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Alan J. Christensen

Professor

University Address

Department of Psychology
University of Iowa
11 Seashore Hall E
Iowa City, IA 52242-1407
(319) 335-3396
alan-christensen@uiowa.edu

Interests

Clinical health psychology
Adjustment to chronic illness
Medical regimen adherence
Psychological interventions in medical settings
Personality and health

Education

B.S.
University of Utah
Psychology, June, 1987
 
M.S.
University of Utah
Clinical Psychology, February, 1991
Thesis: Effects of Cynical Hostility and Self-Disclosure on Cardiovascular Response.
 
Ph.D.
University of Utah
Clinical Psychology, June, 1993
Dissertation: Psychological Adjustment and Adherence in End-Stage Renal Disease:  A Patient by Treatment Interactional Approach.
APA-approved Clinical Psychology Internship Program:  Portland V.A. Medical Center/Oregon Health Sciences University; September, 1992 - August, 1993

Academic and Professional Experience

1993 - 1997
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology
The University of Iowa
1997 - 2001
Associate Professor (Tenured)
Department of Psychology
The University of Iowa
2002 - present
Professor
Department of Psychology
Joint member of the Clinical Psychology and Personality and Social Psychology Training Programs
The University of Iowa
1998 - present
Director of Clinical Training
Department of Psychology
The University of Iowa
1999 - present
Associate Professor
Department of Internal Medicine
The University of Iowa College of Medicine
2002 - present
Professor
Department of Internal Medicine
The University of Iowa College of Medicine

Professional Organizations

Member-Society of Behavioral Medicine
Member-American Psychological Association
Member-APA Division 38 (Health Psychology)
Member-American Psychosomatic Society
Licensed Psychologist, State of Iowa

Awards

Old Gold Summer Fellowship. Awarded by the University of Iowa, Summer 1990
Early Career Award for Contributions to Psychosomatic Medicine.
Awarded by the American Psychosomatic Society, 1999.
Award for Outstanding Early Career Contributions to Health Psychology
Awarded by Division 38 of the American Psychological Association, 1999.
American Psychological Association Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution to Psychology (in the area of Health Psychology), 2000.
Early Career Award for Contributions to Behavioral Medicine Research.
Awarded by the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2000.

Selected Publications

*Co-authored with a student
  1. Christensen, A.J., Holman, J.M., Turner, C.W., & Slaughter, J.R. (1989). Quality of life in end-stage renal disease: Influence of renal transplantation. Clinical Transplantation, 3: 46-53.
     
  2. Christensen, A.J., Turner, C.W., Slaughter, J.M., & Holman, J.M. (1989). Perceived family support as a moderator of psychological well-being in end-stage renal disease. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 12(3): 249-265.
     
  3. Hill, C.A., & Christensen, A.J. (1989). Affiliative need, different types of social support, and physical symptoms. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 19, 1351-1370.
     
  4. Christensen, A.J., Smith, T.W., Turner, C.W., Holman, J.M., & Gregory, M.C. (1990). Type of hemodialysis and preference for behavioral involvement: Interactive effects on adherence in end-stage renal disease. Health Psychology, 9(2), 225-236.
     
  5. Smith, T.W., Baldwin, M., & Christensen, A.J. (1990). Interpersonal influence as active coping: Effects of task difficulty on cardiovascular reactivity. Psychophysiology, 27(4): 429-437.
     
  6. Christensen, A.J., Holman, J.M., Turner, C.W., Smith, T.W., Grant, M.K., & DeVault, G.A. (1991). A prospective study of quality of life in end-stage renal disease: Effects of cadaveric renal transplantation. Clinical Transplantation, 5(1): 40-47.
     
  7. Williamson, J.W., Reerink, E., Donabedian, A., Turner, C.W., & Christensen, A.J. (1991). Health science information management: The key for improving QA and clinical practice. Quality Assurance in Health Care, 4(3): 95-114.
     
  8. Christensen, A.J., Turner, C.W., Smith, T.W., Holman, J.M., & Gregory, M.C. (1991). Health locus of control and depression in end-stage renal disease. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59(3): 419-424.
     \\\\ 
  9. Smith, T.W., & Christensen, A.J. (1991). Hostility, health, and social contexts. In, H.S. Freidman (ed.), Hostility, coping, and health. American Psychological Association: Washington DC.
     
  10. Christensen, A.J., Smith, T.W., Turner, C.W., Holman, J.M., Gregory, M.C., & Rich, M.A. (1992). Social support and adherence in hemodialysis: An examination of main and buffering effects. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 15(4): 313-325.
     
  11. Smith, T.W., & Christensen, A.J. (1992). Cardiovascular reactivity and interpersonal relations: Psychosomatic processes in social context. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 11: 279-301.
     
  12. Christensen, A.J., & Smith, T.W. (1993). Cynical hostility, self-disclosure, and cardiovascular reactivity. Psychosomatic Medicine, 55: 193-202.
     
