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Dunkel Schetter's primary program of research is on stress processes in pregnancy. In this work, Dunkel Schetter and collaborators examine various aspects of prenatal maternal stress including stress exposures, emotional responses, and appraisals of stress and their effects on preterm birth and low birthweight. This program of research involves prospective longitudinal studies of thousands of pregnant women of diverse ethnicity and socioeconomic status including low income, Hispanic and African American women. Dunkel Schetter and associates have documented that prenatal anxiety reliably predicts time of gestation and that corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) is involved in the mechanisms responsible for preterm delivery. In addition, Dunkel Schetter and colleagues have examined the HPA axis in pregnancy and published findings involving levels of ACTH and cortisol as well as CRH at various times in pregnancy and as significant correlates of self-report psychological measures. Dunkel Schetter's current research is focused mainly on unique risk and resiliency factors and mechanisms involving African American and Latina women, and on preventive interventions. Her lab is also engaged in experimental studies of basic social support processes. She is currently collaborating with many others to publish findings from a community collaborative national study of SES and ethnic disparities in maternal and child health which also focuses on fathers. (See Projects)
Measures & Instruments
PublicationsUp to 2009; for updates, please refer to Publications tab. Social Support (SS)Dunkel Schetter, C. & Brooks, K. (2009). The nature of social support. In Harry T. Reis and Susan Sprecher (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Human Relationships. Thousand Oaks, Ca: SageView file: 
Lu, Q., Lu, M.C., & Dunkel Schetter, C. (2005). Learning from success and failure in psychosocial intervention: An evaluation of low birth weight prevention trials. Journal of Health Psychology, 10(2), 185-195. View file:
Feldman, P.J., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Sandman, C.A., & Wadhwa, P.D. (2000) Maternal social support predicts birth weight and fetal growth in human pregnancy. Psychosomatic Medicine, 62(5), 715-725. View file:
Feldman, P. J., Ullman, J. B., & Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1998). Women's reactions to rape victims: Motivational processes associated with blame and social support. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 28(6), 469-503. View file:
Schwarzer, R., Dunkel-Schetter, C., & Kemeny, M. (1994). The multidimensional nature of received social support in gay men at risk of HIV infection and AIDS. American Journal of Community Psychology, 22(3), 319-339 View file:
Ell, K., & Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1994). Social support and adjustment to myocardial infarction, angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery. In S.A. Shumaker & S.M. Czajkowski (Eds.), Social support and cardiovascular disease (pp. 301-332). New York: Plenum. View file:
Schwarzer, R., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Weiner, B., & Woo, G. (1992). Expectancies as mediators between recipient characteristics and social support intentions. In R. Schwarzer (Ed.), Self-efficacy: Thought control of action (pp. 65-87). Washington: Hemisphere Publishing. View file:
Herbert, T. L., & Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1992). Negative social reactions to victims: An overview of responses and their determinants. In L. Montada, S. H. Filipp, & M. J. Lerner (Eds.), Life crises and experiences of loss in adulthood (pp. 497-518). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C., Blasband, D., Feinstein, L. G., & Bennett Herbert, T. (1992). Elements of supportive interactions: When are attempts to help effective? In S. Spacapan & S. Oskamp (Eds.) Helping and being helped in the real world (pp. 83-114). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications. View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C., & Skokan, L. (1990). Determinants of social support provision in personal relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 7, 437-450. View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C., & Bennett, T. L. (1990). Differentiating the cognitive and behavioral aspects of social support. In B. R. Sarason, I. G. Sarason, & G. R. Pierce (Eds.), Social support: An interactional view (pp. 267-296). New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. View file: n/a Reifman, A., & Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1990). Stress, structural social support, and well-being in university students. American Journal of College Health, 38, 271-277. View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C., Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. (1987). Correlates of social support receipt. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53(1), 71-80. View file:
