Robin Everhart, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Health Psychology
808 W Franklin, rm 207
reverhart@vcu.edu
(804) 828-7249
Associate Professor (tenured)
Health Psychology
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Virginia
Ph.D. (2010), Syracuse University
Website
Pediatric Psychology Research Lab
Research Interests
My program of research is in child health psychology, with an emphasis on community-based research and incorporating a family systems approach. I am primarily interested in understanding how families effectively manage childhood chronic conditions (e.g., asthma) within the context of urban and cultural stressors. My research incorporates a focus on quality of life (QOL), health disparities, and family-based models of care. I am leading a community needs assessment in the Richmond area that will inform the development of a larger clinical trial to reduce pediatric asthma disparities. In maintaining my broader interest in child health psychology and families, I have also published and presented research on adherence in pediatric cystic fibrosis. I currently serve as the Cystic Fibrosis Mental Health Coordinator in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine, VCU Department of Pediatrics. Finally, I have research interests in improving student outcomes, such as empathy, morality, and professionalism, through service-learning. I have published, presented, and led a workshop on teaching tools to improve empathy among undergraduate service-learning students.
- Profiles of family functioning in pediatric asthma
- How can clinicians promote effective asthma management and better asthma control among adolescents with asthma?
- How are family/culturally-based beliefs about asthma, caregiver quality of life, and emergency department use associated in pediatric asthma?
- Ethnic differences in asthma-related quality of life suggest that Latino caregivers may be experiencing a greater level of burden related to their child's asthma than non-Latino white caregivers.
Select Publications
Everhart, R. S.,Miadich, S. A., Leibach, G. G., Borschuk, A. P., & Koinis-Mitchell, D. (2016). Acculturation and quality of life in urban, African American caregivers of children with asthma. Journal of Asthma. Advance online publication. doi: 10.3109/02770903.2016.1167904
Everhart, R. S., Fedele, D. A., Miadich, S. A., & Koinis-Mitchell, D. (2015). Caregiver quality of life in pediatric asthma: Caregiver beliefs and concerns about medications and emergency department use. Clinical Pediatrics, 54, 249-256.
Everhart, R. S., Kopel, S.J., Esteban, C.A., McQuaid, E.L., Klein, R.B., McCue, C., & Koinis-Mitchell, D. (2014). Allergic rhinitis quality of life in urban children with asthma. Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, 112, 365-370.e1.
Everhart, R. S., Fiese, B. F., Smyth, J. M., Borschuk, A., & Anbar, R. (2014). Family functioning and treatment adherence in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology, 27, 82-86.
Everhart, R. S., Koinis-Mitchell, D., Friedman, D., Kopel, S., Canino, G., Fritz, G., & McQuaid, E. L. (2014). Pediatric asthma management within Latino and non-Latino White families. Families, Systems, & Health, 32, 167-175.
Recent Courses
- Child Health Psychology, graduate level
- Child Health Psychology, undergraduate level
- Human Services Fieldwork (Service Learning), undergraduate level
- Mentoring Children at Risk, undergraduate level
- Psychological Tests and Measurement, undergraduate level
Recent Grants
Families of Richmond, VA Study Extension (FoR-VA-X). Co-Principal Investigator (with M. Winter). 7/01/2016-12/31/2017. VCU Presidential Research Quest Fund.
Implementation of the Depression and Anxiety Guidelines: Award for A Mental Health Coordinator. Psychologist (Schechter, PI). 5/10/2016-12/31/2018. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. CMHC162.
Project UPLIFT to Reduce Anxiety and Depression in CF Patients. Psychologist/ Co-Investigator (Schechter, PI). 7/01/2016-3/31/2018. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. SCHECH15A0.
A Community-Engaged Approach to Reducing Pediatric Asthma Disparities in Richmond. Principal Investigator. 9/10/15-8/31/16. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). U34 HL130759.
Using Ecological Momentary Assessment to Examine Caregiver Burden Related to Pediatric Asthma in Urban Families. Principal Investigator. 1/01/14-12/31/14. Society of Pediatric Psychology, Targeted Research Grant.
Ecological Momentary Assessment stress question response formats: An experimental investigation. Co-Investigator (Principal Investigator, K. Heron). Social Science Research Institute Grant, Pennsylvania State University.
Caregiver Quality of Life in Pediatric Asthma: Family and Cultural Predictors. Principal Investigator (D. Koinis-Mitchell, Sponsor). 2010-2012. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). F32 HL104889.
Recent Awards
- Outstanding Faculty Scholarship Award, VCU Department of Psychology, 2017
- Outstanding Teaching Award, VCU Department of Psychology, 2015
- Service-Learning Travel Award, 2015
- VCU Service-Learning Faculty Fellow, 2014-2016
- American Psychological Association, Convention Travel Award for Early Career Professionals, 2013
- American Thoracic Society Travel Award, 2012
News Features
- Everhart receives $4.73M grant to launch program that will help Richmond children with asthma
- Department announces faculty awards for 2016-17
- Drs. Marcia Winter and Robin Everhart receive VCU Presidential Research Quest Fund Award
- Robin Everhart receives National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute research grant