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Are mindful people better at regulating their emotions?

Emotions such as fear, sadness, anger, and so on often need to be "regulated" for us to behave in healthy, adaptive ways. How can people better regulate their emotions when stressed? read more...

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Can we help children with ADHD succeed in school?

Adolescents with ADHD often experience significant problems in school, such as failing grades and low achievement test scores. Can we predict these problems before they occur? read more...

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Why do African American youth trade cigarettes for cigars?

Many youth perceive cigars to pose fewer health risks than cigarettes. But, is this true? read more...

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Are cultural issues important in rehabilitation medicine?

Many health problems and disabilities disproportionately affect ethnic minority communities. But what can rehabilitation specialists do to change that? read more...

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Is religious counseling effective?

Many religious people say they want religious counseling. But is it effective? And, if it is not available, is secular counseling less effective for religious people than religious counseling? read more...

benotsch

Dr. Eric Benotsch

Associate Professor

Director, Health Psychology Program

Associate Editor, BMC Public Health

 

PhD (1998), The University of Iowa

Contact Information

Phone: 804-828-0133

Office: 808 W Franklin, rm 301

E-mail: ebenotsch@vcu.edu

Research Interests

My research focuses on substance use and HIV prevention. Recent projects have examined the role of the Internet as an HIV prevention tool, the use of substances and sexual risk behavior in men who are traveling for leisure, and the relationship between literacy, numeracy, and disease progression in HIV-positive adults. One of my current projects examines the non-medical use of prescription medications in both young heterosexual adults and in gay and bisexual men. My work seeks to develop interventions that promote sexual health. I am particularly interested in novel interventions in new venues not normally accessed by prevention workers, including prevention activities with persons who are on vacation, or who meet sexual partners online.

Selected Publications

Benotsch, E.G., Perschbacher Lance, S., Nettles, C. D., & Koester, S. (in press). Attitudes towards methamphetamine use and HIV risk behavior in men who have sex with men. The American Journal on Addictions.

Benotsch, E. G., Koester, S., Luckman, D., Martin, A., & Cejka, A. (2011). Non-medical use of prescription drugs and sexual risk behavior in young adults. Addictive Behaviors, 36, 152-155.

Benotsch, E. G., Martin, A. M., Espil, F. M., Nettles, C. D., Seal, D. W., & Pinkerton, S. D. (2011). Internet use, recreational travel, and HIV risk behaviors in men who have sex with men. Journal of Community Health, 36, 398-405.

Benotsch, E. G., Seal, D. W., Stevenson, L. Y., Sitzler, C., Kelly, J. A., Bogart, L. M., & Gore-Felton, C. (2008). Stigma, AIDS, and HIV prevention in Africa: Reports from community organizations providing prevention services. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 18, 329-349.

Benotsch, E. G., Wright, V. J., deRoon Cassini, T. A., Pinkerton, S. D., Weinhardt, L., & Kelly, J. A. (2006). Use of the Internet for HIV prevention by AIDS service organizations in the United States. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 24, 19-35.

Recent Courses Taught at VCU
Recent Grants

Sex, drugs, and consequences of dropout on HIV outcomes in WIHS, MACS, and AIEDRP. Co-Investigator. November 2010-October 2013.National Institute of Drug Abuse. R01DA030495, $450,000.

Consequences of drug use and informative dropout on HIV/AIDS outcomes in the MACS. Co-Investigator. March 2009-February 2011. National Institute of Drug Abuse. R03DA026743, $100,000.

HIV risk behavior in men engaged in recreational travel. Principal Investigator. July 2006-June 2009. National Institute of Mental Health. R21MH078790, $275,000.

Online adaptation of HIV risk-reduction interventions. Principal Investigator. September 2005-August 2009. National Institute of Mental Health. R34MH 073409, $450,000.