancer Prevention conference, Toronto, CA. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 05/2018.
  • Wu, Y. P., Parsons, B. G., Aspinwall, L. G., Hay, J. L., Caputo, H., Boucher, K., Mooney, R., Grossman, D., & Leachman, S. A. (2018). Barriers to and facilitators of melanoma preventive behaviors predict reported sun protection in children with familial risk. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Behavioral medicine, New Orleans, LA. Conference Paper, Presented, 04/2018.
  • Parsons, B. G., Zaugg, K., Ahu, A., Aspinwall, L. G., Mooney, R., Klein, S., Grossman, D., & Wu, Y. P. (2018). Skin Self-Exam Implementation and Association with Melanoma Preventive Behaviors among children at elevated Risk for Melanoma. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, New Orleans, LA. Poster, Presented, 04/2018.
  • Drummond, D., & Aspinwall, L. (2018, February). What makes reducing cancer risk a priority:? Understanding the factors that predict prioritization of melanoma risk among high-risk individuals. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Atlanta, GA. Poster, Presented, 03/03/2018.
  • Nagelhout, E. S., Grahamann-Parsons, B., Patil, A., Aspinwall, L. G., Boucher, K. M., Kohlmann, W., Kaphingst, K. A., Homburger, S., Perkins, R. D., Grossman, D., Harding, G., Leachman, S. A., & Wu, Y. P. (2017, November). Delivery of Novel Educational Intervention to Increase Knowledge and Perceived Risk for Melanoma among Children with Familial Risk for Melanoma. Poster presented at the annual conference of the American Public Health Association, Atlanta, GA. Poster, Presented, 11/2017.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Stump, T. K., Taber, J. M., Kohlmann, W., Champine, M., Drummond, D., Cassidy, P., & Leachman, S. A. (2017, June). Melanoma genetic testing to promote reductions in tanning: Results from the Utah BRIGHT Project. Poster presented at the annual meetings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Chicago, IL. Poster, Presented, 06/2017.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Stump, T. K., Taber, J. M., Kohlmann, W., Champine, M., Drummond, D., & Leachman, S. A. (2017, March). Does genetic testing matter? Results from the Utah BRIGHT Project. Presidential Symposium on Genomics and Behavior Change. Invited presentation to the Society of Behavioral Medicine, San Diego, CA. Presentation, Presented, 03/2017.
  • Stump, T. K., Aspinwall, L. G., Xu, S., Maganti, N., & Robinson, J. K. (2018, May). The Daily Minutes of Unprotected Sun Exposure (MUSE) Inventory: Measure Description and Validation. Paper to be presented at the annual UV and Skin Cancer Prevention conference, Toronto, CA. Conference Paper, Accepted, 02/2017.
  • Taber, J. M., Aspinwall, L. G., Scott, E. E., Kohlmann, W., Champine, M., & Leachman, S. A. (January, 2017). Changes in cognitive, affective, and motivational aspects of risk perceptions following genetic testing. Poster presented at the annual meetings of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, San Antonio, TX. Poster, Accepted, 01/02/2017.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., & Wu, Y. P. (2016, November). Fostering changes in multiple health behaviors: A discussion and examples from families at elevated risk for melanoma. Paper presented to the Consortium for Families and Health Research, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT. Conference Paper, Presented, 11/18/2016.
  • Kohlmann, W., Stump, T. K., Champine, M., Taber, J. M., Leachman, S. A., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2016, September). Long-term impact of genetic testing resporting on understanding and prioritization of risk information. Presented at the National Society of Genetic Counselors, Seattle, Washington. Presentation, Presented, 09/2016.
  • Plona, M-R., Champine, M., Kohlmann, W., Wu, Y.P., Stump, T., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2016, September). Melanoma risk genetic counseling in children: Engagement and emotional responses. Presented at the National Society for Genetic Counseling conference, Seattle, Washington. Presentation, Presented, 09/2016.
  • Wu Y.P., Aspinwall L.G., Grahmann, B., Mooney R., Zhao J, Kohlmann, W, and Leachman S. (2016). Barriers to melanoma preventive behaviors in high-risk children. Paper presented at the annual conference of the Utah Cancer Action Network, Salt Lake City, UT. Conference Paper, Presented, 06/10/2016.
