Majerovitz, Deborah

Overview

Curriculum Vitae

  1. Education


    Degree Institution Field Dates
    PhD  City University of New York Graduate Center  Social and Personality Psychology  1993 
    MA  City University of New York Graduate Center  Psychology  1990 
    BA  Swarthmore College  Psychology  1982 

  2. Full-Time Academic Experience


    Institution Rank Field Dates
    York College, City University of New York  Professor  Psychology  1998-present 
    State University of New York at Stony Brook Medical School  Clinical Assistant Professor  Psychiatry  1995-1996 

  3. Part-Time Academic Experience


    Institution Rank Field Dates
    Lehman College  Adjunct Assistant Professor  Psychology  1997 
    Kingsborough Community College  Adjunct Lecturer  Psychology  1991 

  4. Non Academic Experience


    Place of Employment Title Date
    Beacon of Hope House (Catholic Charities of New York City)  Director of Research  1997-1998 
    Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Dept. of Psychiatry  Project Director  1996-1997 
    Winthrop-University Hospital, Division of Geriatrics  Research Investigator  1993-1996 

  5. Employment Record At This Institution

    Rank Dates
    Professor  2007-present 
    Department Chair  2002-2007 
    Associate Professor  2002-2007 
    Assistant Professor  1998-2002 

  6. Publications In Field Of Expertise

    1. Books:
    2. Papers in Professional Journals:
      1. Articles:

        Majerovitz, S.D., Rudder, C., Mollott, R.. "We’re on the same side: Improving communication between nursing home and family." Health Communication. 24 2009: 12-20.

        Majerovitz, S.D.. "Predictors of Burden and Depression Among Nursing Home Family Caregivers." Aging and Mental Health. 11 2007: 323-329.

        Berger, J.T., & Majerovitz, S.D.. "Patients’ Interests in their Family Members’ Well-Being: An Overlooked, Fundamental Consideration within Substituted Judgments." Journal of Clinical Ethics. 13 2005: 108-115.

        Majerovitz, S.D.. "Formal and informal supports among spouse caregivers to individuals with dementia." Journal of Mental Health and Aging. 7 2001: 413-423.

        Foldi, N.S., Majerovitz, S.D., Sheikh, K., & Rodriguez, E. "The Test for Severe Impairment: Validity with the Dementia Rating Scale and utility as a longitudinal measure." Clinical Neuropsychologist. 13 1999: 1-8.

        Berger, J.T., & Majerovitz, S.D. "Stability of preferences for treatment among nursing home residents." Gerontologist. 38 1998: 217-223.

        Majerovitz, S.D., Greene, M.G., Adelman, R.D., Brody, G.M., Leber, K., & Healy, S.W.. "Older patients’ understanding of medical information received in the emergency department." Health Communication. 9 1997: 237-251.

        Greene, M.G., Adelman, R.D., & Majerovitz, S.D.. "Physician and older patient support in the medical encounter.." Health Communication. 8 1996: 263-279.

        Majerovitz, S.D.. "The role of family adaptability in the psychological adjustment of spouse caregivers to patients with dementia." Psychology and Aging. 10 1995: 447-457.

        Greene, M.G., Majerovitz, S.D., Adelman, R.D., & Rizzo, C.. "The effect of the presence of a third person on communication in the geriatric visit.." Journal American Geriatrics Society. 42 1994: 413-419.

        Majerovitz, S.D., & Revenson, T.A.. "Sexuality and chronic illness: The significance of gender.." Arthritis Care and research. 7 1994: 29-34.

        Revenson, T.A. and Majerovitz, S.D.. "The effects of chronic illness on the spouse: Social resources as stress buffers." Arthritis Care and Research. 4 1991: 63-72.

        Revenson, T.A., Schiaffino, K.M., Majerovitz, S.D., & Gibofsky, A.. "Social support as a double- edged sword: The relation of positive and problematic support to depression among rheumatoid arthritis patients." Social Science and Medicine. 33 1991: 807-813.

        Revenson, T.A., & Majerovitz, S.D.. "Spouses’ support provision to chronically ill patients." Journal Social and Pesonal Relationships. 7 1990: 575-586.

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      2. Proceedings:
        1. Refereed Proceedings

          Levine, G., Majerovitz, D., Schnur, E., Robinson, C., & Soman, C.. "Improving the self-esteem of at-risk youth." Northeastern Educational Research Association Conference Proceedings. 2008: .

