Word cloud from Curriculum Vita
My research program is cohesive and theory-driven, centered on gerontology through a biopsychosocial and environmental lens. My scholarship can be distilled into several interrelated research themes.
Research: Interdisciplinary and Methodological Orientation
Dr. Heidi H. Ewen’s research program is grounded in a biopsychosocial framework of aging, with a focus on how environmental, social, and physiological factors shape adaptation and well-being in later life. Her work centers on person–environment fit, particularly within the context of housing transitions, aging in place, and senior living environments.
A primary line of inquiry examines relocation in later life as a multidimensional stress process, integrating psychosocial indicators with physiological markers (e.g., stress responses) to understand adaptation trajectories and risk factors for poor adjustment. Complementing this, her research explores the social ecology of senior housing, including social networks, community dynamics, and their influence on quality of life.
Dr. Ewen also investigates caregiving and resilience, emphasizing how individuals navigate chronic stress using cognitive, emotional, and social resources. Her work extends to health services and long-term care systems, with particular attention to home- and community-based services and variation in needs across residential contexts. In addition, she contributes to gerontology education and workforce development, examining doctoral training, mentorship, and competency development within the field.
Her scholarship is published in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals in gerontology, healthcare, and social science, reflecting strong disciplinary relevance and methodological rigor. These outlets include well-regarded journals that contribute to both theoretical advancement and applied practice in aging and health research.
Methodologically, her work is interdisciplinary and mixed-method, integrating quantitative, qualitative, and biological data. Collectively, her research advances understanding of how environmental context, stress processes, and social systems interact to influence health, decision-making, and quality of life among older adults.
Recent (Select) Publications
Gerontology Education
A second line of research is on Gerontology Doctoral Education and I am co-PI on a project entitled the Gerontology Education Longitudinal Study (GELS) that began in 2002 with a pilot study of students from each of the seven programs. In 2006 the full project was launched and students, alumni, and faculty have been surveyed each year. Results of the study indicate students and graduates falling into distinct clusters of careers, one of which is applied work with older adults and agencies, ranging from local areas to international organizations. As such, we have learned that there are implications for increased need for stewards of the discipline to translate research into practice, particularly in nursing, social work, and public health. Many of the programs are not equipped to prepare such scholar/practitioners and this area requires additional investigation, principally among alumni who are actively working in these sectors to identify areas in which specific training has, or would have, helped them in their careers.
Research: Interdisciplinary and Methodological Orientation
- A biopsychosocial framework
- Use of mixed methods (quantitative, qualitative, physiological data)
- Integration of social psychology, nursing, public health, social work, and gerontology
- Application of advanced statistical and case-based approaches
Dr. Heidi H. Ewen’s research program is grounded in a biopsychosocial framework of aging, with a focus on how environmental, social, and physiological factors shape adaptation and well-being in later life. Her work centers on person–environment fit, particularly within the context of housing transitions, aging in place, and senior living environments.
A primary line of inquiry examines relocation in later life as a multidimensional stress process, integrating psychosocial indicators with physiological markers (e.g., stress responses) to understand adaptation trajectories and risk factors for poor adjustment. Complementing this, her research explores the social ecology of senior housing, including social networks, community dynamics, and their influence on quality of life.
Dr. Ewen also investigates caregiving and resilience, emphasizing how individuals navigate chronic stress using cognitive, emotional, and social resources. Her work extends to health services and long-term care systems, with particular attention to home- and community-based services and variation in needs across residential contexts. In addition, she contributes to gerontology education and workforce development, examining doctoral training, mentorship, and competency development within the field.
Her scholarship is published in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals in gerontology, healthcare, and social science, reflecting strong disciplinary relevance and methodological rigor. These outlets include well-regarded journals that contribute to both theoretical advancement and applied practice in aging and health research.
Methodologically, her work is interdisciplinary and mixed-method, integrating quantitative, qualitative, and biological data. Collectively, her research advances understanding of how environmental context, stress processes, and social systems interact to influence health, decision-making, and quality of life among older adults.
Recent (Select) Publications
- Harvey, E.G., Ewen, H.H., Moore, E., and de Ru, E. (2026). Development and validation of a tool to assess physical therapists’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers regarding postoperative scar tissue. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2026:3169670, 1-17. https://doi.10.1155/ijcp/3169670
- Begeman, K, B., White, M.J., Moore, E.S., and Ewen, H.H. (2025). Predictive Value of Laboratory Assays Toward Autoimmune Diseases. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis. DOI: https://10.1002/jcla.70106
- Henderzahs-Mason, J., Salamh, P., Ewen, H.H., and Smith, L. (2025). Physical therapists’ professional beliefs, knowledge, and environmental demands influence health promotion, wellness, and disease prevention practices in outpatient physical therapy. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2025.2515472
- Hughes, C., Borrero, L., Santurri, L., and Ewen, H. (2024). The Experience of Burnout of Rehabilitation Therapists in Long-term Care Settings: A Qualitative Exploration. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 12(4), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2236.
- Holmes, P., Santurri, L., Ewen, H.H., and Baggett, S. (2024). The experiences of skilled nursing staff in memory care units during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Gerontologist, 64(4). https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnad108.
- Ewen, H.H. (2020). Assessing stress in relocation using biopsychosocial methods. SAGE Research Methods Cases in Medicine and Health. DOI: 10.4135/978159707274.
- Ewen.H.H. & Carswell, A.T. (2019). Differences in conventional and seniors-oriented apartment management. Facilities, 37 (3-4), 157-167.
