Faculty/Staff Information
Deborah Brannan
Dr. Brannan , Psychological Sciences Department
503-751-4200 | brannand@wou.edu
TODD 330
Why I chose WOU
WOU gives you a private school education on a state school dime. You will LOVE WOU!!!At WOU since
01/03/2011Hobbies
Now with COVID-19, my favorite hobby is glamping 🙂Fun fact
I am a fifth generation Oregonian and the first in my family to get a Ph.D.Hometown
Grants Pass, OregonFavorite book/movie
Anything with DenzelCourse schedule
Winter 2021CRN | Course | Title | Times | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
21442 | OL627 | LDRSHP:KEYS MNTL & PHYSCL HLTH | - | ONLINE CRS |
20125 | PSY202 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY | M 1200-1350 | ONLINE CRS |
21092 | OL494 | LEADING ACROSS CULTURES | - | ONLINE CRS |
21093 | OL594 | LEADING ACROSS CULTURES | - | ONLINE CRS |
21331 | PSY334 | SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY | M 1730-1920 | ONLINE CRS |
21013 | PSY301 | INTRODUCTION RESEARCH METHODS | MW 0800-0950 | ONLINE CRS |
Education
Ph.D., Portland State University, Applied Psychology, 2010
Dissertation: The Effects of Daily Social Support on Drinking
Major- Applied Social Psychology
Minor- Research Methods
Advisor: Dr. Cynthia Mohr
M.S., Portland State University, Applied Psychology, 2007
Thesis: Direct and Buffering Effects of Daily Positive Events
Advisor: Dr. Cynthia Mohr
B.S., Portland State University, Psychology, 2004
Teaching focus
At WOU my core classes have been research methods, cross-cultural psychology, industrial- organizational psychology, mental health and aging and mental health. With that said I have also taught research design, psychology of addictive behaviors, ethics, personality, human relations, health psychology, developmental psychology, motivation, introduction to personality, and survey of psychology. In addition, as a teaching assistant I have had the opportunity to lecture extensively in experimental psychology, human sexuality, men and masculinity, and general psychology. Of all my classes, I am particularly interested in teaching health psychology, psychology of addictive behaviors, industrial-organizational psychology, cross-cultural psychology and research methods (qualitative, qualitative, program evaluation). Also, I always enjoy teaching social psychology as well as mental health and human relations.
Research areas
- Diverse populations
- Social support
- Non-traditional students – success and struggles
- Work-family-school balance
- Work and School Recovery
- Psychosocial influences on health
- Positive mood buffering
- Physical and mental health
- Age and mental health
- Culture and well-being
Professional experience
Experience
Data-analysist qualitative consultant, May 2020 – Present
University of Miami, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Dr. Alberto J. Caban-Martinez
· Currently in the first phase of organizing and examining a large qualitative dataset related to a volunteer firefighter study.
· Analyze large focus group and interview data. Develop themes and assist with creating hypotheses.
· Much of the data collection was from a global population; thus, culture was/is an important component in analyzing and reporting data.
· Assisted medical doctors and epidemiologists to recognize unique barriers encountered by Black firefighters and helped consider options to increase safety and health awareness.
Assistant Professor, 2011 – Present
Western Oregon University, Behavioral Sciences Division – Monmouth, Oregon
● Prepare course material, teach classes on industrial and organizational psychology, occupational health psychology, social psychology, and mental health.
o Educate a very diverse student group, many who are older, minorities, and low income.
● Lead and collaborate on multiple local, national, and international research studies.
● Recognized by the CDC for “The Most Talked About Article in 2016” related to changing health behaviors and supporting walking meetings: https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2016/16_0111.htm
● Conduct focus groups, interviews, surveys, daily diary studies, and perform structural equation modeling, hierarchical modeling, general descriptive and inferential statistics, and repeated-measures analyses.
● Collaborate with a variety of disciplines (e.g., nurses, aging population, culturally diverse ESOL teachers, attorneys, medical doctors, epidemiologists, students).
