John Ruiz

Professor, Clinical

Director, Social Risk and Resilience Factors (SuRRF) Lab

Psychology 217F

Pronouns:

He, Him, His, El

Links

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:

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

Updated: 07/25/25