  • Wu Y.P., Aspinwall L.G., Nagelhout, E., Kohlmann W., Kaphingst K., Grossman D., Cassidy P., & Leachman S. (2016). Interdisciplinary research collaborations to communicate genetic risk and melanoma preventive behaviors to high-risk children. Paper presented at the annual conference of the Society of Pediatric Psychology, Atlanta, GA. Conference Paper, Presented, 05/20/2016.
  • Stump, T.K., Aspinwall, L.G., Kohlmann, W., Champine, M., & Leachman, S.A. (2016, April). Genetic test-reporting and counseling for melanoma risk in minors: Increasing sun-protection without increasing distress. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Washington, DC. Conference Paper, Accepted, 04/22/2016.
  • Scott, E.E., Aspinwall, L.G. Taber, J.M., Stump, T.K., Kohlmann, W., Champine, M., & Leachman, S.A. (2016, April). Sunburn tendency predicts but does not moderate increased risk perception following melanoma genetic testing. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Washington, DC. Poster, Presented, 04/22/2016.
  • Wu, Y.P., Aspinwall, L.G., Grahmann, B., Mooney, R., Kohlmann, W., & Leachman S. (2016, March) Why do children at elevated risk for melanoma not engage in preventive behaviors? Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 50 (Suppl 1):S1-S335. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Washington DC. Poster, Presented, 04/22/2016.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2016, February). Genetic essentialism: Why thoughts about cause matter for medicine, law, education, & politics. Guest lecture for Medical Humanities course, University of Utah. Presentation, Presented, 02/04/2016.
  • Petrie, T. C., Stump, T. K., Aspinwall, L. G., Cassidy, P., Taber, J. M., Jacques, S., Tanner, P., Mckenzie, R., Liley, B., & Leachman, S. A. (2014, April). Mining dosimetry data: Sun exposure behaviors in hereditary melanoma participants. Paper presented at the NIWA UV Workshop, Auckland. Conference Paper, Presented, 04/22/2014.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2014, April). Genetic testing and the proactive management of familial melanoma risk. Inaugural Lecture, CHIP Lecture Series on Genomics and Health Behavior, presented at the Center for Health Intervention and Prevention at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 04/2014.
  • Stump, T. K., Aspinwall, L. G., Leachman, S. A., *Taber, J. M., & Edwards, R. (2013, June). Protection-Adjusted Length of Exposure (PALE): A New Self-Report Measure of UVR Exposure That Captures Multiple Modalities of Photoprotection. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Melanoma Genetics Consortium, Philadelphia, PA. Conference Paper, Presented, 06/2013.
  • Taber, J.M., Aspinwall, L.G., & Leachman, S.A. (2013, June). Does melanoma genetic test reporting improve adherence to screening guidelines 2 years later? Paper presented at the annual meetings of GenoMEL-- the Melanoma Genetics Consortium, Philadelphia, PA. Conference Paper, Presented, 06/2013.
  • Huynh, S., Stefanucci, J. K., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2013, January). Self-affirmation counters the effects of cognitive resource depletion on height perception. Poster presented at the annual meetings of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, New Orleans, LA. Poster, Presented, 01/2013.
  • Stump, T. K., Aspinwall, L. G., & Stoffel, R. L. (2013, January). Altering genetic disease risk: Who believes behavior matters? Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology, New Orleans, LA. Poster, Presented, 01/2013.
  • Taber, J.M. & Aspinwall, L.G. (2013, January). Beliefs about mood-enhancing benefits of sun exposure predict behavior among adults aged 18 to 88. Poster presented at the annual meetings of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, New Orleans, LA. Poster, Presented, 01/2013.
  • Kinney, A. Y., Birmingham, W., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2012). Patients’ and providers’ cognitions regarding genomic risk assessments for prostate cancer susceptibility and cancer prevention. To be presented at the annual meetings of the European Health Psychology Society, Prague. Presentation, Presented, 05/2012.
  • Taber, J. M., Aspinwall, L. G., Heichman, K. A., & Kinney, A. Y. (2012, March). Preferences for a methylated DNA blood test for colorectal cancer among a multiethnic sample of screened and unscreened adults. Poster presented at the annual meetings of the American Society of Preventive Oncology, Washington, DC. Poster, Presented, 03/2012.
