This talk will present a program of research on the interplay between close relationships and health. This line of research is based on both social and developmental psychology theories and focuses on the role of close relationships (e.g., parent-child relationships, romantic relationships) in health throughout the lifespan, with a particular focus on weight-related health issues among minorities. The theoretical frameworks that guide the research are grounded in social cognitive (e.g., implicit theories), motivational (e.g., self-determination theory), and developmental (e.g., parenting) approaches that address the mechanisms through which long-term behavior change and adherence can be achieved. The methodologies employed include experiments, experience sampling procedures, and small group methods (e.g., studies of dyads and families). The presentation will also include a discussion of currently-funded research and future directions.

<a href="http://www.bcm.edu/directory/?CFID=39001890&amp;CFTOKEN=29898821"><b>Heather Patrick</b></a> is an instructor at the Children's Nutrition Research Center in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. Her research interests include increasing fruit and vegetable intake in young children and developing interventions to increase physical activity, with a particular focus on how characteristics of the social environment (family, peers, and other close relationships) impact these behaviors. Dr. Patrick earned her PhD in social psychology from the University of Houston in 2003, and has substantial training in research methods and advanced data analytic techniques including confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and hierarchical linear modeling.<br>