Kristin E. Heron, Ph.D.

Dr. Heron’s research interests are broadly in clinical health psychology, with a specific focus on health behaviors including disordered eating and physical appearance-related concerns, as well as a range of other health behaviors. She also is particularly interested in studying these health behaviors and processes in sexual minority and racial minority groups. Much of her work aims to assess and understand the dynamic states and experiences (e.g., mood, symptoms, behaviors) in people’s everyday lives, and how this information can be used to inform theory, enhance understanding of behavior and disease processes, and improve interventions. Her research frequently uses ecological momentary assessment (EMA) techniques to allow people to report on their current or recent contextual, physical, social, cognitive, behavioral, and/or affective states. These studies typically rely on mobile technology, including smartphones and/or wearable sensors to facilitate intensive real-time data collection. In addition to her work with EMA, she is also interested in developing psychological and health behavior interventions that can be delivered using mobile technology. Referred to as ecological momentary interventions (EMI), or just-in-time (JIT) interventions, this treatment strategy allows researchers and clinicians to provide people with real-time support in their daily lives to encourage improved psychosocial functioning and behavior change.

Email: kheron@odu.edu