David M. Huebner, Ph.D.

Research Interests

Broadly, my program of research examines the physical and mental health consequences of discrimination. A large body of research documents that individuals from historically marginalized groups (e.g., gay and lesbian individuals, ethnic minorities, and women) suffer disproportionately from mental and physical illness. My work seeks to understand what causes these disparities and what can be done to prevent them from continuing. Specifically, some of my research examines how discrimination is associated with physical and mental health, with an emphasis on exploring the psychological, physiological, and behavioral mechanisms for these associations. My lab recently completed a 5-year NIMH-funded study of LGB adolescents, looking at how anti-gay mistreatment from families, schools, and communities is associated with their health risk behaviors. Building on our findings demonstrating the importance of parent responses to adolescent outcomes, we produced a 35-minute documentary film, designed to provide support, comfort, and guidance for parents (www.leadwithlovefilm.com). Our goal is to get parents to engage in more accepting and fewer rejecting behaviors toward their adolescents, with the goal of improving outcomes for these youth. In addition, I am currently involved in a number of projects related to HIV prevention in gay and bisexual men, including young men, men who frequent bathhouses, and African American men.

Opportunities For Students

Beginning in the summer of 2016, I will be leaving my position at the University of Utah to take a position in the Department of Prevention and Community Health in the Milken Institute of Public Health at George Washington University in Washington, DC.  At George Washington I will be accepting applications from doctoral students interested in a PhD or DrPH in Public Health.

Education

M.P.H., University of California, Berkeley (Epidemiology, 2003)
Ph.D., Arizona State University (Clinical Psychology, 2002)
Internship, University of Washington School of Medicine (APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology Internship, 2001-2002)
M.A., Arizona State University (Clinical Psychology, 1998)
B.A. Summa Cum Laude, Duke University (Psychology and German, 1995)

Selected Publications

Huebner, D. M., Kegeles, S. M., Rebchook, G. M., Neilands, T. B., Johnson, W. D., & Eke, A. N. (in press). Social oppression, psychological vulnerability, and unprotected intercourse among young black men who have sex with men. Health Psychology.

Huebner, D. M., Rullo, J. E., Thoma, B. C., McGarrity, L., Mackenzie, J. (2013). Piloting Lead with Love: A film-based campaign to improve parents’ responses to their lesbian, gay, and bisexual children. Journal of Primary Prevention, 34, 359-369.

Diamond, L. M., & Huebner, D. M. (2012). Is good sex good for you? Rethinking sexuality and health. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 6, 54-69.

Huebner, D. M., Mandic, C. G., *Mackaronis, J. E., Boeugher, S. C., & Hoff, C. C. (2012). The impact of parenting on gay male couples’ relationships, sexuality, and HIV risk. Journal of Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 1, 106-119.

Huebner, D. M., Neilands, T., Rebchook, G. M., & Kegeles, S. M. (2011). Sorting through chickens and eggs: A longitudinal examination of the associations between attitudes, norms, and sexual risk behavior. Health Psychology, 30, 110-118.

Ryan, C., Huebner, D. M., Diaz, R. M., & Sanchez, J. (2009). Family rejection as a predictor of negative health outcomes in White and Latino LGB young adults. Pediatrics, 123, 346-352.

Huebner, D. M., & Davis, M. C. (2007). Perceived anti-gay discrimination and physical health outcomes. Health Psychology, 26, 627-634.

My Current Graduate Students

Brian Thoma
Larissa McGarrity
Nicholas Perry
Leigh Spivey