● Present research findings to diverse audiences.
Journal Editor, 2016 – Present
Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research, Headquarters – Chattanooga, TN
● Review and edit articles for federal regulation ethical compliance, for use of appropriate methodology, and APA guidelines.
● Team leader of five associate editors, one student assistant, and a managing editor.
● Create and disseminate quarterly board of director reports, which offer biannual statistics for the journal and any milestones and budget.
● Mentor and support the editorial team and represent the journal at conferences.
Intern, 2010
Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente – Portland, Oregon
● Collaborated with a sophisticated team of researchers on various health-related projects.
● Used Excel and SPSS to code and analyze large-scale statewide data sets.
● Recruited participants and participated in group planning with OHSU and Johns Hopkins University.
● Prepared data for presentations; responsible for troubleshooting complicated data sets. In addition, prepared and participated in a cost analysis, as well as conducted multilevel longitudinal data analyses.
● Analyzed and examined confidential health records; HIPPA trained and certified at OHSU and Johns Hopkins. Data included highly sensitive health records and information.
Awards and honors
2013 Western Oregon University Psychology Students Association Teacher of the Year
Current research
Dr. Brannan is currently working with her team to further understand how work-family-school balance impacts the lives of non-traditional students.
Dr. Brannan and her research team has teamed up with the Reynolds Defense Firm to support, analyze, and validate the Blue Binder Project. The intervention, created by the Reynolds Defense Firm, employs concrete psychological practices in order to assist people through the difficult experience of receiving a DUII. Dr. Brannan and her team collects information at three different time points in order to understand the long lasting effects of this intervention.
The Home Health Occupations – Musculoskeletal Examinations (HHOME) pilot study was
supported by funding form the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
PI: Rose Goldman, MD, MPH
Co-PI and Project Leader: Lauren Murphy, Ph.D.
Co-PI: Alberto J. Caban-Martinez, DO, Ph,D. MPH, CPH
Co-PI: Debi Brannan, Ph.D.
Study of College Students’ Daily Work/Family/School Life
PI: Debi Brannan, Ph.D.
Co-PI: Lauren Murphy, Ph.D.
Reflective ESOL Teaching Volunteer-Run Community Classes
PI: Debi Brannan, Ph.D.
Co-PI: Tasha Bleistein, Ph.D.
Health and Wellness Program: An examination of ESOL teachers and immigrants
PI: Debi Brannan, Ph.D.
Co-PI: Tasha Bleisten, Ph.D.
Examination of Novice ESOL Teachers’ Perceptions of Social Support and Self-Efficacy
PI: Debi Brannan, Ph.D.
Co-PI: Tasha Bleisten, Ph.D.
The Language of Gratitude
PI: Debi Brannan, Ph.D.
PI: David Foster, Ph.D.
Cross-Cultural Study of Support, Stress and Well-Being
PI: Debi Brannan, Ph.D.
Motivational Models of Alcohol Consumption
PI: Cynthia Mohr, Ph.D.
International Study of Well-Being
PI: Cynthia Mohr, Ph.D.
Publications and Presentations
PUBLICATIONS
Kling, H.E., Moore, K. J., Brannan, D., & Caban-Martinez AJ. (2020). Walking meeting effects of productivity and mood among white-collar workers: Evidence from the Walking Meeting Pilot Study. Journal of Occupational Environmental Medicine, 23 - online ahead of print.
Kling, H.E., Yang, X., Messiah, S.E., Arheart, K.L., Brannan, D., & Caban-Martinez AJ. (2016). Opportunities for increased physical activity in the workplace: Evidence from the walking meeting (WaM) pilot study. Preventing Chronic Disease, 13.
Brannan, D. (2015). The benefits of a bigger toolbox: Mixed methods in psychological research. Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research, 20 (4), 258-263.
Kling, H.E., Yang, X., Arheart, K.L., Brannan, D., & Caban-Martinez, A.J. (2015). Occupational physical activity levels among white-collar workers participating in a novel walking meeting protocol. Annals of Epidemiology, 25.
