Center for Health Identity Behavior and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS)

The Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS) conducts cutting-edge behavioral research in the synergistic areas of HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, and mental health. We situate ourselves at the hyphen of theory-practice and conduct research informed by mixed methodologies with and for the communities affected by these forces.

Our work is centered on the biopsychosocial paradigm, and is informed by health & prevention models, development & counseling theories, as well as public and health policies, with an underlying understanding that our stakeholders hold multiple identities (i.e., sexual orientation, gender, race, ethnicity, culture, and, socioeconomic status). All of our research has been funded by both public and private sources.

Because the dynamics underlying HIV and drug abuse prevention are constantly shifting, our research has focused longitudinal studies, studies that follow the same group of people over time. We do this to better understand how cultural, social and historical variables influence health behaviors

To these endeavors we bring a team of highly able scholars from the fields of psychology, public health, public administration, and social work. On an annual basis we work with numerous students from a variety of fields who function as interns to the projects that we undertake with our community partners in order to develop the next generation of scholars who are committed to the principles of CHIBPS.