Thulitha Wickrama, Ph.D.
	Assistant Professor 288 Spidle Hall Auburn University Auburn, AL 36849 Tel (334) 844-3219 Fax (334) 844-4515 tzw0003@auburn.edu Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 2007

Interests

Current research focuses on multi-level additive and multiplicative processes through which community, family, work, and race/ethnicity influence one’s mental and physical health. My research has disentangled several mechanisms that link these distal social factors to physical and mental health outcomes among adolescents and adults. These mechanisms include racial discrimination, social support, lifestyle, marital relationships, and parent-child relationships.

Selected Publications:

Wickrama, K.A.S. & Wickrama, T. (Submitted to Social Forces) Community and family collectivist orientation and mental health of Tsunami affected mothers: findings from a study in Sri Lanka.

Wickrama, K.A.S. & Wickrama, T. (2008). Journal of Social Science and Medicine. Family context of mental health risk II: more findings from a pilot study in Sri Lanka with Tsunami affected mothers. Journal of Social Science and Medicine, 66(4), 994-1007.

Wickrama, T., Wickrama, K. A. S., & Bryant, C. M. (2006). The influence of community poverty on adolescent obesity: race/ethnicity moderating effects. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 35(4), 641-651.

Wickrama, T., Wickrama, K. A. S., & Romas, J. A. (2005).The relationship of individual, family, and community characteristics with physical health: an adult study in 27 rural Minnesota counties.  Journal of Rural Health, 21, (4), 378-382.

Wickrama, T, Nandy, B. K., & Wickrama, K. A. S. (2003). The influence of women’s status, economic development, and dependency on infant mortality in developing countries: ceiling and moderating effects of the level of economic development. The International Journal of Contemporary Sociology, 40(2), 239-254.

Selected Research Projects

Principal Investigator of study titled A study of Tsunami affected mothers and adolescents in Sri Lanka

Consultant to HEART: A study of African American marriage and health. PI Chalandra Bryant. NICHD

Methodological involvement in the grant titled Longitudinal collegiate study of body composition/size and related environmental, behavioral and psychological factors: Obesity Implications. PI Sareen Gropper. USDA

Thesis Directed

Alyssa Banford.
Thesis: The association between Tsunami exposure and marital functioning: moderation by religiosity.

Willette Miller.
Thesis: The association between racial discrimination, gender roles, and marital satisfaction: a study of African American husbands and wives.

Committees Served

Angela Montoya

Sara Browder

Courses Taught