Wortman, C. B., & Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1987). Conceptual and methodological issues in the study of social support. In A. Baum & J. E. Singer (Eds.), Handbook of psychology and health, V. 5, (pp. 63-108). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1984). Social support and cancer: Findings based on patient interviews and their implications. Journal of Social Issues, 40(4), 77-98. View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C., Wortman, C. B., & Oviedo, M. A., (1984). Social support and adjustment to cancer. Cancer Focus, 7(1 & 2), 58-60. View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C., & Wortman, C. B. (1982). The interpersonal dynamics of cancer: Problems in social relationships and their impact on the patient. In H. S. Friedman & M. R. DiMatteo (Eds.), Interpersonal issues in health care (pp. 69-100). New York: Academic Press. View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1982). UMI: Social Support and Coping with Cancer, 43(6), 275 pp. View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C., & Wortman, C. B. (1981). Dilemmas of social support: Parallels between victimization and aging. In S. B. Kiesler, J. N. Morgan, & V. K. Oppenheimer (Eds.), Aging: Social change (pp. 349-381). New York: Academic Press. View file:
Wortman, C. B., & Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1979). Interpersonal relationships and cancer: A theoretical analysis. Journal of Social Issues, 35(1), 120-155. View file:
Pregnancy and Reproductive HealthDunkel Schetter, C. (2009). Stress processes in pregnancy and preterm birth. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18(4), 205-209.View file:
Yim, I.S., Glynn, L.M., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Hobel, C.J., Chicz-DeMet, A., Sandman, C.A., (2009). Elevated corticotropin-releasing hormone in human pregnancy increases the risk of postpartum depressive symptoms. General Archives of Psychiatry.66(2), 162-169. View file:
Dominguez, T.P., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Glynn, L.M., Hobel, C.J. & Sandman, C.A. (2008). Racial differences in birth outcomes: The role of general, pregnancy, and racism stress. Health Psychology, 27(2), 194-203. View file:
Hilmert, C.J., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Parker Dominguez, T., Abdou, C., Hobel, C.J., Glynn, L.M., & Sandman, C. A. (2008). Stress and blood pressure during pregnancy: Racial differences and associations with birthweight. Psychosomatic Medicine, 70(1), 57-64. View file:
Glynn L.M., Dunkel-Schetter C., Hobel C.J., & Sandman C. (2008). Pattern of perceived stress and anxiety in pregnancy predicts preterm birth. Health Psychology, 27(1), 43-51. View file:
Ellman, L.M., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Hobel, C.J., Chicz-DeMet, A., Glynn, L.M., Sandman, C.A. (2008). Timing of Fetal Exposure to Stress Hormones: Effects on newborn physical and neuromuscular maturation. Developmental Psychobiology, 50(3), 232-241. View file:
Glynn L.M., Davis E.P., Dunkel-Schetter C, Chicz-DeMet A., Hobel,C.J., & Sandman,C.A. (2007). Postnatal maternal cortisol levels predict temperament in healthy breastfed infants. Early Human Development, 83(10), 675-681. View file:
Davis, E.P., Glynn, L.M, Dunkel-Schetter, C., Hobel, C.J., Chicz-DeMet, A., & Sandman, C.A. (2007). Prenatal exposure to maternal depression and cortisol influences infant temperament. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(6), 737-746. View file:
Glynn, L.M., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Chicz-DeMet, A., Hobel, C.J., & Sandman, C.A., (2007). Ethnic differences in adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol and corticotropin-releasing hormone during pregnancy. Peptides, 28(6), 1155-1161. View file:
Savitz, D. & Dunkel-Schetter, C. (2007). Behavioral and psychosocial contributors to preterm birth. In R.E. Behrman, A.S. Butler (Eds.), Preterm Birth: Causes, Consequences and Prevention (pp. 87-123).Washington, DC: National Academy Press. View file:
Campos, B., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Walsh, J.A., & Schenker, M. (2007). Sharpening the focus on acculturative change: ARSMA-II, stress, pregnancy anxiety, and infant birthweight in recently immigrated latinas. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 29(2), 209-224. View file:
Sandman, C.A., Glynn, L.M., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Wadhwa, P., Garite, T., Chicz-DeMet, A., & Hobel, C.J. (2006). Elevated maternal cortisol early in pregnancy predicts third trimester levels of placental corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH): Priming the placental clock. Peptides, 2, 1457-1463. View file:
Rini, C.M., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Hobel, C.J., Glynn, L.M., & Sandman, C.A. (2006) Effective social support: Antecedents and consequences of partner support during pregnancy. Personal Relationships, 13(2), 207-229. View file:
