UF nursing professor receives award for research in minority health

University of Florida College of Nursing Assistant Professor Jeanne-Marie Stacciarini, Ph.D., R.N., was selected to receive the Southern Nursing Research Society Research in Minority Health Award. Stacciarini was honored for her research on the mental health of rural Latinos and her mentorship of minority students.

The SNRS governing board gives the Research in Minority Health Award to an individual or a group whose research has considerably improved the health care of minorities in the southern region of the United States. Stacciarini accepted the award at the SNRS Annual Conference in New Orleans in February.

“This is a great recognition of the work we have been doing with the underserved Latino population for the last 10 years,” Stacciarini said. “There are a number of individual and community-level implications that have not been well-explored regarding Latinos in rural ‘new destinations,’ such as North Florida, outside of traditional Latino gateways such as California and Miami.”

Latinos in rural areas of the U.S. are often exposed to adverse social factors that can act as chronic stressors and negatively affect their mental health. Stacciarini’s research focuses on restoring the strong Latino cultural belief of “familismo,” or rebuilding family bonds to promote mental wellness, rather than emphasizing mental illness. She engages rural Latinos to promote mental health and prevent related psychosocial issues, such as depression, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts among adults and children.

Stacciarini aims to find ways to unravel the complexities and alleviate the negative effects of social isolation and develop a community-based intervention to promote mental well-being. This requires involvement in areas that reflect the minority culture and are an integral part of daily life, such as churches, local schools and the health department.

Stacciarini has received a diversity supplement grant from the National Institutes of Health to study depression in Latinas and promote diversity in health-related research. Stacciarini also has mentored at least two minority students each year from various health professions majors. She involves them in her work, disseminating research through publication and presentations. Stacciarini also coordinates an undergraduate cross-cultural study program in Yucatan, Mexico, where UF nursing students travel and work with Yucatan nursing faculty and students.

SNRS is a regional professional organization that facilitates progress within nursing science while also supporting the career development and maintenance of nurses and nursing students within its network. Every year SNRS pays tribute to nurses who have conducted outstanding research.