The Department of Psychology
Catalina Lawsin 
Trained as a clinical health psychologist, my research interests are in cancer prevention and control. Specifically I am exploring quality of life among cancer survivors and health disparities in cancer prevention. I am interested in melding my two research interests to examine the socio-cultural and systemic factors that influence quality of life among cancer patients and their family via the conduct of cross-cultural research.
Supported by a grant received from the National Cancer Institute and in collaboration with Cornell Weill Medical Center, I am conducting a study examining the benefit of a couple-focused coping skills training (CST) intervention delivered pre-transplant. Administered via the telephone, patients undergoing transplant and their partner will receive three CST psychoeducation sessions equipping couples with skills to manage stressors associated to the uncertainty underlying hematopoietic stem cell transplant that they can use together and independently. The proposed study aims to mitigate emotional distress in patients and their partners, reduce the long-term burden of HSCT and enhance treatment outcomes.
As an extension of the above mentioned research, I am beginning a cross-cultural qualitative study examining the socio-cultural and systemic factors influencing the coping processes experienced by patients and their partners throughout the transplant via retrospective couple-focused qualitative interviews. In effort to better understand the design of health care systems and the patients participating in them, cross-cultural research conducted in systems that have receive high ratings at an international level can offer an opportunity to examine the strengths and weaknesses that contribute to the success of the system. This study proposes to examine these psychosocial factors that influence patients’ and their partners’ management of uncertainty in the context of participation in transplant within a socialized medicine system.
Specifically, these interviews will assess: how couples perceive and manage uncertainty in the context of transplant; how medical system factors (e.g. access to care, insurance coverage, and federally regulated employment benefits for chronically ill individuals) influence quality of life; what psychosocial services were utilized throughout treatment; and what additional auxiliary services couples would be interested in receiving. In addition to qualitative interviews patients will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires assessing quality of life, mood, ability to cope with stressors, and the quality of the relationship between the patient and their partner.
The results of these two studies will build the foundation for a planned larger study implementing the couples focused CST intervention in multiple sites internationally. The aim of this body of research is to integrate psychosocial services into standard care for preparing patients and their families to participate in HSCT in effort to mitigate distress and enhance outcomes throughout the transplant process.
PUBLICATIONS
Lawsin, C., DuHamel, K, Itzkowitz, Brown, K., Lim, H., Thelemaque, L., S. Jandorf, L. (2009). Communication Between Colorectal Cancer Patients and Their Siblings: Discussions Regarding CRC Risk. Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, Nov; 18 (11):2907-12.
Christie, J, Jandorf, L., Itzkowitz, S., Halm, E., Freeman, K., King, S., Dhulkifl, R., McNair, M., Thelemaque, L., Lawsin, C., Duhamel, K. (2009). Sociodemographic Correlates of Stage of Adoption for Colorectal Cancer Screening in African Americans. Ethnicity and Disease, 19: 323-329.
Lawsin, C., DuHamel, K, Itzkowitz, Brown, K., Lim, H., Thelemaque, L., S. Jandorf, L. (2007). Demographic, Medical, and Psychosocial Correlates to CAM Use among Survivors of Colorectal Cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer, May;15(5):557-64.
Lawsin, C., DuHamel, K, Rakowski, W., Weiss, A., Jandorf, L. (2007). Colorectal Cancer Screening among Low-Income African Americans in East Harlem: A Theoretical Approach to Understanding Barriers and Promoters to Screening. Journal of Urban Health, 84(1):32-44.
Rini, C., Lawsin, C., Austin, J. DuHamel, K., Markarian, Y., Burkhalter, J., Labay, L., Redd, W. (2007). Peer Mentoring and Survivors’ Stories for Cancer Patients: Positive Effects and Some Cautionary Notes. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 25(1): 163-6.
Lawsin, C., Borrayo, E., Edwards, R., Belloso, C. (2007). Community Readiness to Promote Latinas’ Participation in Breast Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials. Health and Social Care in the Community, 15(4), July, 369-378.
Borrayo, E., & Lawsin, C., Coit, C. (2005). Latinas’ appraisal of enrollment and adherence to breast cancer prevention clinical trials. Cancer Control, Cancer, Culture and Literacy Supplement, 107-110.