  • Leachman, S. A., Cassidy, P., Grossman, D., Abdel-Malek, Z., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2011, November). Using genetic test results. 5th Meeting of Interdisciplinary Melanoma/Skin Cancer Centres, 2011 International Melanoma Congress, Tampa, FL. Presentation, Presented, 11/2011.
  • Kasparian, N. A., Branstrom, R., Chang, Y.-M., Affleck, P., Tibben, A., Aspinwall, L. G., Gruis, N. A., Newton-Bishop, J., Brandberg, Y., and members of GenoMEL, the Melanoma Genetics Consortium. Bridging continents and cultures to assess skin cancer-related behaviors: The role of melanoma history, risk perceptions and skin cancer-related worry in determining skin examination behavior. World Congress of Psych-Oncology, Antalya, Turkey, 18-20 October, 2011. Publication: Psycho-Oncology 2011, 20(Suppl. 2): 79. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 10/2011.
  • Tabery, J., Brown, T. R., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2011, October). Testing the Blades of the Double-Edged Sword, American Society for Bioethics and the humanities, Minneapolis, MN. Presentation, Presented, 10/2011.
  • Tabery, J., Brown, T. R., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2011, October). Testing the Blades of the Double-Edged Sword, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Boston, MA. Presentation, Presented, 10/2011.
  • Taber, J., Aspinwall, L. G., Heichman, K., & Kinney, A. (2011, March). Blood-based colorectal cancer screening: Eliciting attitudes and determining predictors of interest in a multiethnic sample. Poster presented at annual meetings of the American Society for Preventive Oncology, Las Vegas, NV. Poster, Presented, 03/2011.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2011, February). Pollyanna in the Lab: What have we learned from the systematic study of positive thinking and health? Invited presentation to the Staff Development Series for the University of Utah Counseling Center and Student Health Center, Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 02/2011.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., & Leachman, S. A. (2011, February). Genetic Testing and the Proactive Management of Familial Cancer risk. Presented to the External Advisory Board of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences program of the huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 02/2011.
  • Taber, J. M., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2011, January). Understanding the impact of message framing on prevention behaviors among high-risk individuals: A simulation study. Poster presented at the annual meetings of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology, San Antonio, TX. Poster, Presented, 01/2011.
  • Pengchit, W., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2011, January). Not too scared to think carefully: Optimism fosters processing of persuasive messages regarding health risk. Post presented at the annual meetings of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology, San Antonio, TX. Poster, Presented, 01/2011.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Taber, J. M., & Leachman, S. A. (2010, April). Genetic Testing and the Proactive Management of Familial Cancer Risk. Presented in Directions in Stress and Coping Research in Chronic Illness at the annual meetings of the Society for Behavioral Medicine, Seattle. Abstract available in Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 39 (Suppl), s126. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 04/2010.
  • Taber, J. M., Aspinwall, L. G., & Leachman, S. A. (2010, April). Predictors of sustained improvements in skin self-examination adherence in high-risk melanoma families following genetic test reporting. Presented in paper session "Don't Walk on the Sunny Side of the Street": Skin Cancer and Melanoma Risk at the annual meetings of the Society for Behavioral Medicine, Seattle. Abstract available in Annals of Behavioral medicine, 39 (Suppl), s210. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 04/2010.
  • Taber, J. M., Aspinwall, L. G., & Leachman, S. A. (2010, January). Risk underestimation following receipt of positive melanoma genetic test results predicts improvement in prevention and screening. Poster presented at the annual meetings of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology, Las Vegas, NV. Poster, Presented, 01/2010.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2009, November). Pollyanna in the Lab: What Have We Learned from the Systematic Study of Positive Thinking? Invited speaker, ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2009.
