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Welcome! » Faculty & Staff » Debora R. Baldwin


Debora R. Baldwin

Research Interests

The role of stress (physical and psychological) on susceptibility to disease with an emphasis on immunological outcomes; Examining the role of behavioral factors that may influence health outcome such as exercise and optimism; Documenting Individual differences with regard to stress and illness outcomes.

Research statement

Our research efforts have been devoted toward a prominent line of inquiry that examines the effect of stress on various aspects of the immune system (e.g., enumeration and function). With regard to animal work, our lab has examined the effect of physical stressors (e.g., exercise and restraint) on antibody formation to sheep red blood cells, and endocrine outcomes (e.g., plasma corticosterone levels). Recently, we have examined the role of physical stressors (e.g., exercise and sexual activity) on salivary IgA in humans. Our primary line of inquiry has been to identify and compare the different characteristics of the stressful event as it relates to host resistance to disease. In addition, we have examined aspects of positive psychology (e.g., optimism) as it relates to health outcomes.

Honors

  • Faculty Appreciation Award, Department of Psychology, 1995
  • Research and Creative Achievement in the Social Sciences (Phi Beta Kappa)—1996
  • College of Arts and Sciences Junior Teaching Award (1997-98)

Grants

  • National Science Foundation Research Grant (1993-95)
  • Professional Development Award, University of Tennessee (2000)

Selected Publications

Baldwin, D., McIntyre, A. & Hardaway, E. (2007).  Perceived parenting styles on college students’ optimism.  College Student Journal, 41, 550-557.

Baldwin, D.R. (2005). Companion Website for Learning and Behavior, 6th Edition by Mazur. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

Baldwin, D.R. (2005). Power Point to Accompany Learning and Behavior, 6th Edition by Mazur. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

Baldwin, D.R., Chambliss, L.N., Towler, K. (2003). Optimism and stress: An African-American college student perspective. College Student Journal 37, 276-283.

Baldwin, D.R. (2001) Instructor's Resource Manual for Introduction to Brain and Behavior. Worth Publishers: New York.

Baldwin, D.R. (2000). Study Guide for Biological Psychology by Klein. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Baylosis, R.C., Baldwin, D.R., Block, A., & Stout, M. (2000). Repeated exposure to brief exercise and host resistance in rats. Journal of MARC Research, 2, 39-49.

Baldwin, D.R., Wilcox, Z., and Zheng, G. (1997). The effects of voluntary exercise and immobilization on humoral immunity and endocrine responses in rats. Physiology and Behavior, 61, 447-453.

Baldwin, D.R., Harris, S.M., and Chambliss, L.N. (1997). Stress and illness in adolescence: Issues of race and gender. Adolescence, 32, 839-853.

Debora Baldwin

Debora R. Baldwin

Associate Professor
Ph.D., Kent State University (1989)

Email: dbaldwin@utk.edu
Phone: (865) 974-4361

Key words: Stress, Exercise, Optimism, Immune Function