Expertise

Health Risk Behaviors, Health-Promoting Behaviors, Self-control, Stress

Biography

Dr. Melissa Auerbach earned her Master’s degree in Experimental Psychology in 2009 from Brooklyn College, and her Ph.D. in Social and Health Psychology in 2016 from Stony Brook University. Her doctoral training has prepared her for an academic career in Social Psychology, Health Psychology, and the interface between these two disciplines (e.g., application of social psychology theory to health problems). Her research focuses on conceptualization, measurement, and psychosocial contributors to unhealthful and healthful behaviors among populations vulnerable to health risks, such as pregnant women. She uses a variety of data analytic techniques in her work, including structural equation modeling, multi-level modeling, and factor analysis.

Selected Publications

• Auerbach, M.V., Nicoloro-SantaBarbara, J., Rosenthal, L., Kocis, C., Busso, C.,Weglarz, E., & Lobel, M. (2017). Psychometric Properties of the Prenatal Health Behavior Scale in Mid- and Late Pregnancy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 38, 143-151.
• Auerbach, M. V., & Lobel, M. (2017, In press). Failed control of health behavior. In K. Sweeny, & M. L. Robbins (Eds.), The Wiley Encyclopedia of Health Psychology: Volume II, The Social Bases of Health Behavior.
• Auerbach, M.V., Cannella, D., Lobel, M. (2014). Psychosocial correlates of health-promoting and health-impairing behaviors in pregnancy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 75, 299-304.
• Cannella, D., Auerbach, M.V., Lobel, M. (2013). Predicting birth outcomes: Together, mother and health care provider know best. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 35, 76-83.

Courses Taught

• Careers in Psychology
• Conducting Research in Psychology
• Quantitative Methods in Social Sciences
• Statistics in Psychology
• Self-Regulation in Health Behaviors