  • Leachman, S.A., Taber, J.M., Leaf, S., & Aspinwall, L.G. (2009, November). Melanoma genetic counseling and testing improve patient compliance and perceived control. Invited presentation, 3rd World Meeting of Interdisciplinary Melanoma/Skin Cancer Centers, Berlin, Germany. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2009.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2009, September). Genetic testing and the proactive management of familial cancer risk. Invited speaker, The State of Science In Stress and Coping: A Symposium in Honor of Susan Folkman, San Francisco, CA. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2009.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2008, March). Will the real Positive Psychology please stand up? Invited participant, The Great Debate: Positive psychology: How positive should we be? Presented at the annual meetings of the Society for Behavioral Medicine, San Diego. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2008.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2007, October). Keynote address, Affect, health cognitions, and the management of familial cancer risk. Presented at the Research Institute for Psychology & Health's international seminar New directions in emotion regulation and health, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2007.
  • Leaf, S. L., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2007, January). Positive mood and health risk: Feeling good boosts health cognitions and behavioral intentions related to skin cancer. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Memphis, TN. Poster, Presented, 2007.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2004, March). Affect, health cognitions, and the processing of health-risk information. Presentation for the Cancer Control and Population Sciences Seminar, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2004.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., & Leaf, S. L. (2004, June). A prospective study of psychological and behavioral responses to genetic testing for familial melanoma. Presented for the annual meeting of the Health Cognitions Working Group, National Cancer Institute, Snowbird, UT. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2004.
  • Campo, R. A., & Aspinwall, L. G. (2004, August). The effect of expected positive mood on the processing of failure feedback and physiological responses. Poster presented for annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Honolulu, HI. Poster, Presented, 2004.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (2003, September). Keynote address, Does positive thinking help or hurt? Critical issues in understanding the role of positive beliefs and emotions in managing adversity. Presented at the 17th European Health Psychology Society Conference, Kos, Greece. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2003.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., (2003, October). Is Freud dead everywhere but the English Department? No, but he should be. Panel presentation for The passionate mind: Emotion, cognition, and the construction of self at the Utah Symposium in Science and Literature, Salt Lake City, UT. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2003.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (2003, January). Toward a more positive psychology. Presented as discussant for preconference on Positive psychology and health at the annual meetings of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology in Universal City, CA. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2003.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., & Leaf, S. L. (2002, May). Something’s coming, something good: A self-regulatory approach to understanding optimism, positive affect, and other psychological resources. Presented for symposium on Optimism: Recent developments and new perspectives at the Fourth Dutch Conference on Psychology and Health, Kerkrade, the Netherlands. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 2002.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (2002, August). Understanding the psychological resources that fuel resilience, adaptation, and growth. Presented for symposium on Resilience and stressful life events at the annual meetings of the American Psychological Association in Chicago. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 2002.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., & Clark, A. (2002, June). Keynote address, Strength, adaptation, and change: Toward a positive psychology of cancer survivorship. Presented at Cancer survivorship: Resilience across the lifespan at a joint meeting of the National Cancer Institute’s Office of Cancer Survivorship and the American Cancer Society, Washington, DC. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2002.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (2002, May). A self-regulatory approach to understanding optimism, positive affect, and other psychological resources. Distinguished Lecture, Department of Psychology, University of Hamburg. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2002.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (2002, May). Keynote address, Toward a more positive psychology: Lessons for -- and from -- health psychology. Presented at the Fourth Dutch Conference on Psychology and Health, Kerkrade, the Netherlands. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2002.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (2001, November). Something’s coming, something good: A self-regulatory approach to understanding optimism, positive affect, and other psychological resources. Invited colloquium, Department of Psychology, University of Oregon. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2001.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (2001, April). Happier and wiser: Positive affect promotes careful attention to risk information. Invited paper for keynote integrative symposium on Heart and mind: Emotion, decision making, and risk (Gretchen Chapman, Chair). Presented at the annual meetings of the Eastern Psychological Association in Washington, DC. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2001.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (2001, March). Something's coming, something good: Bridging research on optimism, positive affect, and the self. Invited colloquium, Department of Psychology, Cornell University. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2001.