  13. Smith, T.W., O'Keefe, J.L., & Christensen, A.J. (1994). Cognitive distortion and depression in chronic pain: Association with diagnosed disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62: 195-198.
     
  14. Smith, T.W., Christensen, A.J., Peck, J.R., & Ward, J.R. (1994). Cognitive distortion and depression in rheumatoid arthritis: A four-year longitudinal analysis. Health Psychology, 13: 213-217.
     
  15. Christensen, A.J., Smith, T.W., Turner, C.W., & Cundick, K.E. (1994). Patient adherence and adjustment in renal dialysis: A person by treatment interactional approach. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 17, 549-566.
     
  16. Christensen, A.J., & Wiebe, J.S., Smith, T.W., & Turner, C.W. (1994). Predictors of survival among hemodialysis patients: Effect of perceived family support. Health Psychology, 13, 521-526.
     
  17. Christensen, A.J., Benotsch, E., Wiebe, J., & Lawton, W.J. (1995). Coping with illness-related stress: Effects on patient adherence in hemodialysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63, 454-459.
     
  18. Christensen, A.J., & Smith, T.W. (1995). Personality and patient adherence: Correlates of the Five-Factor Model in renal dialysis. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 18, 305-313.
     
  19. Christensen, A.J., Wiebe J.S., Edwards, D.L., Michels, J.D., & Lawton, W.J. (1996). Body consciousness, illness-related impairment, and patient regimen adherence in hemodialysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64, 147-152.
     
  20. Christensen, A.J., Edwards, D.L., Wiebe, J.S., Lubaroff, D., Benotsch, E.G., & Andrews, M. (1996). Effect of verbal self-disclosure on NK cell activity: Moderating influence of cynical hostility. Psychosomatic Medicine, 58, 150-155.
     
  21. Christensen, A.J., Wiebe, J.S., Benotsch, E. G., & Lawton, W.J. (1996). Perceived health competence, health locus of control, and patient adherence in renal dialysis. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 20, 411-421.
     
  22. Smith, T.W., & Christensen, A.J. (1996). Positive and negative affect in rheumatoid arthritis: Increased specificity in the assessment of emotional adjustment. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 18, 75-78.
     
  23. *Wiebe, J.S. & Christensen, A.J. (1996). Patient adherence in chronic illness: Personality and coping in context. Journal of Personality, 64, 815-835.
     
  24. Christensen, A.J., Benotsch, E., & Smith, T.W. (1997). Determinants of regimen adherence in renal dialysis. In D.S. Gochman (Ed.), Handbook of health behavior research. Vol. 2, (pp. 231-244). Plenum Publishing: New York.
     
  25. *Wiebe, J.S. & Christensen, A.J. (1997). Conscientiousness, health beliefs, and patient adherence in renal dialysis. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 19, 30-35.
     
  26. Christensen, A.J., Wiebe, J.S., & Lawton, W.J. (1997). Cynical hostility, expectancies about health care providers, and patient adherence in hemodialysis. Psychosomatic Medicine, 59, 307-312.
     
  27. *Benotsch, E.G., Christensen, A.J., & McKelvey, L. (1997). Hostility, social support, and ambulatory cardiovascular activity. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 20, 163-176.
     
  28. Christensen, A.J., Moran, P.J., Lawton, W.J., Stallman, D., & Voigts, A. (1997). Monitoring attentional style and medical regimen adherence. Health Psychology, 16, 256-262.
     
  29. *Moran, P.J., & Christensen, A.J. (1997). Conscientiousness, social support, and adaptation to chronic illness. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 19, 333-338.
     
  30. Christensen A.J. (1997). Psychological aspects of end-stage renal disease: An emerging context for behavioral medicine research (Commentary). Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 19, 323-324.
     
  31. Christensen, A.J., & Moran, P.J. (1998). The role of psychosomatic research in the management of end-stage renal disease: A framework for matching patient to treatment. (Editorial). Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 44, 523-528.
     
  32. Christensen, A.J. & Moran, P.J. (1998). Psychological aspects of end-stage renal disease. In A. Bellack and M. Hersen (Eds.), Comprehensive Clinical Psychology, Vol.8, Health Psychology (pp. 321-338), M. Johnston and D. Johnston (volume Eds). New York: Pergamon.
     
  33. Christensen, A.J., Edwards, D.L., Moran, P.J., & Burke, R., Lounsbury, P., & Gordon, E. (1999). Cognitive distortion and functional impairment in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 23, 159-168.
     
  34. Funk, G.F., Karnell, L.H., Christensen, A.J., Moran, P.J., & Giklich, R.E. (1999). Comprehensive head and neck oncology health status assessment: Functional and subjective measures of outcome, Head and Neck, 20, 600-608.
     
  35. Christensen, A.J., Moran, P.J., & Wiebe, J.S. (1999). Assessment of irrational health beliefs: Relation to health practices and medical regimen adherence. Health Psychology, 169-176.
     
  36. Rich, M.A., Smith, T.W., & Christensen, A.J. (1999). Attributions and adjustment in end-stage renal disease. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 23, 143-158.
     
