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Laura Widman

Assoc Professor

she/her

Department of Psychology

Poe Hall 714B

View CV 

Bio

Dr. Widman is a clinical psychologist who works at the intersection of psychology and public health. Her research interests are in the areas of adolescent sexual decision-making and sexual communication, as well as the development and evaluation of technology-based interventions that improve sexual health outcomes among youth. Her recent research focuses on understanding how adolescents communicate about sexual topics with their parents, friends, and romantic partners, and investigating the links between sexual communication and safer sex practices.

Website

http://www.drlaurawidman.com/

Research Publications

Below is a sample of Dr. Widman’s research publications. For a full list, please see CV.

Widman, L., *Maheux, A., Craig, E., *Evans-Paulson, R., & Choukas-Bradley, S. (2022). Sexual communication between adolescent partners: A scoping review and directions for future research. Journal of Sex Research, 59 (8), 984–999.

Widman, L., *Javidi, H., Maheux, A. J., *Evans, R., Nesi, J. L., & Choukas-Bradley, S. (2021). Sexual communication in the digital age: Adolescent sexual communication with parents and friends about sexting, pornography, and starting relationships online. Sexuality & Culture, 25, 2092-2109.

Widman, L., & *Evans, R. (2020). Adolescent sexual health interventions: Innovation, efficacy, cost, and the urgent need to scale. Pediatrics, 145, e20200392.

Widman, L., *Kamke, K., *Evans, R., *Stewart, J. L., Choukas-Bradley, S., & Golin, C. E. (2020). Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an online sexual health program for adolescents. Journal of Sex Research, 57, 145-154.

Widman, L., *Evans, R., *Javidi, H., & Choukas-Bradley, S. (2019). Assessment of parent-based interventions for adolescent sexual health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 173, 866-877.

Widman, L., Golin, C. E., Kamke, K., Burnette, J. L., & Prinstein, M. J. (2018). Sexual assertiveness skills and sexual decision-making in adolescent girls: Randomized controlled trial of an online program. American Journal of Public Health, 108, 96-102.

Widman, L., Nesi, J., Kamke, K., Choukas-Bradley, S., & Stewart, J. L. (2018). Technology-Based Interventions to Reduce HIV/STIs and Unintended Pregnancy Among Youth: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Adolescent Health, 62, 651-660.

Widman, L., Golin, C. E., Kamke, K., Massey, J., & Prinstein, M. J. (2017). Feasibility and acceptability of a web-based HIV/STD prevention program for adolescent girls targeting sexual communication skills. Health Education Research, 32, 343-352.

Widman, L., Choukas-Bradley, S., Noar, S. M., Nesi, J., & Garrett, K. P. (2016). Meta-analysis of parent-adolescent sexual communication and adolescent safer sex behavior. JAMA Pediatrics, 170, 52-61.

Widman, L., Choukas-Bradley, S., Helms, S. W., & Prinstein, M. J. (2016). Adolescent susceptibility to peer influence in sexual situations.  Journal of Adolescent Health, 58, 323-329.

Widman, L., Noar, S. M., Choukas-Bradley, S., & Francis, D. (2014). Adolescent sexual health communication and condom use: A meta-analysis. Health Psychology, 33, 1113-1124.

Widman, L., Nesi, J., Choukas-Bradley, S., & Prinstein, M. J. (2014). Safe Sext: Adolescents’ use of technology to communicate about sexual health with dating partners. Journal of Adolescent Health, 54, 612-614.

Widman, L., Choukas-Bradley, S., Helms, S. W., Golin, C. E., & Prinstein, M. J. (2014). Sexual communication between early adolescents and their dating partners, parents, and best friends. Journal of Sex Research, 51, 731-741.

Widman, L., Golin, C. E., & Noar, S. M. (2013). When do condom use intentions lead to actions? Examining the role of sexual communication on safer sexual behavior among people living with HIV. Journal of Health Psychology, 18, 507-517.

Education

B.A. Psychology Seattle Pacific University 2003

Ph.D. Clinical Psychology University of Tennessee 2010

Clinical Internship Clinical Psychology University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2010

Postdoctoral Fellowship Public Health and Psychology University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2010-2015

Area(s) of Expertise

sexual health; sexual communication; adolescent sexuality; behavior change interventions; digital health