  • Aspinwall, L.G., & Sechrist, G. B (2000, June). Proactive coping, expectations, and performance: Learning from others' experiences. Paper presented for invited symposium on Current research in mental simulations at the annual meetings of the American Psychological Society in Miami. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2000.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (2000, July). Social comparison, self-regulation, and task performance: Timing is everything. Paper presented for invited symposium on Managing conceptions about self and other: Adaptive functions for action and self-regulation at the International Congress of Psychology in Stockholm, Sweden. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 2000.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Hill, D. L., & Reed, M. B. (1999, June). Mood as resource: Expected positive mood facilitates the processing of negative feedback about the self. Paper presented for symposium on Beneficial repercussions of positive emotions at the annual meetings of the American Psychological Society in Denver. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 1999.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1999, October). How does optimism “work”?: Positive beliefs and the upward spiral of knowledge, effective coping, and well-being. Invited colloquium, University of Pennsylvania. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 1999.
  • Aspinwall, L.G. (1999, Nov.). Affect, self-regulation, and responses to health-risk information. Invited presentation, Health Cognitions Meeting, Captiva Island, FL. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 1999.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1998, February). Optimism and attention to negative information: Implications for coping and health. Invited presentation for symposium on Understanding and cultivating hope at the Symposium on the Science and Optimism of Hope sponsored by the Templeton Foundation in Philadelphia. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 1998.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1998, December). Persuasion for the purpose of cancer risk reduction. Presented for National Cancer Institute workshop on Cancer risk communication: What we know and what we need to learn in Potomac, MD. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 1998.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1998, November). Understanding optimism: Resources, skills, coping, and health. Invited colloquium, Bucknell University. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 1998.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1997, June). Proactive coping and the detection and management of potential stressors. Paper presented for symposium on Reconsidering planning: Multiple psychological and contextual perspectives at the annual meetings of the Jean Piaget Society in Los Angeles. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 1997.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., Frazier, L. E., & Cooper, D. A. (1997, August). Being shown up vs. being shown how: When exposure to upward comparisons fosters superior performance. Paper presented for symposium on The self under threat in upward social comparison at the annual meetings of the American Psychological Association in Chicago. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 1997.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1997, April). Proactive coping and the detection and management of potential stressors. Invited colloquium, Gettysburg College. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 1997.
  • Reed, M. B. & Aspinwall, L. G. (1997, April). Positive affect and attention to self-relevant negative information. Paper presented for invited symposium on Positive beliefs and health at the annual meetings of the Eastern Psychological Association in Washington, DC. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 1997.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1996, July). Optimism and the process of appraising and responding to potential and actual threats. Paper presented for symposium on Detecting and responding to threat: Perspectives from clinical, personality and social psychology at the annual meetings of the American Psychological Society in San Francisco. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 1996.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., & Hill, D. L. (1996, June). Health cognitions and response modulation: Understanding health-related decision making. Invited paper, Second Annual Iowa Conference on Health Cognitions, Ames, IA. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 1996.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1996, April). Optimism and proactive coping: The process of detecting and remediating potential threats to well-being. Invited colloquium, Health Psychology Proseminar, CUNY Graduate Center. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 1996.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1996, March). Optimism and attention to threatening information: New evidence. Invited colloquium, George Washington University. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 1996.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1995, October). Dynamic aspects of social comparisons: The proactive management of potential stressors. Paper presented for symposium on Social comparison, stress and health: New developments in theory and research at the joint meetings of SESP/EAESP, Washington, DC. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 1995.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1995, May). Proactive coping and self-regulation. Italy-U.S.A. Bilateral Seminar in Social Psychology, Bertinoro, Italy. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 1995.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1994, July). What I do know won’t hurt me: Optimistic appraisals are responsive to new information. Paper presented for symposium on Biased appraisals of health threats: Optimism, denial, information processing and behavior at the annual meetings of the American Psychological Society in Washington, D.C. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 1994.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1994, August). What I do know won’t hurt me: Optimistic appraisals Are responsive to new information. Paper presented for symposium on Biases in the appraisal of health threats: Process and adaptiveness at the annual meetings of the American Psychological Association in Los Angeles. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 1994.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1994, April). Optimism and attention to threatening information. Invited colloquium, Department of Psychology, New York University. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 1994.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1994, October). Optimism and attention to threatening information. Invited colloquium, Department of Psychology, University of Virginia. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 1994.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., & Kissam, K.D. (1993, August). Understanding the effects of downward comparison in stressed populations. Paper presented for symposium on Social comparison and health at the American Psychological Association annual meetings in Toronto. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 1993.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1993, August). Optimism, self-regulation, and health: An experimental paradigm. Paper presented for symposium on Optimism, self-representation, and health: Recent theoretical developments at the American Psychological Association annual meetings in Toronto. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 1993.
