Biography
Dr. Lara-Cinisomo's research focuses on addressing mental health disparities in women and mothers, particularly racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants, and military populations. Her research approach builds on a framework focused on psychosocial, cultural, structural and physiological factors. Specifically, she examines how contextual factors (e.g., culture, biology) are associated with poor mental health in her populations of interest. As such, she takes an integrated approach to understand mental health disparities in mothers and women. Recently, she completed several studies that examine associations between hormone function (i.e., cortisol and oxytocin) and perinatal depression in Latinas. Dr. Lara-Cinisomo also completed a novel study on the effects of mindfulness on the mental health of caregivers of veterans. Currently, she is conducting a multisite study on prenatal depression, diabetes, and disease management. Dr. Lara-Cinisomo is also exploring brain activation in the context of pain in postpartum women with and without depression.
Additional Campus Affiliations
Affiliate, Center for Social and Behavioral Science
Associate Professor, Kinesiology and Community Health
Associate Professor, Nutritional Sciences
Associate Professor, Women & Gender in Global Perspectives
Recent Publications
Fabusoro, O. K., Singleton, C. R., Teran-Garcia, M., & Lara-Cinisomo, S. (2023). Predictors of Food and Water Stockpiling During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Latinos and Non-Latino Black People. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 17, Article E447. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2023.74
Goyal, D., Rabemananjara, K. M., Lara-Cinisomo, S., & Le, H. N. (2023). Healthcare worker's understanding of perinatal depression and maternal mental health service needs in rural Kenya. Mental Health and Prevention, 29, Article 200260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2023.200260
Kwon, S., An, J., Lara-Cinisomo, S., Andrade, F. C. D., & Hernandez, R. (Accepted/In press). The influence of cultural values on mental health of informal Korean caregivers for older adults: a systematic review. Social Work in Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332985.2023.2202789
Lara-Cinisomo, S., Melesse, B., & Mendy, M. E. (Accepted/In press). Demographic and COVID-19-Related Factors Associated with Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms Among African American and Latina Women in a Midwestern State. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-022-01495-0
Phansikar, M., Gothe, N., Hernandez, R., Lara-Cinisomo, S., & Mullen, S. P. (Accepted/In press). Feasibility and impact of a remote moderate-intensity yoga intervention on stress and executive functioning in working adults: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Behavioral Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-022-00385-4