معرفی
Stephanie Cox, PhD, serves as a Clinical Professor in the Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry at West Virginia University School of Medicine, specializing in bariatric psychology and eating disorders. Her clinical work focuses on providing psychological support for weight management and bariatric surgery patients within the rural Appalachian context.
Her educational background includes:
- PhD in Psychology from Seattle Pacific University (2012)
- Internship in Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry at WVU
- Fellowship in Primary Care Psychology at WVU (2013)
Dr. Cox's research examines psychological factors influencing bariatric outcomes, with emphasis on coping mechanisms, anxiety/depression impacts, binge eating behaviors, and adverse childhood experiences. She investigates how sociodemographic variables, food insecurity, and internalized weight bias affect treatment adherence and weight loss success, particularly in underserved rural populations. Her work bridges clinical psychology with surgical outcomes research through longitudinal patient assessments.
Analysis of her publication trends reveals consistent focus on behavioral predictors of bariatric success, with recent expansion into LGBTQ+ health disparities and trauma-informed care approaches. Her studies frequently employ mixed-methods designs examining intersections between mental health, socioeconomic factors, and surgical outcomes in Appalachian communities.
No scientific awards were identified in the source materials.
While specific grant funding details and student mentorship records aren't documented in available sources, her extensive publication record in high-impact surgical and obesity journals indicates active research leadership and multidisciplinary collaboration with WVU's bariatric surgery program.
She operates within WVU School of Medicine's integrated clinical-academic framework, contributing to both patient care through the Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry and research initiatives addressing obesity treatment challenges in rural healthcare settings.