  37. Christensen, A.J., Dornink, R., Ehlers, S.L., & Schultz, S. (1999). Social environment and longevity in schizophrenia. Psychosomatic Medicine, 61, 141-145.

  38. Christensen, A.J., Moran, P.J., Ehlers, S.L., Raichle, K., Karnell, L.H., & Funk, G. (1999). Smoking and drinking behavior in patients with head and neck cancer: Effects of behavioral self-blame and perceived control. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 22, 407-418.

  39. *Moran, P.J., Christensen, A.J., Ehlers, S.L., & Bertolatus, J.A. (1999). Family environment, intrusive ideation, and adjustment among renal transplant candidates. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 21, 311-316.

  40. Christensen, A.J. (2000). Patient X treatment context interaction in chronic disease: A conceptual framework for the study of patient adherence. Psychosomatic Medicine, 62, 435-443.

  41. Christensen, A.J., Ehlers, S.L., Raichle, K.A., Bertolatus, J.A., & Lawton, W.J. (2000). Predicting change in depression following renal transplantation: Effect of patient coping preferences. Health Psychology, 19, 348-353.

  42. *Raichle, K.A., Christensen, A.J., Ehlers, S.L., Moran, P.J., Karnell, L., & Funk, G. (2001). Public and private self-consciousness and smoking behavior in head and neck cancer patients. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 23, 120-124.

  43. Christensen, A.J., & Ehlers, S.L. (2002). Psychological factors in end-stage renal disease: An emerging context for behavioral medicine research. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70, 712-724.

  44. Christensen, A.J., & Raichle, K. (2002). Biopsychosocial aspects of chronic renal disease. In A.J. Christensen and M. Antoni (Eds.), Chronic physical disorders: Behavioural medicine's perspective". Blackwell Publishing, Oxford.

  45. Christensen, A.J. & Johnson, J. (2002). Patient adherence with medical treatment regimens: An interactive approach. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11, 94-97.

  46. Christensen, A.J., Moran, P.J., Wiebe, J.S., Ehlers S., & Lawton, W.J. (2002). Effect of a behavioral self-regulation intervention on patient adherence in hemodialysis. Health Psychology, 21, 393-397.

  47. Christensen, A.J., Ehlers, S.L., Raichle, K.A., & Lawton, W.J. (2002). Patient personality predicts mortality in chronic renal insufficiency: A four-year prospective examination. Health Psychology, 21, 315-320.

  48. Christensen, A.J., Raichle, K.A., Ehlers, S.L., & Bertolatus, J.A. (2002). Renal transplantation and the family environment: Effects of donor source and family support on patient quality of life. Health Psychology, 21, 468-476.

Research Support

    Grants Received:
    Agency: Central Investment Fund for Research Enhancement: The University of Iowa.
    Proposal: "Self-disclosure, hostility, and immune function."
    Type: Intramural
    Role: PI
    Amount: $7,500
    Status: Completed. Funding period January 1994 -- December 1994. 

    Agency: National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases).
    Proposal: "Promoting patient adherence and adjustment in renal dialysis."
    Type: R29 (FIRST Award)
    Role: PI
    Amount: $511,835
    Status: Active: Funding period January 1995 -- December 1999

    Agency: National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases).
    Proposal: "Patient adherence and adjustment in end-stage renal disease."
    Type: RO1
    Role: PI
    Amount: $515,600
    Status: Active: Funding period January 2000 -- December 2003
     

Professional Service

    Associate Editor
    Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 2000 -- present

    Editorial Board
    Health Psychology, 1995, 1996, 2000
    Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1999 -- present

    Guest Editor
    Annals of Behavioral Medicine, special series on "Psychological Aspects of Renal Disease", Volume 19,(4) Fall 1997.

    Book Editing
    Chronic physical disorders: Behavioral medicine's perspective (2002). A.J. Christensen & M. Antoni (Eds.), Blackwell Publishing: Oxford.

    Encyclopedia of health psychology. Edited volume. Under contract, MacMillan Reference.  Expected publication date: Winter 2003.

    Patient adherence with treatment regimens. Under contract, Yale University Press. Expected publication date: Winter 2003.

    Program Committee Service
    Program Co-Chair, American Psychological Association 1997 Convention Divison 38 (Health Psychology)
    Program Chair, American Psychological Association 1998 Convention Divison 38 (Health Psychology)
    Program Track Chair, Chronic Disease Management Track, Society of Behavioral Medicine 2000 Annual Meeting
    Program Co-Chair, Society of Behavioral Medicine 2001 Annual Meeting

    Journal Reviewer (ad-hoc)
    -Abnormal Psychology
    -Annals of Behavioral Medicine
    -Cognition and Emotion
    -Cognitive Therapy and Research
    -Contemporary Psychology
    -Health Psychology
    -Journal of Behavioral Medicine
    -Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
    -Journal of Psychosomatic Research
    -Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology
    -Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
    -Psychosomatic Medicine