          Levine, G., Majerovitz, D., Schnur, E., Robinson, C., & Soman, C.. "Encouraging Healthy Lifestyle Choices Among At-Risk Youth: The Resolve Program." Northeastern Educational Research Association Conference Proceedings. 2009: Paper 2.

          . "." . : .

        2. Non-Refereed Proceedings
    3. Chapters in Books:

      Majerovitz, S.D.. "Physical Health and Illness." Handbook of Girls’ and Women’s Psychological Health. 2006: 379-387.

      Revenson, T.A., Abraído-Lanza, A.F., Majerovitz, S.D., & Jordan, C. "Couples' coping with chronic illness: What's gender got to do with it?." Emerging perspectives on couples' coping with stress. 2005: 137-156.

    4. Government Reports or Monographs
    5. Book Reviews:

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  7. Other Publications

    1. Books:
    2. Papers in Professional Journals:
      1. Articles:
      2. Proceedings:
        1. Refereed Proceedings
        2. Non-Refereed Proceedings
    3. Chapters in Books:
    4. Government Reports or Monographs
    5. Book Reviews:

  8. Presented Papers, Lectures, And Exhibitions And Performances

    "" : .

    "Weight, body image, and the cultural meaning of food: Do early experiences with weight and food affect adult attitudes toward healthy eating and adult BMI (with Z. Hyman)." August, 2015: Presented at the York College Summer Research Program Poster Session. Jamaica, NY..

    "Weight, body image, and the cultural meaning of food: Predictors of discrepancy between real and ideal body image for ethnic minority women. (with S. Hiromi)." August, 2015: Presented at the York College Summer Research Program Poster Session. Jamaica, NY..

    "How do ethnicity, attitude towards weight, body image, and food affect perceived ideal body type and actual body type. (with M. Noor)." August, 2014: Presented at the York College Summer Research Program Poster Session. Jamaica, NY..

    "Predictors of depression, burden, and guilt in children, grandchildren, and children-in-law caregivers. (with M. Rodie)" August, 2014: Presented at the York College Summer Research Program Poster Session. Jamaica, NY..

    "The effects of family and ethnicity on the BMI of women. (with M. Superville)" August, 2014: Presented at the York College Summer Research Program Poster Session. Jamaica, NY..

    "Do the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behavior Predict BMI, Diet, and Exercise Behaviors for Ethnic Minority Women? (with P. Saha)" August, 2013: Presented at the York College Summer Research Program Poster Session. Jamaica, NY..

    "Weight, Body Image, and the Cultural Meaning of Food. (with D. Toussaint)" March, 2013: Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. New York, NY..

    "Supporting family caregivers to nursing home residents: Social Support as a key predictor of lower burden and depression" November, 2012: Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America. San Diego, CA..

    "Weight, Body Image, and the Cultural Meaning of Food. (with Debra Toussaint)" April, 2012: Presented at York College Student Research Day. Jamaica , NY..

    "Love is a battlefield: How families deal with issues related to their aging loved ones" May, 2009: Invited panel presentation, Senior Umbrella Network of Brooklyn mini-conference. Brooklyn, NY..

    "Supporting family caregivers in a multicultural society" September, 2008: Provost's Lecture Series, York College.

    "Perceptions of elder care in an international college setting in NY City (with D. Ajuluchukwu)" November, 2007: Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting.

    "Improving communication between nursing home and family(with R. Mollott & C. Rudder)" November, 2006: Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting.

    "Raised to care for our own: Changing values and caregiving" August, 2006: American Psychological Association Annual Meeting.

    "Predictors of burden among nursing home family caregivers" November, 2005: Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting.

    "How to improve nursing home working conditions? Staff know best (with Mollott, R., & Rudder, C.)" November, 2005: Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting.

    "Concern for family burden and preferences for dementia research (with Berger, J.T.)" November, 2004: Gerontological Society of America.

    "The survey of caregiving attitudes: A new tool for understanding cultural differences in caregiving research" November, 2003: Gerontological Society of America.

    "The changed relationshipA comparison of spouses and other kin adusting to nursing home placement (with Steinmayer, K., Singh, G., & Abrams, N.)" November, 2002: Gerontological Society of America.

    "From American Indian women to Puerto Rican feminists to female students at York College: Fishman, Waldman, and Majerovitz on women and work (with Fishman, L., & Waldman, G.)" November, 2001: York College Faculty Forum.