Huntley, S.R., Kling, H.E., Yang, X., Arheart, K.L., Brannan, D., & Caban-Martinez, A.J. (2015). Musculoskeletal pain severity and occupational physical activity: Evidence from the Walking Meeting (WaM) Pilot Study. Annals of Epidemiology, 25, 708.
Brannan, D., Davis, A., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2016). The Science of Forgiveness: Examining the Influence of Forgiveness on Mental Health. Encyclopedia of Mental Health, 2nd Edition, pp. 253-256. Elsevier.
Arpin, S., Mohr, C.D., & Brannan, D. (2015). Having friend and feeling lonely: A daily process examination of transient loneliness, socialization and drinking behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 41(5), 615 – 628.
Johnson, R., Harold, M., Cochran, D., Brannan, D., & Bleistein, T. (2014). An examination of the first years: Novice ESOL teachers’ experiences with loneliness and stress, Pure Insights, 3(1). Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.wou.edu/pure/vol3/iss1/8
Brannan, D. & Mohr, C.D. (2013). Friendship, Love and Social Support. In R. Biswas-Diener & E. Diener (Eds), Noba textbook series: Psychology. Champaign, IL: DEF Publishers. DOI: www.nobaproject.com
Mohr, C.D., Brannan, D., Wendt, S., Jacobs, L., Wright, R., & Wang, M. (2013).
Daily mood-drinking slopes as predictors: A new take on drinking motives and related outcomes. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. doi:10.1037/a0032633
Thurman, S. (2013). Case Study – The Parkinson’s Experience. PURE Insights, 2 (1), (Brannan – Faculty Advisor).
Brannan, D., Biswas-Diener, R., Mohr, C.D. Mortazavi, S. & Stein, N. (2012). Friends and family, a cross-cultural investigation of social support and subjective well- being, Journal of Positive Psychology, 8(1), 65-75. DOI:10.1080/17439760.2012.743573
Brannan, D. & Bleinsten, T. (2012). Novice ESOL teachers’ perceptions of social support and self-efficacy, TESOL Quarterly, 46, 519-541. DOI: 10.1002/tesq.40
Sturm, D., Conkey, E., Nibler, N., Brannan, D. & Bleistein, T. (2012). Gender and optimism as predictors of novice ESOL teaching performance, PURE Insights, 1(8) 35-41.
Mohr, C.D., Brannan, D., Mohr, J. Armeli, S., & Tennen H. (2008). Evidence for the positive mood buffering among college student drinkers, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 34, 1249-1259.
Presentations
Brannan, D. (2018). Social Justice, Power and Inequities: Why We Should Care. An invited speaker at the Presidential Plenary, Western Oregon University, Academic Excellence Showcase, Monmouth, OR.
Brannan, D. (2018). Examining the Interplay between Diversity, Justice, and Sustainability through a Psi Chi Lens. An invited speaker at the annual meeting of the Association for the Psychological Sciences. San Francisco, CA.
Brannan, D. (2018). Social Justice, Power and Inequities: Why We Should Care. An invited speaker at the Presidential Plenary, Western Oregon University, Academic Excellence Showcase, Monmouth, OR.
Brannan, D. (2018). Examining the Interplay between Diversity, Justice, and Sustainability through a Psi Chi Lens. An invited speaker at the annual meeting of the Association for the Psychological Sciences. San Francisco, CA.
Student presentations
PRESENTATIONS WITH STUDENTS:
Denning, E., Payne, D., & Brannan, D., Losco, J., & Murphy, L. (2017). Not All Roles Are the Same: An Examination Between Work-Family-School Satisfaction, Social Integration, and Negative Affect Among College Students. A poster presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR.
Gates, K., Losco, J., Biles, A., Martinez, R., & Brannan, D. (2018). Science and the law: positive psychology interventions for DUII clients. A poster presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, Oregon.
