Mary Himmelstein

GRADUATE AREAS:

• Psychological Science - Social
• Psychological Science - Health

Does Dr. Himmelstein plan to recruit a doctoral student for the next incoming class?

Research Interests

My research focuses on understanding how biopsychosocial mechanisms influence health and disease processes as a function of weight stigma and masculinity. I examine (i) intersecting social identities in the experience of stigma and discrimination; (ii) physical and psychological health consequences of weight stigma as well as how individuals cope with these experiences; and (iii) the role of masculinity in men’s health stress, and interactions with the healthcare system. 

Lab Site:

SWAG Lab

Publications:

• Himmelstein, M. S., Puhl, R. M. & Quinn, D. M. (2019, in press). Overlooked and understudied: Weight stigma and health consequences in men. Obesity.
• Himmelstein, M. S., Puhl, R. M., & Watson, R. (2019, in press). Weight-Based Victimization, Eating Behaviors, and Weight-Related Health in Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents. Appetite. (IF 3.174)doi. 10.1016/j.appet.2019.104321
• Himmelstein, M. S., & Puhl, R. M. (2019, in press).  Weight-based victimization from friends and family: implications for how adolescents cope with weight stigma. Pediatric Obesity, 14. Advance Online Publication. doi 10.1111/ijpo.12453
• Himmelstein, M. S., Kramer, B. L., & Springer, K. W. (2019, in press). Stress in strong convictions: Masculinity beliefs moderate cortisol reactivity to masculinity threat.  Psychology of Men & Masculinity, Advance Online Publication. doi  10.1037/men0000187 
• Puhl, R. M. & Himmelstein, M. S. (2018). Weight Bias Internalization among Adolescents Seeking Weight Loss: Implications for Eating Behaviors and Parental Communication.  Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 2271 doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02271 
• Himmelstein, M. S., Puhl, R. M. & Quinn, D. M. (2018).  Weight Stigma and Health: The Mediating Role of Coping Responses. Health Psychology,37, 139-147  doi 10.1037/hea0000575 
• Himmelstein, M. S., Puhl, R. M. & Quinn, D. (2017). Intersectionality: An Understudied Framework for Addressing Weight Stigma. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 53, 421-431. doi  10.1016/j.amepre.2017.04.003.
• Puhl, R. M., Himmelstein, M. S., Gorin, A. A., & Suh, Y. J. (2017). Missing the Target: Including Perspectives of Individuals with Obesity to Inform Stigma-reduction Strategies.  Obesity Science & Practice, 3, 25-35. doi 10.1002/osp4.101 
• Himmelstein, M. S., & Sanchez, D. T. (2016). Masculinity in the doctor's office: Masculinity, gendered doctor preference and doctor–patient communication. Preventive Medicine, 84, 34-40. doi 10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.12.008.
• Himmelstein, M. S., Incollingo Belsky, A. C.+ & Tomiyama, A. J. (2015).  The weight of stigma: The effects of BMI and perceived body weight on cortisol reactivity to experiencing weight stigma.. Obesity, 23, 368-374. doi 10.1002/oby.20959.