  • Aspinwall, L. G., & Duràn, R. E. F. (1992, January). Personal and social sources of resilience in first-generation college students. Paper presented at the first annual Symposium on resiliency and women at the Spring Foundation meetings in Stanford, CA. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 1992.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1992, December). Optimism, self-regulation and health. Invited colloquium, Department of Psychology, The Johns Hopkins University. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 1992.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1991, March). Psychosocial predictors of gay men's AIDS risk-reduction behavior. Paper presented at the NIMH Research Training Directors' Meeting, Bethesda, MD. Conference Paper, Presented, 1991.
  • Aspinwall, L. G. (1991, August). Psychosocial predictors of AIDS risk-reduction behavior over time. Paper presented for symposium on Adapting to HIV infection: Psychological adjustment, behavior change, and health at the American Psychological Association annual meetings in San Francisco. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 1991.
  • Collins, B. E., & Aspinwall, L. G. (1989, May). Impression management in negotiations for safer sex. Paper presented for symposium on Negotiating safer sex: Personal and interpersonal issues at the Second Iowa Conference on Personal Relationships, Iowa City, IA. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 1989.
  • Taylor, S. E., Collins, R. L., Skokan, L. A., & Aspinwall, L. G. (1988, August). Illusions, reality, and adjustment in coping with victimizing events. Paper presented for symposium on Self-illusions: When are they adaptive? at the American Psychological Association annual meetings in Atlanta. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 1988.

Grants, Contracts & Research Gifts

  • American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grant Family-focused melanoma preventive intervention for children of survivors. PI: Yelena Wu. American Cancer Society, 01/01/2020 - 12/31/2023. Total project budget to date: $789,000.00
  • Translational Approaches to Melanoma Prevention in Children at High Genetic Risk. PI: Yelena Wu. Co-PI(s): Lisa G. Aspinwall. K07 application, 08/01/2015 - 07/31/2020. Total project budget to date: $703,452.00
  • Communication of Elevated Risk for Melanoma to Children and Adolescents. PI: Wendy Kohlmann, Doug Grossman, Cynthia Berg. Co-PI(s): Yelena Wu, Lisa G. Aspinwall. Huntsman Cancer Institute, 07/01/2014 - 06/30/2016. Total project budget to date: $29,994.00
  • BRIGHT Kids Study (Impact of Melanoma Genetic Testing on Health Cognitions and Prevention Behaviors on Minors, Ages 10-15). PI: Lisa G. Aspinwall. Co-PI(s): Pamela Cassidy, Wendy Kohlmann, Yelena Wu, Sancy A. Leachman. Cancer Control and Population Sciences Pilot Project, Huntsman Cancer Institute, 07/01/2013 - 06/30/2015. Total project budget to date: $40,080.00
  • Understanding multiple barriers to sustained adherence: Psychosocial determinants of underscreening and overscreening among high-risk familial melanoma patients. PI: Lisa G. Aspinwall. Co-PI(s): Sancy A. Leachman. Cancer Control and Population Sciences Pilot Project, HCI, 07/01/2009 - 06/30/2010. Total project budget to date: $10,500.00
  • Understanding multiple barriers to sustained adherence: Psychosocial determinants of underscreening and overscreening among high-risk familial melanoma patients. PI: Lisa G. Aspinwall. Co-PI(s): Sancy A. Leachman. Cancer Control and Population Sciences Pilot Project, HCI, 07/01/2008 - 06/30/2009. Total project budget to date: $29,587.00
  • A prospective longitudinal study of psychological and behavioral responses to the receipt of p16 genetic testing results. PI: Lisa G. Aspinwall. Co-PI(s): Sancy A. Leachman. Funding Incentive Seed Grant, Office of the Vice President for Research, University of Utah, 06/01/2005 - 05/30/2006. Total project budget to date: $30,500.00
  • Affect and the processing of negative information. PI: Lisa G. Aspinwall. National Science Foundation , 07/01/1998 - 06/30/2003. Total project budget to date: $223,051.00