Heather Patrick
- SPN Mentor
My research interests, broadly defined, include Health (e.g., body image, weight loss, obesity prevention) and Relationships. My research is driven primarily by self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan) and its application to health behavior change and maintenance - and the role of important others in supporting these health endeavors. After spending 3 years working with Drs. Geoffrey C. Williams, Edward L. Deci, and Richard M. Ryan at the University of Rochester, I have recently accepted a position as a Health Scientist/Program Director at the US National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Behavioral Research Program, Health Promotion Research Branch. In my new positon I hope to further the science of health behavior change and its maintenance by bridging basic social psychological science with health promotion science.
Primary Interests:
- Applied Social Psychology
- Close Relationships
- Health Psychology
- Motivation, Goal Setting
- Personality, Individual Differences
- Research Methods, Assessment
- Self and Identity
Research Group or Laboratory:
Journal Articles:
- Knee, C. R., Lonsbary, C., Canevello, A., & Patrick, H. (2005). Self-determination and conflict in romantic relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89, 997-1009.
- Knee, C. R., Patrick, H., Vietor, N. A., Nanayakkara, A. (2002). Self-determination as growth motivation in romantic relationships. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 28, 609-619.
- La Guardia, J. G., & Patrick, H. (2008). Self-determination theory as a fundamental theory of close relationships. Canadian Psychology, 49, 201-209.
- Patrick, H., Hughes, S. O., Morales, M., & Nicklas, T. A. (2005). The benefits of authoritative feeding style: Caregiver feeding styles and children’s food consumption patterns. Appetite, 44, 243-249.
- Patrick, H., Knee, C. R., Canevello, A., & Lonsbary, C. (2007). The role of need fulfillment in relationship functioning and well-being: A self-determination theory perspective. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92, 434-457.
- Patrick, H., Neighbors, C. T., & Knee, C. R. (2004). Social comparison and body image: The role of contingent self-esteem and self-perceptions of attractiveness. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30(4), 501-514.
- Patrick, H., & Williams, G. C. (2009). Self-determination in medical education: Encouraging medical educators to be more like blues artists and poets. Theory and Research in Education, 7, 184-193.
- Ryan, R. M., Patrick, H., Deci, E. L., & Williams, G. C. (2008). Facilitating health behaviour change and its maintenance: Interventions based on self-determination theory. The European Health Psychologist, 10, 2-5.
- Ryan, R. M., Williams, G. C., Patrick, H., & Deci, E. L. (2009). Self-determination theory and physical activity: The dynamics of motivation in development and wellness. Hellenic Journal of Psychology, 6, 107-124.
- Williams, G. C., Patrick, H., Niemiec, C. P., Williams, L. K., Devine, G., Lafata, J. E., Heisler, M., Tunceli, K., & Pladevall M. (2009). Reducing the health risks of diabetes: How self-determination theory may help improve medication adherence and quality of life. Diabetes Educator, 35, 484-492.
Courses Taught:
- Behavioral Medicine/Health Psychology
- Cultural Psychology
- Introduction to Social Psychology
Heather Patrick
DCCPS/BRP/HPRB
EPN Room 4076, MSC 7335
6130 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, Maryland 20852
United States of America
- Phone: (301) 435-4589
- Fax: (301) 480-2087
- Email: patrickha@mail.nih.gov