Nancy Gyurcsik
Rank / Position
Associate Professor
Qualifications
Ph.D. (Exercise Psychology), University of Waterloo, 1999
M.Sc. (Exercise/Sport Psychology), University of Windsor, 1994
B.Sc. (Movement Sciences), University of Windsor, 1993
Current Research
My research interests are in health promotion and disease prevention and management through regular participation in physical activity. A main focus of my social psychological research is on the study of self-regulatory skills, such as identifying and coping with salient barriers and relapse prevention, and related self-efficacy beliefs that are important for physical activity adherence. I examine other social cognitions important for physical activity adherence, such as the acute thoughts individuals have when making their physical activity decisions and, among individuals with chronic pain, I examine pain-related social cognitions, such as pain acceptance. I also focus on the development and testing of social cognitive, theory-based interventions to promote physical activity adherence. Individuals with arthritis are one of my primary populations of interest as well as individuals in transition, such as individuals transitioning into young adulthood.
Recent Publications (in the last 5 years)
Gyurcsik, N.C., Brawley, L.R., Spink, K.S., Glazebrook, K.E., & Anderson, T.J. (2011). Is level of pain acceptance differentially related to social cognitions and behavior? The case of active women with arthritis. Journal of Health Psychology, 16(3), 1-10. doi: 10.1177/1359105310394229
Brittain, D.R., Gyurcsik, N.C., McElroy, M., & Hillard, S.A. (2011). General and arthritis-specific barriers to moderate physical activity in women with arthritis. Women’s Health Issues, 21(1), 57-63. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2010.07.2010
Brittain, D.R., & Gyurcsik, N.C. (2010). Perceptions of trained leaders on improving the public health impact of three Arthritis Foundation programs. Health Promotion Practice, 11(4), 572-579. doi: 10.1177/1524839908328997
Sulz, L.D., Humbert, M.L., Gyurcsik, N.C., Chad, K.E., & Gibbons, S.L. (2010). A student’s choice: Enrollment in elective physical education. Physical and Health Education Academic Journal. 2(2), 1-17.
Gyurcsik, N.C., Brawley, L.R., Spink, K.S., Brittain, D.R., Fuller, D.L., & Chad, K. (2009). Physical activity in women with arthritis: Examining perceived barriers and self-regulatory efficacy to cope. Arthritis Care and Research, 61(8), 1087-1094.
Sherar, L.B., Gyurcsik, N.C., Humbert, L.M., Dyck, R.F., Fowler-Kerry, S., & Baxter-Jones, A.D. (2009). Activity and barriers in girls (8 – 16 yr) based on grade and maturity status. Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise, 41(1), 87-95.
Bloomquist, C.B., Gyurcsik, N.C., Brawley, L.R., Spink, K.S., & Bray, S.R. (2008). The road to exercise is filled with good intentions: Why don’t my proximal exercise intentions match my actions? Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, 13(2), 102-118.
Gyurcsik, N.C., & Brittain, D.R. (2006). Partial Examination of the Public Health Impact of the People with Arthritis Can Exercise Program (PACE®): Reach, Adoption, and Maintenance. Public Health Nursing, 23(6), 516-522.
Brittain, D.R., Baillargeon, T., McElroy, M., Aaron, D.J., & Gyurcsik, N.C. (2006). Barriers to moderate physical activity in adult lesbians. Women and Health, 43(1), 75-92.
Gyurcsik, N.C., Johnson, E., & Perrett, J.J. (2006). Prospective and daily measures of acute thoughts, decisional struggle, and coping: Measurement correspondence and the prediction of exercise in young adults. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36(6), 1321-1336.
Gyurcsik, N.C., Spink, K.S., Bray, S.R., Chad, K., & Kwan, M. (2006). An ecologically-based examination of barriers to physical activity in students from grade seven through first-year university. Journal of Adolescent Health, 38, 704-711.
Last updated April 19, 2011
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