About the Lab
Research in the Health Disparities Laboratory in Pediatric Psychology examines aspects of the health system and factors related to children’s physical and family environments that contribute to the health outcomes of children from low-socioeconomic status and racial/ethnic minority backgrounds.
The HDL-PP conducts behavioral research to identify and examine promising approaches for improving health outcomes of racial/ethnic minority children that can be delivered in healthcare settings.
The lab also develops and implements research education programs that aim to help increase the diversity of the scientific workforce and that aim to support research training activities in health disparities research.
Current Research Areas
Impacts of COVID-19 on Children's Health
Current projects are examining the impacts of COVID-19 on parents' social and financial well-being and Latinx college students' mental health.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Type 1 Diabetes among Youth
Current Research will develop and pilot test a family- and community-based intervention to improve glycemic control among African American and Hispanic school-aged children with type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in Youth
Current research will explore youth and parent perspectives on self-management of T2D.
Research Education Programs
Our current Research Education Programs focus on increasing participation in health disparities research careers among psychology graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and increasing the participation of scholars from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds in research related to the mission of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders for a mentoring and leadership development program for scholars who are from groups underrepresented in research careers.
Dr. Ashley Butler has been selected for the Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award funding for her project, "Building Capacity in Hispanic-Serving Institutions for Patient-Centered Outcomes: Research/Comparative Effectiveness Research focused on Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19." The project will help develop a skilled community of patients and other stakeholders from across the healthcare enterprise and involve them meaningfully in every aspect of PCORI's work.
Dr. Ashley Butler was awarded a three-year R40 grant ($900,000) from Human Resources Services Administration (HRSA). This federal award is part of the Maternal and Child Health Field-Initiated Research Program. Dr. Butler’s study will create and test a home telehealth behavioral self-management intervention for youth with type 2 diabetes and their families. Dr. Butler will be partnering with the Diabetes Care Center and the University of Houston Bounce Program on this work.
Dr. Ashley Butler has been selected to receive an award to support her project “Addressing Social Needs and Behavioral Health Early in the Type 1 Diabetes Course to Mitigate Inequitable Health Outcomes among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Minority Youth.” The purpose is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a multi-component intervention that combines a behavioral intervention for parents of children with T1D delivered in family dyad/small group-format via videoconferencing with an effective pediatric social needs screening and navigation program among African American and Hispanic parents of youth with new-onset type 1 diabetes and public/no insurance.
Butler AM & Titus C. Systematic Review of Engagement in Culturally Adapted Parent Training for Disruptive Behavior. J Early Interv. 2015
Butler AM, Weller B, & Titus C. Relationship of shared decision making with parental perceptions of children’s mental health functioning. Adm Policy Ment Health. 2015; E-pub ahead of print. PMID: 255577238.
Butler AM, Elkins S, Kowalkowski M, & Raphael J. Shared decision making among parents of children with mental health conditions and chronic physical conditions. Matern Child Health J. 2015; 19: 410-418. PMID: 24880252. *
Tucker C, Wippold G, Smith T, Desmond F, Arthur T, Butler AM, et al. Association of health self-empowerment with health-promoting behaviors among chronically ill African American and non-Hispanic White adolescents. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2014; 25: 2019-31. PMID: 25418256.
Butler, AM. Shared decision making, stigma, and child mental health functioning among families referred for primary care-located mental health services. Family, Systems, and Health. 2014; 32: 116-121. PMID: 24447150. *
Butler, AM, Kowalkowski M, Jones HA, Raphael JL. Relationship of reported negative neighborhood conditions with child mental health. Acad Pediatr. 2012; 12: 523-531. PMID: 23009865. *
New Studies Now Enrolling!
Our lab has several new studies that are now enrolling participants. Visit the " Projects" section of our site to see what's happening!