    "Women's Health for the New Century" March, 2001: York College Women's History Month Lecture Series.

    "Only the place has changed: Maintaining a spousal role after nursing home admission (with Mentor-Portillo, M, & Basdeo, P)" November, 2000: Gerontological Society of America.

    "The nursing home placement experience for the spouse who remains at home: Developing a grounded theory of psychological adjustment. (with Mentor-Portillo, M., & Basdeo, P.)" April, 2000: Northeastern Anthropological Society.

    "Mother bashing: Why psychologists blame women for everything" March, 2000: York College Women's History Month program.

    "Correlates of psychological adjustment among spouses of newly admitted nursing home residents (with Mentor-Portillo, M.)" November, 1999: National Minority Research Symposium.

    "Women in the middle: Changing roles and conflicting responsibilities of work and family care" March, 1999: York College Women's History Month program.

    "The Test for Severe Impairment: Validation against the Dementia Rating Scale (with Foldi, N., Sheikh, K., & Rodriguez, E." July, 1998: International Neuropsychological Society.

    "Validity and reliability of The Test for Severe Impairment (with Foldi, N., Rodriguez, E., & Sheikh, K)" May, 1997: State University of New York at Stony Brook Medical School, Annual Research Conference.

    "Communication in first and follow-up physician-older patient medical visits (with Greene, M., Adelman, R., Rizzo, C.)" November, 1996: Gerontological Society of America.

    "Caregiving voices: A qualitative analysis of positive and negative themes raised by spouse caregivers (with Rodriguez, E.)" November, 1995: Gerontological Society of America.

    "A longitudinal study of the physician-elderly patient relationship (with Greene, M., Adelman, R., Rizzo, C.)" November, 1995: Gerontological Society of America.

    "Formal versus informal support: Stress buffering among dementia caregivers" August, 1995: American Psychological Association.

    "The role of family adaptability in psychological adjustment of spouse caregivers of dementia patients" December, 1994: Winthrop-University Hospital, Basic Science Lecture Series.

    "Interpersonal care of older patients in the emergency department (with Greene, M., Adelman, R., Brody, G. & Healy, S.)" November, 1994: Gerontological Society of America.

    "Family adaptability and predictors of burden for spouse caregivers to dementia patients" November, 1993: Gerontological Society of America.

    "Reducing nosocomial clostridium difficile colitis: A test of the tympanic membrane thermometer (with Grogan, K)" November, 1993: Gerontological Society of America.

    "Reciprocity of support among couples facing a chronic illness (with Revenson, T.A.)" August, 1993: American Psychological Association.

    "). Sexual satisfaction and chronic illness: The relevance of gender (with Revenson, T.A.)" August, 1992: American Psychological Association.

    "Sexuality and rheumatic disease" April, 1992: Arthritis Health Professionals Association.

    "Long-term provision of support: Stability and change in social networks (with Schiaffino, K. & Revenson, T.A.)" August, 1991: American Psychological Association.

    "An evaluation of the “Bridge” program: An expedited hospital discharge program for home care patients in New York City" November, 1990: Gerontological Society of America.

    "Social support as stress-buffer for spouses of rheumatoid arthritis patients (with Revenson, T.A.)" October, 1990: Arthritis Health Professions Association.

    "Living with a chronically ill spouse: Network support as stress buffer (with Revenson, T.A.)" August, 1990: American Psychological Association.

    "The impact of rheumatoid arthritis on the spouse. (with Revenson, T.A.)" June, 1990: Northeast Chapter Arthritis Health Professions Association.

    "The role of self-efficacy beliefs in adaptation to rheumatoid arthritis (with Schiaffino, K, & Revenson, T.A.)" August, 1989: American Psychological Association.

    "Dimensions of social supportamong recently-diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients (with Revenson, T.A. & Schiaffino, K.)" March, 1989: Society for Behavioral Medicine.

    "Social support among rheumatoid arthritis patients (with Revenson, T.A., & Schiaffino, K.)" November, 1988: Gerontological Society of America.

    "Assessment of coping efficacy within the context of chronic illness (with Revenson, T.A., & Schiaffino, K.)" August, 1988: American Psychological Association.