Brannan, D. (2017). Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research – Diversity is Key. An invited speaker at the annual meeting of the Association for the Psychological Sciences. Boston, MA.
Brannan, D. (2017). Psi Chi Journal and the implementation of the Open Science Badges. An invited speaker at the annual meeting of the Association for the Psychological Sciences. Boston, MA.
Denning, E., Payne, D., & Brannan, D. (2017). A mixed methods approach to understanding how college influences satisfaction with life for non-traditional students. A poster presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, San Antonio, TX.
Denning, E., Payne, D., Cole, B. & Brannan, D. (2017). Examining the Work-Family- School Demands of Non-Traditional College Students and their Satisfaction with Life; A Mixed Methods Approach. A poster presented at the annual meeting of the Oregon Academy of Sciences.
Brannan, D., Kling HE, Yang X., & Caban-Martinez AJ. (2017). Opportunities for Increased Physical Activity in the Workplace: The Walking Meeting (WaM) Pilot Study. A poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, San Antonio, TX.
Brannan, D. (2015). The Biopsychosocial Considerations of drugs in the workplace. Invited speaker at Portland Employer Drug-Free Initiative – Breakfast Forum.
Brannan, D. (2015). Understanding the role of social support in health related behaviors. Invited speaker at Portland State University.
Johnson, R.K., Harrold, M., Wester, S., Daquilanto, K. Davis, A., Duhart, S., Palmer, M., Brannan, D., & Foster, D. (2014). Psychological well-being and using cognitive processing during an expressive letter writing exercise. Presented at Academic Excellence Showcase. Monmouth, OR.
Brannan, D., Arpin, S., & Mohr, C.D. (2014). The buffering effects of socially supportive exchanges on affect variability-drinking relationships. A poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Austin, TX.
Johnson, R.K., Harrold, M., Wester, S., Daquilanto, K. Davis, A., Duhart, S., Palmer, M., Brannan, D., & Foster, D. (2014). Psychological well-being and using cognitive processing during an expressive letter writing exercise. Presented at Western Psychological Association, Portland, Oregon.
Shimabukuro, L., Cochran, D., Harold, M., Brannan, D., & Bleistein, T. (2013). The influence of loneliness on novice ESOL teaching. A poster presented at the annual Academic Excellence Showcase. Monmouth, OR.
Thurman, S. (2013). A case study: The Parkinson's experience. A poster presented at the annual Academic Excellence Showcase. Monmouth, OR. (Faculty Sponsor – Brannan)
Shimabukuro, L., Cochran, D., Harold, M., Brannan, D., & Bleistein, T. (2013). The influence of loneliness on novice ESOL teaching. A poster presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association. Reno, NV.
Arpin, S., Mohr, C.D., & Brannan, D. (2013) Loneliness, social context, and health behavior: The influence of gender and perceptions of support on responses to daily loneliness. A poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. San Diego, CA.
Brannan, D. (2012). The Social Psychology of Well-Being. Invited Speaker, Portland State University: Advanced Applied Social Psychology Intensive Course. Portland, Oregon.
Harold, M. (2012). Feminist Self-Labeling & Attitudes toward Women (Brannan – Faculty Advisor). Presented at Academic Excellence Showcase. Monmouth, OR
Nibler, N., Conkey, E., & Sturm, D. (2012) Gender and Optimism's Influence on Perceived ESOL Teaching Performance (Brannan – Faculty Advisor). Presented at Academic Excellence Showcase. Monmouth, OR
Nibler, N., Conkey, E., Sturm, D., Brannan, D., & Bleistein, T. (2012) Gender and Optimism's Influence on Perceived ESOL Teaching Performance. A symposium presented at the Oregon Academy of Sciences. Portland, OR.
Conkey, E., Nibler, N. Sturm, D., Brannan, D., & Bleistein, T. (2012) Gender and Optimism's Influence on Perceived ESOL Teaching Performance. A poster presented at Western Psychological Association. San Francisco, CA.
