Biological and Social Interactions
The integration of social science, behavioral, and biomedical approaches to understanding health
Work on this theme began in the late 1970s when then CPC director J. Richard Udry developed a conceptual model for adolescent sexual development that included an explicit element; motivation from increases in hormones. By putting the “body” back in the study of sexual development, Udry pioneered a tremendous conceptual shift. His efforts paved the way for other CPC fellows to take on the biological and social interactions theme. CPC researchers have collected biospecimens in conjunction with social survey data to increase the understanding of complex systems with a goal of improving health.
An integrated model that bridges social and biomedical sciences guided the design of Wave IV of Add Health in which the social, behavioral, and biological linkages in health and developmental trajectories are being explored as the cohort settles into adulthood. To obtain more objective measures of health, Wave IV employed innovations in the collection of biological data in a field setting on a large national sample that are both practical and groundbreaking.
CPC fellows are focusing on genetics as a potential pathway for various conditions including gene-environment interactions related to obesity, and social and health behaviors such as delinquency, number of sexual partners, substance use, and obesity-related behaviors.
Another program of research at CPC has integrated social and biological measures to explore causes of preterm birth, by following over 5000 pregnant women through the course of their pregnancy, with intensive study protocols including collection of biological specimens (blood, urine, and saliva), ultrasounds, and questionnaire data about stress and psychosocial factors, physical activity, health behaviors, diet, and other potential risk factors.
Related Fellows:
- Linda S. Adair
- Kenneth A. Bollen
- Peter A. Coclanis
- Michael E. Emch
- Penny Gordon-Larsen
- Guang Guo
- Carolyn Tucker Halpern
- Kathleen Mullan Harris
- Michelle Mendez
- Shuwen Ng
- Andrew F. Olshan
- Barry M. Popkin
- Eleanor Seaton
- Anna Maria Siega-Riz
- Chirayath M. Suchindran
- Amanda L. Thompson
- Vaida D. Thompson
- John M. Thorp, Jr.
- Yang Yang
Related Research:
- Center on Antisocial Drug Dependence: The Genetics of HIV Risk Behaviors
- Gene-Environment Interactions and Weight Gain
- Genetic/Epigenetic Markers, Social Contexts, Lifecourse and Risky Health Behavior
- Monitoring Social Change: Health, Reproduction, Aging
- National Children's Study, Cumberland County
- ONEdata - Obesity & Neighborhood Environment Database
- Relating multiple dimensions of stress to CVD risk in Filipino adults
- The National Children's Study
- The National Children's Study - Duplin County Vanguard Center
- The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health