Borrayo, E., Thomas, J.J., & Lawsin, C. (2004) Cervical cancer screening among Latinas: The importance of referral and parallel cancer screening behaviors. Women & Health, 39, 13-29.
Borrayo, E., Jenkins, S. R., & Lawsin, C. (under review). Feeling Threatened: Mexican- descent women’s reaction to breast cancer diagnosis. Journal of Health Behavior.
Lawsin, C., DuHamel, K. Burkhalter, J., Labay, L., Redd, W. (in preparation). Coping with Transplant: Strategies to Manage Uncertainty and Distress.
Lawsin, C. Borrayo, E. (in preparation) Latinas’ Participation in Breast Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials: A Qualitative Exploration into Factors of Decision-Making.
PRESENTATIONS
Lawsin, C., Markarian, Y., Labay, L., Redd, W. DuHamel, K (2009). A qualitative exploration of how patients cope with uncertainty associated to hematopoetic stem cell transplant: Implications for enhancing psychosocial services. Poster presentation at the Australian Health Promotion Association 18th National Conference. Perth, Australia.
Lawsin, C. (2009). Integration of mental health services in oncological treatment in the United States, Australia and France. Symposium presentation at the Australian Health Promotion Association 18th National Conference. Perth, Australia.
Sukhnandan, H., Lawsin, C., Yeung, C., Shi, A., DuHamel, K., Markarian, Y., Labay, L., , Redd, W. (2009) “Patient Empowerment in the Context of HSCT” Presentation at the Society of Behavioral Medicine's 30th Annual Meeting, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Yeung, C., Lawsin, C. , Sukhnandan, H., Shi, A., Markarian, Y., DuHamel, K., Markarian, Y., Labay, L., , Redd, W. (2009) "A Qualitative Exploration of The Role Of Sexuality in Partner Relationships Among HSCT Survivors” Presentation at the Society of Behavioral Medicine's 30th Annual Meeting, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Lawsin, C., Markarian, Y., Prager, R., Burkhalter, B., Labay, L., Redd, W. DuHamel, K (2009). Uncertainty in the context of hematopoetic stem cell transplant: An examination of patients’ coping strategies and implications for enhancing psychosocial services. Poster presentation at the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine Conference. Auckland, New Zealand.
Lawsin, C. (2009). Implementation of psychosocial services in cancer care: A comparison of integrated services in the United States and Australia. Poster presentation at the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine Conference. Auckland, New Zealand.
Lawsin, C., Erwin, D., Bursac, Z., Jandorf, L. (2008). Breast Cancer Knowledge ad Screening Practices Among Subgroups of Hispanic Immigrants in the United States. Symposium at the International Congress of Behavioral Medicine. Tokyo, Japan.
Duhamel, K., Lawsin, C., Jandorf, L. (2008). Processes of Change for Undergoing CRC Screening Among US African Americans. Symposium at the International Congress of Behavioral Medicine. Tokyo, Japan.
Lawsin, C.., Markarian, Y., Prager, R., Burkhalter, B., Labay, L., Redd, W. DuHamel, K (2008). Coping with Uncertainty in the Context of HSCT. Presentation at the Society of Behavioral Medicine's 29th Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
Lawsin, C.., Markarian, Y., Prager, R., Burkhalter, B., Labay, L., Redd, W. DuHamel, K (2008). Utilization of Mental Health and Auxiliary Services Among Hematopoietic Transplant Recipients: Support for Additional Psychosocial Support Throughout the Transplant Process. Presentation at the International Forum on Quality in Health Care, Paris, FR.
Lawsin, C., DuHamel, K., Itzkowitz, S., Brown, K., Jandorf, L. (2007). Communication Between Colorectal Cancer Survivors and Their Siblings: Discussions Regarding Genetic Testing and CRC Risk. Presentation at the Society of Behavioral Medicine's 28th Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
Lawsin, C., Thompson, H., Jandorf, L. (2007). African American Lay Health Workers of the Witness Project of Harlem: The Benefit of a Standardized Training on Cancer Knowledge. Poster presented at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society 4th Annual Conference, Austin, TX.