- Ewen, H.H., Emerson, K.G., Washington, T.R., Carswell, A.T., & Smith, M.L. (2017). Characteristics of HCBS users living in service-rich, service-poor senior housing. Housing & Society. DOI: 10.1080/08882746.2017.1389577
- Ewen, H.H., Washington, T., Emerson, K.G., Carswell, A.T., and Smith, M.L. (2017). Variation in older adult characteristics by residence type and use of home- and community- based services. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14 (3), 330. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14030330
- Ewen, H.H., Lewis, D.C., Carswell, A.T., Emerson, K.G., Washington,T., and Smith, M.L. (2017). A Model for Aging in Place for in Senior Housing Communities. Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 31 (1), 1-13.
- Ewen, H.H., Nikzad-Terhune, K.A., and Chahal, J.K. (2016). The Rote Administrative Approach to Death in Senior Housing: Using the Other Door. Geriatric Nursing, 37(5), 360-365. DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2016.05.003.
- Chahal, J.K., Ewen, H.H., Anderson, K.A., and Miles, T. (2015). Institutional Bereavement Care for Fictive Kin: Staff Grief in CCRCs. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 16(10), 892-895. DOI: 0.1016/j.jamda.2015.06.
- Ewen, H.H., Hahn, S.J., Erickson, M.A. and Krout, J.A. (2014). Aging in Place or Relocation? Plans of Community Dwelling Older Adults. Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 28, 1-22. DOI: 10.1080/07263893.2014.930366.
- Ewen, H.H. and Chahal, J.K. (2013). Women’s Experiences of a Late-Life Stressor: Relocation to Congregate Senior Housing. Journal of Housing for the Elderly.
- Ewen, H.H. & Kinney, J.M. (2013). Application of the Model of Allostasis to Older Women’s Relocation and Adaptation to Senior Housing. Submitted to the Biological Research in Nursing. 23 pages.
- Erickson, M.A., Robison, J., Ewen, H.H., and Krout, J.A. (2006). Should I Stay or Should I Go? Moving Plans of Older Adults. Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 20 (3): 5-22.
- Gaugler, J.E. and Ewen, H.H. (2005). Building relationships in residential long-term care: Determinants of Staff Attitudes Toward Family Members in Residential Long-Term Care. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 31(9), 19-25.
- Gaugler, J. E., Anderson, K. A., & Holmes, H. H. (2005). Family-Based Intervention in Residential Long-Term Care. Marriage & Family Review, 37, 45-62. Simultaneously published in Caputo, R. K. (Ed.,) Challenges of Aging on U.S. Families. Haworth Press
- Gaugler, J. E. and Holmes, H. H. (2003). Families and the Institutionalization Experience: Adaptation and Intervention. The Clinical Psychologist, 7 (1), 32-43.
- Krout, J., Moen, P., Holmes, H., Oggins, J., and Bowen, N. (2002). Reasons for Relocation to a Continuing Care Retirement Community. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 21 (2), 236-256.
- Krout, J., Oggins, J. & Holmes, H. (2000). Patterns of Service Use in a Continuing Care Retirement Community. The Gerontologist, 40 (6). 698-705.
Gerontology Education
A second line of research is on Gerontology Doctoral Education and I am co-PI on a project entitled the Gerontology Education Longitudinal Study (GELS) that began in 2002 with a pilot study of students from each of the seven programs. In 2006 the full project was launched and students, alumni, and faculty have been surveyed each year. Results of the study indicate students and graduates falling into distinct clusters of careers, one of which is applied work with older adults and agencies, ranging from local areas to international organizations. As such, we have learned that there are implications for increased need for stewards of the discipline to translate research into practice, particularly in nursing, social work, and public health. Many of the programs are not equipped to prepare such scholar/practitioners and this area requires additional investigation, principally among alumni who are actively working in these sectors to identify areas in which specific training has, or would have, helped them in their careers.
- Kaskie, B., Carr, D.C., and Ewen, H.H. (2017). What does the emergence of a critical mass of doctoral gerontologists mean to the field? Gerontology and Geriatrics Education. DOI: 10.1080/02701960.2017.1311880.
- VanDussen, D., Leson, S., Emerick, E., Voytek, J., and Ewen, H.H. (2015). Assessing Needs for Gerontological Education in Urban and Rural Areas. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 4(1), 55-60.
- Dassel, K.B., Ewen, H.H., Carr, D.C., Manning, L., Leach, C.R., and Fitzgerald, K. (2014). What Can I Do With a Gerontology Degree?: Expanding Your Options. Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics Education, DOI: 10.1080/02701960.2013.87901
- Ewen, H.H. & Brown, P.S. (2012). Examining Undergraduate Attitudes Among Students Enrolled in Introductory Gerontology Courses on Sexual Behaviors of Older Adults. American Journal of Sexuality Education.
- Ewen, H.H., Carr, D.C., & Reynolds, C.J. (2012). Tomorrow Belongs to Those Who Prepare for it Today: Gerontology Doctoral Students’ Aspirations. Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics Education. 22 pages.
- Mwangi, S.M., Yamashita, T., Ewen, H.H., Manning, L.K., & Kunkel, S.R. (2012). Globalization of Gerontology Education: Current Practices and Perceptions for Graduate Gerontology Education in the United States. Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics Education.
- Ewen, H.H., Rowles, G.D., & Watkins, J.F. (2011). Assessing Professional and Personal Development in Contemporary Doctoral Education. Educational Gerontology: An International Journal . 22 pages.
|
|
