Dr. Hector Betancourt

Distinguished Professor, Psychology

Contact Information

Email hbetancourt@llu.edu
Phone 909-558-8708

Department of Psychology
Loma Linda University, Central Building, Office 113
11130 Anderson St., Loma Linda, CA  92350

    Faculty Research Lab

    The Culture and Behavior Laboratory

    The mission of the Culture and Behavior Laboratory (CBL) is to advance the study of culture in psychology and its contributions to understanding behavioral and social phenomena relevant to health and well-being.

    Visit Lab Website
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    Degrees

    • PhD, Psychology - University of California, Los Angeles, 1983
    • MA, Psychology - University of California, Los Angeles, 1983
    • Psicologo, Licenciado en Psicologia (terminal professional degree in Clinical Psychology) - Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, 1986

    Areas of Specialization

    • Social, cultural, and health psychology
    • Cognition (attribution)-emotion processes in interpersonal and inter-group behavior
    • Role of culture in psychological processes and behavior
    • Culture, diversity, and behavior in health and social issues
    • Cultural and psychological factors in social inequities and health disparities

    Current Research Projects

    Professional Memberships

    • American Psychological Association (APA), Fellow
      • Society for General Psychology (APA Division 1), Fellow
      • Society for Personality and Social Psychology (APA Division 8)
      • Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race (APA Division 45), Fellow
      • Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict, and Violence (APA Division 48)
      • International Psychology (APA Division 52), Fellow
    • Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI)
    • International Society for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP)
    • Association for Psychological Science (APS)

    Recent Publications and Presentations

    Publications

    • Ly, A., Flynn, P.M., & Betancourt, H. (2023). Cultural beliefs about diabetes-related social exclusion and diabetes distress impact self-care behaviors and HbA1c among patients with Type 2 diabetes. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-023-10179-w
    • Salinas-Onate, N., Betancourt, H., Flynn, P. M., Baeza-Rivera, M. J., & Ortiz, M. (2022). Investigating psychological service utilization employing an integrative socio-structural, cultural, and behavioral framework. Professional Psychology Research and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1037/pro000046
    • Nance, C., Betancourt, H., & Flynn, P. M. (2022). The role of cultural beliefs and distress in adherence to recommended physical activity among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Journal of Behavioral Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-022-00301-w
    • Flynn, P.M., Betancourt, H., Emerson, N., Nunez, E., & Nance, C. (2020). Health professional cultural competence reduces the psychological and behavioral impact of negative healthcare encounters. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 26, 3, 271-279. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000295
    • Betancourt, H. & Flynn, P. (2019). Healthcare mistreatment and cultural beliefs impact HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Acta de Investigacion Psicologica, 9, 2, 5-13. https://doi.org/10.22201/fpsi.20074719e.2019.2.258
    • Baeza-Rivera, M.J., Betancourt, H., Salinas-Onate, N., & Ortiz, M.S. (2019). Cultural beliefs about physicians and perception of discrimination: The impact on continuity of care. Revista Medica de Chile, 147, 161-167.
    • Baeza, M.J., Betancourt, H., Salinas, N, Ortiz, M., Marin, O., & Valle, G. (2018). Development of an instrument to assess cultural beliefs about physicians. Revista Medica de Chile, 146.
    • Hilton, B., Betancourt, H., Morrell, H., Lee, H., & Doegey, J. (2018). Substance abuse among American Indians and Alaska Natives: An integrative cultural framework for advancing research. International Journal of Mental Health and Addictions, DOI 10.1007/s11469-017-9869-1.

    Presentations

    • H. Betancourt (October 2022). Intercultural Relations and Health: The Role of Social Psychological Factors. Keynote presentation, Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan, Mexico.
    • H. Betancourt (September, 2022). Democracy at Risk: A Social Psychological Perspective. Convention of the Mexican Association of Social Psychology, Mexico.
    • Ly, A. L., Nance, C. M., Flynn, P. M., & Betancourt, H. M. (May, 2022). Cultural beliefs and diabetes distress impact self-care behaviors and HbA1c among Latino patients with type 2 diabetes. Poster presented at the Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science; Chicago, IL.
    • Ly, A., Nance, C., Flynn, P.M. & Betancourt, H. (June, 2020). Familism alleviates diabetes distress and improves treatment adherence among Latino and Anglo Americans with Type 2 Diabetes. Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Science Virtual Poster Showcase.
    • Betancourt, H. (April, 2019). Discrimination, Stigma, and Sociocultural Appearance Pressures: Evidence from an Integrative Model of Culture, Psychology, and Health (Discussant). Symposium conducted at the meeting of the WPA, Pasadena, CA.
    • Nance, C., Truong, S. & Betancourt, H. (April, 2019). Illness Stigma, Treatment Distress, and Medical Avoidance. In P. Flynn (Chair), Discrimination, Stigma, and Sociocultural Appearance Pressures: Evidence from an Integrative Model of Culture, Psychology, and Health. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the WPA, Pasadena, CA.
    • Nance, C., Bolivar, G., Lim, D., Herman, S., Codorniz, K., Flynn, P.M., & Betancourt, H. (May, 2018). Cultural Beliefs about the unfair treatment of people with diabetes and distress impact HbA1c. Poster presented at the 30th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.
    • Ung, S., MacKenzie, K., Votow, C., Lee, J., Codorniz, K., Betancourt, H. & Flynn, P.M. (May, 2018). Cultural beliefs impact HbA1c in patients with diabetes through cognition-emotion processes. Poster presented at the 30th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.
    • Nance, C., Truong, S., Chia, D., Betancourt, H., Codorniz, K., & Flynn, P.M. (April, 2018). Cultural beliefs and self-efficacy in adherence to treatment among patients with diabetes. Poster presented at the Annual Convention of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR.
    • Nance, C., Jones, A., Raghani, P., Hoyt, C., Flynn, P.M., Codorniz, K. & Betancourt, H. (April, 2018). Ethnic and socioeconomic differences in cultural beliefs about diabetes. Poster presented at the Annual Convention of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR.

    Community Engagement

    • American Psychological Association, Board of Scientific Affairs (2016-2018)
    • Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI): Otto Kleinberg Award Committee (2013-2015) and International Committee (2016-present)
    • Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict, and Violence: Peace Psychology Division of APA, Fellows Committee (2015-present)
    • Center for Research and Training in Minority Health and Health Disparities, Member of Advisory Board (2010-2012)