Amy Peterman

Amy Peterman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She holds a B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. Her research focuses on psychosocial oncology, spiritual well-being, and health-related quality of life (HRQL) measurement, with particular attention to end-of-life care and chronic illness management. Dr. Peterman has pioneered the development of HRQL scales for clinical trials in cancer and neurology, including the Neuro-QOL system.

Her work integrates psychological theory with practical clinical applications, such as interventions to improve hope in metastatic cancer patients and understanding the impact of socioeconomic scarcity on health behaviors. Recent studies explore contextual factors affecting mental health in college students and the role of religious beliefs in end-of-life care decisions. Her research emphasizes patient-centered outcomes and culturally adapted mental health interventions, particularly for marginalized populations like Latino immigrants.

Dr. Peterman’s publications span over two decades, with a focus on validating assessment tools, analyzing treatment adherence, and addressing disparities in spiritual well-being across racial/ethnic groups. Her contributions have advanced both theoretical frameworks (e.g., psychological scarcity models) and practical methodologies in healthcare measurement.