John Ruiz

Professor, Clinical
Director, Social Risk and Resilience Factors (SuRRF) Lab
Psychology
Associate Director of Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA)
UA Cancer Center

Research Interests: 

  • Investigate how social lives constitute both risk and resilience for physical health.
  • Emphasis on racial/ethnic and cultural differences in the above effects.
  • Use of a variety of methods including community and hospital-based observational studies, surveys, ecological momentary assessment, ambulatory psychophysiology, and laboratory based paradigms.
  • The lab’s current foci include studies of stress and cardiovascular risk, as well as the Hispanic Health Paradox.

Updated: 07/05/22

Selected Publications: 

  • Ruiz, J. M., Hamann, H. H., O’Connor, M. F., & Mehl, M. (2016). The Hispanic Health Paradox:  From Epidemiological Phenomenon to Contribution Opportunities for Psychological Science. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations.
  • Balfour, P. C. Jr., Ruiz, J. M., Talavera, G. A., Allison, M. A., & Rodriguez, C. J. (2016). Cardiovascular disease in Hispanics/Latinos in the United States. Journal of Latina/o Psychology, 4, 98-113
  • Uchino, B.N., Ruiz, J.M., Smith, T.W., Smyth, J.M., Taylor, D.J., Allison, M., & Ahn, C. (2016).  Ethnic/Racial differences in the association between social support and levels of C-reactive proteins in the North Texas Heart Study.  Psychophysiology, 53(1), 64-70.
  • Ruiz, J. M., Steffen, P., & Smith, T. B. (2013).  The Hispanic mortality paradox: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the longitudinal literature. American Journal of Public Health, 103, e1-e9.
  • Ruiz, J. M., Matthews, K. A., Scheier, M. F., & Schulz, R. (2006). Does whom you marry matter for your health? Influence of Patient’s and Spouse’s Personality on their Partner’s Psychological Well-being Following Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 91, 255-267.
  • Smith, T. W., & Ruiz, J. M. (2002). Psychosocial influences on the development and course of coronary heart disease: Current status and implications for research and practice. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70, 548-568.

Edited Special Issues:

  • Ruiz, J. M., & Brondolo, E. (2016). Co-edited Special Issue of Health Psychology. Disparities in Cardiovascular Health. Health Psychology, 35(4). April.
  • Ruiz, J. M. (2016). Special Issue of Journal of Latina/o Psychology. Latino Physical Health: Disparities, Paradoxes, and Future Directions. Journal of Latina/o Psychology, 4(2). May.

 

Courses Taught:

  • PSY 382 - Psychology of Health Disparities (2019)
  • PSY 383 - Health Psychology (2023)
  • PSY 587 - Foundations in Health Psychology (2021)

*Year listed indicates when this individual last taught the specified course.

Updated: 12/20/23

Degree(s)

  • Ph.D.