Gurung, R.A.R., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Collins, N., Rini, C., & Hobel, C.J. (2005). Psychosocial predictors of prenatal anxiety. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 24(4), 497-519. View file:
Davis, E. P., Glynn, L. M., Dunkel Schetter, C., Hobel, C., Chicz-Demet, A. & Sandman, C. A. (2005). Corticotropin-releasing hormone during pregnancy is associated with infant temperament. Developmental Neuroscience, 27, 299-305. View file:
Parker Dominguez, T., Dunkel Schetter, C., Mancuso, R., Rini, C.M., & Hobel, C. (2005). Stress in African-American pregnancies: Testing the roles of various stress concepts in prediction of birth outcomes. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 29(1), 12-21. View file:
Lu, Q., Lu, M.C., & Dunkel Schetter, C. (2005). Learning from success and failure in psychosocial intervention: An evaluation of low birth weight prevention trials. Journal of Health Psychology, 10(2), 185-195. View file:
Collins, N. L., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Lobel, M., & Scrimshaw, S. C. (2004). Social support in pregnancy: Psychosocial correlates of birth outcomes and postpartum depression. Reprinted in H.T. Reis & C.E. Rusbult (Eds.), Key Readings in Social Psychology: Close Relationships (pp. 35-56). New York: Psychology Press. View file:
Glynn, L.M., Dunkel Schetter, C., Wadhwa, P.D., & Sandman, C.A. (2004). Pregnancy affects appraisal of negative life events. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 56(1), 47-52. View file:
Mancuso, R.A., Dunkel Schetter, C., Rini, C.M., Roesch, S.C., & Hobel, C.J. (2004). Maternal prenatal anxiety and corticotropin-releasing hormone associated with timing of delivery. Psychosomatic Medicine, 66, 762-769. View file:
Wadhwa, P.D., Garite, T.J., Porto, M., Glynn, L., Chicz-DeMet, A., Dunkel-Schetter, C., & Sandman, C.A. (2004). Placental corticotropin-releasing hormone, spontaneous preterm birth and fetal growth restriction: A prospective investigation. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 191, 1063-1069. View file:
Davis, E.P., Snidman, N., Wadhwa, P.D., Dunkel Schetter, C., Glynn, L.M., & Sandman, C.A. (2004). Prenatal maternal anxiety and depression predict negative behavioral reactivity in infancy. Infancy, 6(3), 319-331. View file:
Roesch, S.C., Dunkel Schetter, C., Woo, G., & Hobel, C.J. (2004). Modeling the types and timing of stress in pregnancy. Anxiety, Stress, and Coping, 17(1), 87-102. View file:
Dunkel Schetter, C. & Rini, C.K. (2004). Pregnancy outcomes: Psychosocial aspects. In N. Anderson (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Health and Behavior: Vol. 2 (pp.669-671). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. View file:
Wadhwa, P.D., Culhane, J.F., Rauh, V., Barve, S.S., Hogan, V., Sandman, C.A., Hobel, C.J., Chicz-DeMet, A., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Garite, T.J., & Glynn, L. (2001). Stress, infection and preterm birth: A biobehavioral perspective. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 15(s2), 17-29. View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C., Gurung, R. A. R., Lobel, M., & Wadhwa, P. D. (2000). Stress processes in pregnancy and birth: Psychological, biological and sociocultural influences. In A. Baum, T. Revenson, & J. Singer (Eds.), Handbook of Health Psychology (pp. 495-518). Hillsdale New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum. View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1998). Maternal stress and preterm delivery. Prenatal and Neonatal Medicine, 3, 39-42. View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C. & Lobel, M. (1998). Pregnancy and childbirth. In E. Blechman & K. Brownell (Eds.), Behavioral medicine and women: A comprehensive handbook (475-482). New York: Guilford Publications. View file:
Grody, W. W., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Tatsugawa, Z. H., Fox, M. A., Fang, C. Y., Cantor, R. M., Novak, J. M., Bass, H. N., & Crandall, B. F. (1997). PCR-based screening for cystic fibrosis carrier mutations in an ethnically diverse pregnant population. The American Journal of Human Genetics, 60(4), 935-947. View file:
Fang, C. Y., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Tatsugawa, Z. H., Fox, M. A., Bass, H. N., Crandall, B. F., & Grody, W. W. (1997). Attitudes toward genetic carrier screening for cystic fibrosis among pregnant women: The role of health beliefs and avoidant coping style. Women’s Health: Research on Gender, Behavior, and Policy, 3(1), 31-51. View file:
Scrimshaw, S. C. M., Zambrana, R., & Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1997). Issues in Latino women’s health: Myths and challenges. In S. B. Ruzek, V. L. Oleson, and A. E. Clarke (Eds.), Women's health: Complexities and differences (Ch. 13). Ohio University Press. View file:
