Faculty Works in the News
WRI Faculty Affiliates Draw National Attention
Niwako Yamawaki, PhD
A study by Professor Niwako Yamawaki and former students Jared Wilkerson and Samuel D. Downs found that Mexican women whose husbands migrate to the United States generally have poorer mental health than a comparison group. The study, "Effects of Husbands' Migration on Mental Health and Gender Role Ideology of Rural Mexican Women," attributes this condition largely to the nontraditional gender roles that are forced upon the women because of their husbands' absence. (More at LA Times and BYU News)
Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD
A study by BYU Professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad, University of Utah Professor Kathleen Light, and research assistant Wendy Birmingham found that massages and other supportive, affectionate physical contact lower blood pressure and stress hormones and enhance levels of oxytocin, especially among men. The study strengthens growing evidence of the link between social relationships and physical health. (More at USA Today and BYU News)
Another study by Dr. Holt-Lunstad’s, with the assistance of Wendy Birmingham and Brandon Jones, found that happily married couples have lower blood pressure than single adults with a supportive network of friends, revealing some distinct health benefits of a happy marriage. (More at US News & World Report, New York Times, and BYU News)
Valerie Hudson, PhD
Bonnie Ballif-Spanvill, PhD
Chad F. Emmett, PhD
More than the level of democracy, economic development, or civilization identity, a top predictor of state security and peacefulness is the treatment of women within society. "The Heart of the Matter," an article co-authored by Valerie Hudson, PhD, Bonnie Ballif-Spanvill, PhD, Chad F. Emmett, PhD, all from BYU, Mary Caprioli, PhD, from University Minnesota-Duluth and Rose McDermott, PhD, from Brown University was recently published in International Security, America's leading journal of security affairs. The article details correlating results of the study to urge that the security of women must not be overlooked in policy initiatives in order to promote security for all. (More at The Atlantic, Mormon Times, Boston Globe, Salt Lake Tribune, BYU News, and Deseret News)
More News on WRI Faculty Affiliates
Camille Fronk Olson, PhD
Women of the Old Testament by Camille Fronk Olson, associate professor of ancient scriptures, brings to life the women, named and unnamed, who are often lost in the text. (More at BYU News)
Marleen Williams, PhD
Dr. Marleen Williams co-authored Matters of the Mind: Latter-day Saint Helps for Mental Health with John P. Livingstone, EdD, to help Latter-day Saints understand the complexities of mental health and to serve those who struggle to cope with these illnesses. (More at BYU NewsNet)
Romana O. Hopkins, PhD
A study by Professor Romana O. Hopkins, with Mary Suchyta, M.D., revealed that drug and alcohol abuse doubles the risk of ICU admission. Suchyta and Hopkins reviewed records for 742 patients admitted to LDS Hospital's intensive care unit over a one-year period. Nineteen percent of those patients had a history of drug and alcohol dependence prior to becoming critically ill. (More at BYU News, Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune)
Barbara Culatta, PhD
Professor Barbara Culatta, associate dean of the David O. McKay School of Education, presented a devotional, "Loving Our Neighbor: Tolerance and Acceptance as We Come Together in Knowing Christ," on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009 in the Marriott Center. (More at BYU News)
Marilyn Arnold, PhD
Emeritus Professor Marilyn Arnold published Sacred Hymns of the Book of Mormon in response to the lack of songs about the sacred text. Arnold collaborated with Maurine Ozment to arrange 32 original pieces of music for the unique collection. (More at BYU News and The Spectrum)