Karen A. Roberto, Ph.D.
Director of Center for Gerontology
Interim Director of the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment
E-Mail kroberto@vt.edu
Mailing Address 237B Wallace Hall (0416)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Phone 540-231-7657
Fax 540-231-7012
Staff Support Ms. Carlene Arthur (540-231-7657)
Curriculum Vitae
Primary Academic Interests
- Gerontology
- Health and Aging
- Psychosocial Aspects of Aging
- Program Evaluation
Professional Responsibilities
- Advisory Council, Family Relations.
- Chair-Elect, 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 Gerontology: Social Sciences, Journal of Women and Aging.
Current Research
- Family & Friend Relationships in Later Life
- Caring for Persons with Memory Problems
- Older Women
- Managing Chronic Illness in Late Life (osteoporosis, pain)
- Elder Abuse and Mistreatment
Selected Publications & Presentations
Roberto, K. A., & Husser, E. K. (2007). Social relationships: Resources and obstacles to older women's health adaptations and well-being. In T. J. Owens, & J.J. Suitor (Eds.), Advances in life course research, Volume 12: Interpersonal relations across the life course (pp. 383-410). New York: Elsevier Science.
Roberto, K.A., Perkins, S. N., & Holland, A.K. (2007). Research on persistent pain in late life: Current topics and challenges. Journal of Women & Aging, 19(3/4), 5-20.
Blieszner, R., Roberto, K.A., Wilcox, K. L., Barham, E.J., & Winston, B.L. (2007). Dimensions of ambiguous loss in couples coping with mild cognitive impairment. Family Relations, 56, 195-208.
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
Martin, V., & Roberto, K. A. (in press, 2006). Stability of values and health care preferences of older adults in late life. Journal of Gerontological Nursing.
Blieszner, R., & Roberto, K. A. (2006). Perspectives on baby boomers’ close relationships. In S. K. Whitbourne & S. L. Willis (Eds.), The baby boomers grow up: Contemporary perspectives on midlife (pp. 261-281). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Qualls, S. H. & Roberto, K.A. (2006). Diversity and caregiving support interventions: Lessons from elder care research. In B. Hayslip & J. Hicks Patrick (Eds.), Custodial grandparents: Individual, cultural, and ethnic diversity (pp. 37-54). New York: Springer Publishing Company.
Roberto, K.A., Gigliotti, C. M., & Husser, E.K. (2005). Older women’s experiences with multiple health conditions: Daily challenges and care practices. Health Care for Women International, 26, 672-692.
Roberto, K.A. & Teaster, P.B. (2005). Sexual abuse of vulnerable young and old women: A comparative analysis of circumstances and outcomes. Violence Against Women, 11, 473-504
Roberto, K.A. (2004). Care practices and quality of life of rural older women with osteoporosis. Journal of the American Medical Women's Association, 59, 295-301.
Blieszner, R., Roberto, K., & Singh, K. (2001-2002). The helping networks of rural elders: Demographic and social psychological influences on service use. Ageing International, 27, 89-119.
Allen, K., Blieszner, R., & Roberto, K. (2000). Families in the middle and later years: A review and critique of research in the 1990s. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 62, 911-926.
Recent Funded Projects
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.
2005-08 Virginia Aging and Disability Resource Center Evaluation. Administration on Aging and Center for Medicare and Medicaid, $20,670.
2005-06 Aging Families in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. National Science Foundation, $108,860.
2003-06 Caregivers of Persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Information and Support Needs. Alzheimer’s Association, $239,975.
2001-02 Nursing Home Employees: Community Ecology and Retention. National Institute on Aging, $73,008.