Brannan, D. (2012). Friends and Family: A Cross-Cultural Investigation of Social Support and Subjective Well-Bring. A symposium presented at Western Psychological Association. San Francisco, CA.
Brannan, D. & Mohr, C.D. (2012). Relationships between Social Support on Daily Drinking Behaviors. A poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. San Diego, CA.
Klinkicka, L. Mohr, C.D., Brannan, D. & Arpin, S. (2011). The Correlation of Negative Social Exchanges with Engagement in Health Behaviors. Northwest Eco- Conference. Portland, Oregon.
Lyubhick, N., Klinkicka, L. Mohr, C.D., Brannan, D. & Arpin, S. (2011). The Effects of Social Support and Satisfaction with Life on Drinking Habits. Northwest Eco- Conference. Portland, Oregon
Mohr, C.D., Brannan, D., Wendt, S., Jacobs, L.M & Wang, M. (2011) Capturing the Evidence and Effects of Mood Management. A poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. San Antonio, TX.
Mohr, C.D., Brannan, D., Wendt, S., Jacobs, L.M & Wright, R., (2010) Daily mood- drinking slopes predicting one year alcohol-related outcomes. Alcohol
Epidemiology Symposium of the Kettil Bruun Society. Lausanne, Switzerland.
Mohr, C.D., Brannan, D., Wendt, S., Jacobs, L.M & Wright, R., (2010) Daily mood- drinking slopes predicting one year alcohol-related outcomes. A poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Las Vegas, NV.
Mohr, C.D., Brannan, D., Wendt, S., Wright, R., Jacobs, L.M. (2009). Enthusiasm and drinking: Evidence for positive mood buffering among moderate drinkers. A poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association. Portland, OR.
Brannan, D., Biswas-Diener, R., Mohr, C.D., Stein, N., & Mortazavi, S. (2009). Do my friends and family make me happy: A cross-cultural investigation. A poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Tampa, FL.
Mohr, C.D., Brannan, D., Wendt, S., Wright, R., Jacobs, L.M. (2009). The buffering effects of positive moods on alcohol use. A poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Tampa, FL.
Brannan, D., Mohr, C.D. & Wendt, S. (2006). Psychosocial characteristics of moderate- to-heavy drinkers in the community. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism. Baltimore, MD.
Mohr, C.D., Brannan, D., Vail, R., Freeland, M., & Wendt, S. (2006). Daily process research: Compliance and participant satisfaction. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism. Baltimore, MD.
Brannan, D., Mohr, C.D., Horsey, K., Eksuzian, S., Armeli, S., & Tennen, H. (2005). Daily variability in behavioral social support. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association. Portland, OR.
Mohr, C.D., Brannan, D., Armeli, S., & Tennen, H. (2005). A daily process study of alcohol use and social support. Presentation at Oregon Academy of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
Mohr, C.D., O’Brien, K., Brannan, D., & Cudlike, L. (2005). Positive and negative interpersonal exchanges: A focus group study. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association. Portland, OR.
Brannan, D., C.D., Horsey, K., Eksuzian, S., Armeli, S., & Tennen, H. (2005). Daily variability in behavioral social support. Poster presented at the annual meeting Columbia-Willamette Sigma Xi Student Research Symposium. Portland, OR.
Brannan, D., Mohr, C., Cudlike, L., Ellis, T., Riste-Pater, K., Armeli, S., & Tennen, H. (June, 2004). Alcohol and Social Support II: A Daily Process Study of College Students. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism. Vancouver, BC.
Mohr, C.D., Brannan, D., Armeli, S., & Tennen, H. (June, 2004). Alcohol and Social Support I: A Daily Process Study of Adults. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism. Vancouver, B.C.
Professional memberships
Psi Chi
Western Psychological Association
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
International Association for Relationship Research
American Evaluation Association
Research Society on Alcoholism
Society for Occupational Health Psychology
Oregon Program Evaluators Network (OPEN)
American Psychological Association
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