Karen A. Roberto, Ph.D.
Director of the Center for Gerontology
Director of the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment
E-Mail kroberto@vt.edu
Mailing Address 237B Wallace Hall (0426)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Phone 540-231-7657
Fax 540-231-7012
Staff Contact Ms. Carlene Arthur (540-231-7657)
Curriculum Vitae
Primary Academic Interests
- Family Gerontology
- Health and Aging
- Program Evaluation
Professional Responsibilities
- Memeber, Medical and Scientific Committee, Azheimer's Association Central & Western Virginia Chapter
- Past Chair, Behavioral & Social Sciences (BSS) Section of the Gerontological Society of America.
- Editorial Board Member: Family Relations, Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, International Journal of Aging & Human Development, Journal of Women and Aging.
Current Research
- Family & Friend Relationships in Later Life
- Caring for Persons with Memory Problems
- Health and Social Support of Older Women
- Managing Chronic Illness in Late Life (osteoporosis, pain)
- Elder Abuse and Mistreatment
Selected Publications
Roberto, K.A., McCann, B.R., & Brossoie, N. (in press). Intimate partner violence in late life: An analysis of national news reports. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect.
Roberto, K.A., & McCann, B.R. (2010). Everyday health and identity management amoug older women with chronic health conditions. Journal of Aging Studies, doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2010.08.017.
Roberto, K.A., Henderson, T.L., Kamo, Y., & McCann, B.R. (2010). Challenges to older women's sense of self in the aftermath of Hurrican Katrina. Health Care for Women International, 31, 1-16
Mancini, J.A. & Roberto, K.A., (Eds.) (2009). Pathways of human development: Explorations of change. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
Roberto, K.A., Kamo, Y., & Henderson, T.L. (2009). Encounters with Katrina: Dynamics of older adults’ social support networks. In K. Cherry (Ed.), Lifespan perspectives on natural disasters: Coping with Katrina, Rita and other storms. New York: Springer.
Blieszner, R., & Roberto, K. A. Care partner responses to the onset of mild cognitive impairment,The Gerontologist.
Roberto, K.A., Ermann, L.S., & Savla, J. (2009). Older women’s assessment and management of chronic pain in their daily lives. Journal of Pain Management, 1, 345-356.
Husser, E. K., & Roberto, K. A. (2009). Older women with coronary heart disease: Initial experiences and long term influences on daily life. Journal of Women & Aging, 21, 3-18.
Roberto, K. A., Blieszner, R., & Allen, K.R. (2006). Theorizing in Family Gerontology: New opportunities for research and practice. Family Relations, 55, 513-525
Teaster, P.T., Roberto, K.A., & Dugar, T.A. (2006). Intimate partner violence of rural aging women. Family Relations, 5, 636-648
Recent Funded Projects
2010-15 Applachian Community Cancer Network II. National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, $6,506,600 (PI for Virginia).
2010 Financial Elder Abuse in the News: 2008-2010 Comparisions. MetLife Mature Market Institute (MMI), $35,000.
2010 Survey of Older Adults and Baby Boomers. National Association for Area Agencies on Aging, Elder Care Locator Needs Assessment, $47,659 (Nancy Brossoie, PI; Karen A. Roberto, Susan Will-Walton, Co-Pls).
2008-2010 Intimate Partner Violence in Rural Aging Women: Promoting Community Knowledge, The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the Office of the Director (OD) (1R03HD059478-01). $135,100.
2008 Caring for a Spouse with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Daily Challenges, Marital Relations, and Physiological Indicators of Health. Alzheimer’s and Related Diseases Research Award Fund, Richmond, VA, $40,000.
2008-10 Appalachian Community Cancer Network. National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, $153,500 (PI for Virginia Site).
2008 Financial Elder Abuse. MetLife Mature Market Institute (MMI), $56,178.
2007-10 Understanding Mild Cognitive Impairment: Family Dynamics and Diversity. Alzheimer's Association, $240,000.
2006-07 Public Guardians and Conservators in Virginia: A Statewide Needs Assessment. Virginia Department for the Aging, $18,000.
2005-06 Aging Families in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. National Science Foundation, $108,860.