Lydon, J., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Cohan, C. L., & Pierce, T. (1996). Pregnancy decision making as a significant life event: A commitment approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71(1), 141-151. View file:
Tatsugawa, Z., Fox, M.A., Fang, C., Novak, J., Cantor, R., Bass, H., Dunkel-Schetter, C., Crandall, B. F., & Grody, W. W.(1994). Education and testing strategy for large-scale cystic fibrosis carrier screening. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 3(4), 279-289. View file:
Lydon, J., & Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1994). Seeing is committing: A longitudinal study of bolstering commitment in amniocentesis patients. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 20(2), 218-227. View file:
Cohan, C. L., Dunkel-Schetter, C., & Lydon, J. (1993). Pregnancy decision-making: Predictors of early stress and adjustment. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 17, 223-239. View file:
Engle, P. L., Scrimshaw, S. C. M., Zambrana, R. E., & Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1990). Prenatal and postnatal anxiety in Mexican American women giving birth in Los Angeles. Health Psychology, 9(3), 285-299. View file:
InfertilityPasch, L.A., Dunkel-Schetter, C. & Christensen, A. (2002). Differences between husbands' and wives' approach to infertility affect marital communication and adjustment. Fertility and Sterility, 77(6), 1241-1247.View file:
Pasch, L.A. & Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1997). Fertility problems: Complex issues faced by women and couples. In S. J. Gallant, G. P. Keita, & R. Royak-Schaler (Eds.), Health care for women: Psychological, social, and behavioral influences (187-201). Washington D.C.: American Psychological Association. View file:
Stanton, A. L., & Dunkel-Schetter, C. (Eds.), (1991). Infertility: Perspectives from stress and coping research. New York: Plenum. View file: Request from Authors Stanton, A. L., & Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1991). Psychological adjustment to infertility: An overview of conceptual approaches. In A. L. Stanton and C. A. Dunkel-Schetter (Eds.) Infertility: Perspectives from stress and coping research (pp. 3-16). New York: Plenum. View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C., & Lobel, M. (1991). Psychological reactions to infertility. In A. L. Stanton and C. A. Dunkel-Schetter (Eds.), Infertility: Perspectives from stress and coping research (pp. 29-57). New York: Plenum. View file:
Campbell, S., Dunkel-Schetter, C., & Peplau. L. A. (1991). Perceived control and adjustment to infertility among women undergoing in vitro fertilization. In A. L. Stanton and C. A. Dunkel-Schetter (Eds.), Infertility: Perspectives from stress and coping research (pp. 133-156). New York: Plenum. View file: Request from Authors Dunkel-Schetter, & C. Stanton, A. (1991). Psychological adjustment to infertility: Future directions in research and application. In A. L. Stanton and C. A. Dunkel-Schetter (Eds.), Infertility: Perspectives from stress and coping research (pp. 197-222). New York: Plenum. View file:
CopingFolkman, S., Lazarus, R.S., Dunkel-Schetter, C., DeLongis, A., & Gruen, R.J. (2000). The dynamics of a stressful encounter. Reprinted in T. Higgins & A.W. Kruglanski, (Eds.) Motivational Science: Social and Personality Perspectives. Psychology Press/Taylor & Francis Psychology Press/Taylor & Francis: Philadelphia, PA, 111-127.View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C., Wadhwa, P., & Stanton, A. L (Eds.). (2000). Stress and reproduction [Special section]. Health Psychology, 19(6), 507-509. View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C., Feinstein, L.G., Taylor, S.E., & Falke, R.L. (2000). Patterns of coping with cancer. Reprinted in R.M Suinn and G.R. VandenBos (Eds.) Cancer Patients and Their Families: Readings on Disease Course, Coping, and Psychological Interventions. (35-51). Washington D.C.: American Psychological Association. View file:
Nyamathi, A., Wayment, H., & Dunkel-Schetter, C. (1993). Psychosocial correlates of emotional distress and risk behavior in African-American women at risk for HIV infection. Anxiety, Stress, and Coping, 6, 133-148. View file:
Dunkel-Schetter, C., Feinstein, L. G., Taylor, S. E., & Falke, R. (1992). Patterns of coping with cancer (Lead article). Health Psychology, 11(2), 79-87. View file:
Folkman, S., Lazarus, R. S., Dunkel-Schetter, C., DeLongis, A., & Gruen, R. (1986). Dynamics of a stressful encounter: Cognitive appraisal, coping, and encounter outcomes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50(5), 992-1003. View file:
OtherWong, L.H., Dunkel-Schetter, C. Ritcher, L., Gray, G., McIntyre, J.A., Van Rooyen, H., Modiba, P., Coates, T. (2009). Test and tell: Correlates and consequences of testing and disclosure of HIV status in South Africa for project accept. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, 50(2), 215-222. View file: |
