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
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
- Addressing Implicit Bias in Healthcare Interactions
- Cultural Beliefs about Psychological Care
- Cultural Beliefs, Psychological Processes, and Adherences to Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
- A Culturally-Relevant Type 2 Diabetes Patient Activation Intervention
- Cultural Values, Political Polarization, and Attribution-Emotion Processes in Voting Behavior
- Mindfulness, Attribution-Emotion Processes, and Conflict Situations
- Social Determinants of Health and Healthcare Providers' Cognition (Attribution)
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.
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.
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)