people

Curriculum Vita

Research Interests

Broadly, my program of research examines the physical and mental health consequences of discrimination. A large body of research documents that individuals from historically marginalized groups (e.g., gay and lesbian individuals, ethnic minorities, and women) suffer disproportionately from mental and physical illness. My work seeks to understand what causes these disparities and what can be done to prevent them from continuing. Specifically, some of my research examines how discrimination is associated with physical and mental health, with an emphasis on exploring the psychological, physiological, and behavioral mechanisms for these associations. My lab recently completed a 5-year NIMH-funded study of LGB adolescents, looking at how anti-gay mistreatment from families, schools, and communities is associated with their health risk behaviors. Building on our findings demonstrating the importance of parent responses to adolescent outcomes, we produced a 35-minute documentary film, designed to provide support, comfort, and guidance for parents (www.leadwithlovefilm.com). Our goal is to get parents to engage in more accepting and fewer rejecting behaviors toward their adolescents, with the goal of improving outcomes for these youth. In addition, I am currently involved in a number of projects related to HIV prevention in gay and bisexual men, including young men, men who frequent bathhouses, and African American men.

Opportunities For Students

I am excited to work with PhD students who have research interests in the broad areas of sexual orientation, HIV-prevention, and how discrimination (of any kind) impacts physical and mental health. The University of Utah has an extremely unique Psychology Department, in that we are one of the few places in the country with multiple faculty members who have ongoing programs of research in the area of sexuality and sexual orientation (myself, Dr. Strassberg, and Dr. Diamond). As a result, we have many, many exciting projects for students to be involved in.

Our Clinical Psychology PhD program requires that students obtain substantial training in both research and clinical intervention. Students who work with me must have a strong desire to participate in research activities, and generally plan to have research comprise at least some portion of their careers following graduate school.

I am interested in working with students of all genders, sexual orientations, and ethnicities. Sometimes diverse students, particularly LGBT students, wonder what it is like to live in Salt Lake City. Although it is true that the State of Utah is conservative politically, Salt Lake City is much more diverse and politically liberal than the rest of the state. Salt Lake City residents have elected Democratic mayors continuously since the 1970’s. Additionally, it is home to a large and politically active LGBT community, complete with social and political organizations, bars, clubs, and a Pride festival that sees thousands of visitors each year. The State of Utah now ranks 14th highest (of all 50) in the per capita number of households with same-sex couples.

I am planning on accepting a PhD student to begin in the Fall of 2014.

Education

M.P.H., University of California, Berkeley (Epidemiology, 2003)
Ph.D., Arizona State University (Clinical Psychology, 2002)
Internship, University of Washington School of Medicine (APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology Internship, 2001-2002)
M.A., Arizona State University (Clinical Psychology, 1998)
B.A. Summa Cum Laude, Duke University (Psychology and German, 1995)

Selected Publications

Diamond, L. M., & Huebner, D. M. (2012). Is good sex good for you? Rethinking sexuality and health. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 6, 54-69.

Huebner, D. M., Mandic, C. G., *Mackaronis, J. E., Boeugher, S. C., & Hoff, C. C. (2012). The impact of parenting on gay male couples’ relationships, sexuality, and HIV risk. Journal of Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 1, 106-119.

Huebner, D. M., Neilands, T., Rebchook, G. M., & Kegeles, S. M. (2011). Sorting through chickens and eggs: A longitudinal examination of the associations between attitudes, norms, and sexual risk behavior. Health Psychology, 30, 110-118.

Ryan, C., Huebner, D. M., Diaz, R. M., & Sanchez, J. (2009). Family rejection as a predictor of negative health outcomes in White and Latino LGB young adults. Pediatrics, 123, 346-352.

Huebner, D. M., & Davis, M. C. (2007). Perceived anti-gay discrimination and physical health outcomes. Health Psychology, 26, 627-634.

Binson, D., Blair, J., Huebner, D. M., & Woods, W. J. (2006). Sampling in surveys of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. In I. H. Meyer & M. Northridge (Eds.). The Health of Sexual Minorities: Public Health Perspectives on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Populations. New York: Springer.

Huebner, D. M., Binson, D., Woods, W. J., Dillworth, S., Neilands, T., & Grinstead, O. (2006). Bathhouse-based voluntary counseling and testing is feasible and shows preliminary evidence of effectiveness. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, 43, 239-246.

My current graduate students

Brian Thoma
Larissa McGarrity
Nicholas Perry