Dr. Hector Betancourt

Distinguished Professor, Psychology

Contact Information

Email hbetancourt@llu.edu
Phone 909-558-8708
Fax 909-558-0171

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

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

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

  • 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

  • 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)