Publications:161
Heiddis B Valdimarsdottir, PhD
About Me
Dr. Heiðdís Valdimarsdóttir has extensive experience in the psychological and biological evaluation of individuals with cancer and among individuals at familial/genetic risk for breast cancer, and has conducted numerous R01 awards, including studies focused on: biological correlates of distress and psychobiological reactivity to acute stressors and among individuals at risk for cancer, developing and testing culturally targeted genetic counseling interventions for minority women to help them with their BRCA testing decisions, developing and testing interactive CDROM decision task to help BRCA mutation carriers with the preventive and surveillance decisions, examining the impact of expressive writing intervention in reducing psychological and biological indices of stress among cancer patients, and developed and pilot tested and intervention examining if exposure to circadian-effective affects circadian rhythms, fatigue, depression and sleep among cancer patients and cancer survivors. Internationally, Dr. Valdimarsdóttir collaborates with Dr. Robert Zachariae at the University of Aarhus, Denmark, Dr. Eveline Bleiker at the Netherlands Cancer Institute and Dr. Birna Baldursdóttir at the Reykjavík University Iceland.
Language
English
Position
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Population Health Science and Policy, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Oncological Sciences
Research Topics
Behavioral Health, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Genetics, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Depression, Hematopoiesis, Immunology, Prostate, Psychiatry
Education
Bachelors of Arts (BA), University of Iceland
Doctorate of Psychology (PhD), S.U.N.Y. at Stony Brook
Postdoctoral Research Associate, S.U.N.Y. at Stony Brook
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Research
Heiddis Valdimarsdottir, Ph.D.'s current research investigates the psychological, behavioral, and biological consequences of being at familial risk for cancer, including investigating the psychosocial issues surrounding genetic testing for cancer susceptibility. Current research includes studies on testing interventions for reducing distress and increasing participants' understanding of the implications of testing among African American women, as well as investigating psychosocial factors involved in seeking genetic testing and the consequences of testing among Ashkenazi Jewish women.
Publications
Selected Publications
- Adolescent mental health before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland: a repeated, cross-sectional, population-based study. Erin Haskell, Berglind Sigmarsdottir, Ingibjorg Eva Thorisdottir, Audun Valborgarson, Elena Bonilla Aparicio, Olli Kiviruusu, Jaana Suvisaari, Zheng Chang, Eivind Ystrom, Agnieszka Butwicka, Bryndis Bjork Asgeirsdottir, Heiddis Bjork Valdimarsdottir, Inga Dora Sigfusdottir, John Philip Allegrante, Thorhildur Halldorsdottir. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe
- Correction to: Biological and psychological predictors of cognitive function in breast cancer patients before surgery (Supportive Care in Cancer, (2024), 32, 1, (88), 10.1007/s00520-023-08282-5). Snaefridur Gudmundsdottir Aspelund, Thorhildur Halldorsdottir, Gudjon Agustsson, Hannah Ros Sigurdardottir Tobin, Lisa M. Wu, Ali Amidi, Kamilla R. Johannsdottir, Susan K. Lutgendorf, Rachel Telles, Huldis Franksdottir Daly, Kristin Sigurdardottir, Heiddis B. Valdimarsdottir, Birna Baldursdottir. Supportive Care in Cancer
- Assessing neurocognitive outcomes in PTSD: a multilevel meta-analytical approach. Snaefridur Gudmundsdottir Aspelund, Hjordis Lilja Lorange, Thorhildur Halldorsdottir, Birna Baldursdottir, Heiddis Valdimarsdottir, Unnur Valdimarsdottir, Harpa Lind Hjördísar Jónsdóttir. European Journal of Psychotraumatology