  9. Patents

    None

  10. Work In Progress

    1. Books in progress:
    2. Papers in Progress:
    3. Papers submitted to journals for consideration:
    4. Research in progress:

  11. Professional Honors, Prizes, Fellowships

    American Psychological Association Dissertation Award: 1992.

    Belle Zeller Fellowship, Professional Staff Congress, CUNY: 1990-1991.

    Gerontological Society of America Predoctoral Fellow: 1990.

    Arthritis Foundation, New York Chapter. Summer Student Fellowship: 1988.

  12. Grants-In-Aid

    Professional Staff Congress, City University of New York., Why do I keep eating when I know I shouldn't: identity, body image, stereotype threat. 2018-2019: .

    Professional Staff Congress, City University of New York., Weight, body image and the cultural meaning of food. 2011-2012: .

    Professional Staff Congress, City University of New York., Validation of the Cultural Attitudes and Caregiving Scale. 2005-2006: .

    Professional Staff Congress, City University of New York., Kinship and family cohesion in the nursing home: A qualitative analysis. 2003-2004: .

    Professional Staff Congress, City University of New York., The impact of caregiving responsibilities on academic performance. 2000-2001: .

    National Institutes of Health, MBRS Program, The impact of nursing home placement on the psychological adjustment of Family Caregivers. 2000-2003: $105,000.

    Professional Staff Congress, CUNY, The experience of placing a spouse with dementia in a nursing home. 1999-2000: .

    National Institute of Mental Health, B/START Program, Adjustment to a demented spouse’s nursing home placement. 1995-1996: $25,000.

    Professional Staff Congress, City University of New York., Cultural Attitudes and Caregiving.. 2007-2008: .

  13. Institutional Service

    1. Service to the Department

      Chair, Academic Program Review: 2013-2014; 2018-2019.

      Department Chair: 2002-2008; 2015-2017.

      Department P&B: 2001-2017.

      Department Curriculum Committee: 1999-present.

      Search committees, multiple: 1999-present.

    2. Service to the School
    3. Service to the College

      PSC Grievance Officer: 2018-present.

      IRB/HRPP Coordinator: 2016-present.

      Vice Chair, IRB: 2000-2010.

      General Education Reform Steering Committee/FIG leader: 2009-2010.

      General Education Reform Faculty Inquiry Group: 2008-2009.

      Advisement Committee: 2006-2010.

      Middle States Steering Committee: 2007-2008.

      LAST/TEAC committees, Teacher Education Department: several terms, 2009-2011.

      Social Work Advisory Board: 2007-2011.

      College Curriculum Committee - Dept. Representative: 2000-2002.

      Director - York College Honors Program: 2000-2002.

      Women's Studies Program Advisory Board: 1999-2002.

      MARC Program research mentor: 1999-2002.

    4. Service to the Graduate Center

      MA project mentor - Developmental Psychology: 2004-2010.

    5. Service to the University

      Dissertation committee at Queens College: 2007-2010.

      Outside reader - Queens College dissertation committee: 2005.

      University Faculty Senate - alternate representative: 1999-2000; 2019-present.

      PSC CUNY Research Grant - Psychology Review Panel: 2007-2010.

      PSC CUNY Research Grant Reviewer - annual: .

  14. Offices Held In Professional Societies

  15. Other Professional Activities And Public Service

    Board Member - Nursing Home Community Coalition of New York State: 2002 - 2009.

    Ad Hoc Journal Reviewer: Arthritis Care and Research, Chronic Illness, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships: 1993-present.

  16. Teaching Activities At This Institution

    1. Courses Taught (List)
      Course Description
      PSY 214  Lifespan Development for Health Professions 
      PSY 215  Human Development I 
      PSY 216  Human Development II 
      PSY 280  Psychology of Aging 
      PSY 283  Death and Dying 
      PSY 330  Research Methods in Psychology 
      PSY 334/234  Theories of Personality 
      PSY 340  Clinical Health Psychology 
      PSY 381  Psychological Consequences of Disability 
      PSY 390  Community Psychology 
      PSY 430  Experimental Psychology 
    2. New courses/programs developed (list):

      PSY 390, Community Psychology.

      , Two Honors Program seminars - Cross cultural perspectives on gender roles and Gender Dynamics in The Twentieth Century (with Profs. Ballantyne and Fishman).

      , Substantial revisions to PSY 381 - Psychological Consequences of Chronic Disability.

      , Committees to develop PSY 330 and 430.