Lawsin, C., Jandorf, L., DuHamel, K., Markarian, Y., Burkhalter, B., Labay, L., Redd, W. (2007). Perceptions of Mental Health Services Among Hematopoietic Transplant Recipients: Support for Additional Psychosocial Interventions. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine's 28th Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
Lawsin, C., Erwin, D., Jandorf, L. (2007). Heterogeneity in Breast and Cervical Cancer Knowledge and Screening Practices Among Subgroups of Hispanic Immigrants in the United States. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine's 28th Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
DuHamel, K.N., Lawsin, C., Freeman, K., and Jandorf, L. (2007). Processes of Change and Stage for Undergoing CRC Screening Among AAs. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine's 28th Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
Thélémaque, L., Lawsin, C., Itzkowitz, S., Jandorf, L. (2007). Psychological Distress Among Colorectal Cancer Survivors: Influence of Sociodemographic and Medical Factor. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine's 28th Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
Jandorf, L., Lawsin, C., McNair, Michelle, and DuHamel, K.N. (2007). Culturally relevant Educational Brochures for Colorectal Cancer Screening among African Americans. Presentation at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society 4th Annual Conference, Austin, TX.
Jandorf, L., Lawsin, C., Erwin, D. (2007). Success of a Community Based Breast and Cervical Education Program for Immigrant Latinas. Poster presented at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society 4th Annual Conference, Austin, TX.
Rini, C., Austin, J., Lawsin, C., DuHamel, K., Markarian, Y., Burkhalter, J., Labay, L., Redd, W. (2007).
Survivors as Informational Resource for Cancer Patients: What are Their Effects on Patients? Presentation at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society 4th Annual Conference, Austin, TX.
Jandorf, L., Lawsin, C., Freeman, K., McNair, Michelle, Christie, J., Thompson, H., and DuHamel, K.N. (2006). Tailored educational messages to increase colorectal cancer screening among African Americans. Poster presented at the 40th American Association of Cancer Education Conference, San Diego, CA.
DuHamel, K.N., Lawsin, C., Freeman, K., Christie, J., Thompson, H. , Winkel, G. , Rakowski, W. , Manne, S. , Itzkowitz, S. , Redd, W. , Vernon, S. , Mathews, A., Weiss, T. , and Jandorf, L. (2006). Colorectal cancer screening among African Americans: The importance of the patient’s relationship with the health care system and with their doctor. Poster presented at the 9th Annual International Conference of Behavioral Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand.
Lawsin, C., DuHamel, K., Jandorf, L. (2006). Factors associated to African American’s adherence to colorectal cancer screening guidelines. Paper presented at the 10th Biennial Symposium on Minorities, The Medically Underserved & Cancer. Washington, DC.
Lawsin, C., Borrayo, E., Belleso, C. (2004). Community Readiness to Promote Latinas Participation in Breast Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials. Poster presented at the 111th Annual of the American Psychological Association, Honolulu, HA.
Borrayo, E., Lawsin, C. (2004). Where’s Maria? A Video to Increase Latinas’ Awareness About Mammography. Poster presented at the 111th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Honolulu, HA.
Lawsin, C., Borrayo, E., Jenkins S. R. (2002). Feeling Threatened: How Women of Mexican-Descent Anticipate Breast Cancer. Poster presented at the 110th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.
Borrayo, E., Jenkins, S. R., Lawsin, C. (2001). Feeling Indecent: Breast Cancer Screening Resistance of Mexican-Descent Women. Poster presented at the 109th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.
Borrayo, E., Lawsin, C., Reyes, A. (2001). Mexican-Descent Latina’s Compliance with Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines. Poster presented at the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association Convention. Reno, Nevada.
Van Horn, Y., V., Chernoff, R., G, Lawsin, C., Willis, K. (1999). Appraisal of Social Support and Internalizing Distress Among HIV-Positive Caretakers. Poster presented at the 108th American Psychological Association Convention, Boston, MA.
Lawsin, C., Greenwood, P, and Parasuraman, R. (2000). Search Accuracy Benefits From A Larger Attentional Focus in Young and Old. Poster accepted at the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, 7th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA.
Luo, Y.J., Jiang, Y., Lawsin, C., Parasuraman, R. (2000). Age-Related Reduction in Visual Priming of 2-D Motion Direction. Poster presented at the 8th Cognitive Aging Conference, Atlanta, GA.
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