Assistant Professor of Nursing
Specialty Areas: Social influences on health, Hispanic/Latino health, Physical activity, Dietary intake and diet-related behaviors
Chronology: BS, Nursing: College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 2004; MPH, Health Promotion: Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 2009; PhD, Public Health, Health Behavior: San Diego State University/University of California San Diego, Joint Doctoral Program, 2017; Postdoctoral Fellow: School of Nursing & Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2019; Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2019-present
Description of research and/or clinical interests: Dr. Soto’s research focuses on the social influences of physical activity and dietary intake among Hispanic individuals. By incorporating Hispanic cultural values, Dr. Soto’s research aims to develop effective behavioral modification interventions to prevent and manage chronic diseases including osteoarthritis.
Selected bibliography:
Soto, S.H., Berry, D.C., Callahan, L.F. (2020). A qualitative exploration of dyadic influence on physical activity between Latinas with osteoarthritis and a supporter of their physical activity. Arthritis Care & Research.
Soto, S.H., Callahan, L.F., Bahorski, S., Altpeter, M., Hales, D., Phillips, A., Carthron, D., Rini, C. (2019). The role of cohabitating partner and relationship characteristics on physical activity among individuals with osteoarthritis. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 26(5), 522-530. DOI: 10.1007/s12529-019-09806-2. PMCID: 7147336
Soto, S.H., Arredondo, E.M., Shakya, H.B., Roesch, S., Marcus, B., Parada, H., Ayala, G.X. (2019). Family environment, children’s acculturation and mothers’ dietary intake and behaviors among Latinas: an autoregressive cross-lagged study. Social Science & Medicine. 228, 93-102.
Arredondo, E.M., Ayala, G.X., Soto, S.H., Slymen, D., Horton, L.A., Parada, H., Campbell, N., Ibarra, L., Engelberg, M., Elder, J. (2018). Latina mothers as agents of change in children’s eating habits: Findings from the randomized controlled trial Entre Familia: Reflejos de Salud. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 15(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12966-018-0714-0
Soto, S.H., Arredondo, E.M., Ayala, G.X., Marcus, B., Shakya, H.B. (2018). Exploring how children influence their Latina mothers’ dietary behaviors: qualitative interviews with mothers of bicultural and assimilated children. Appetite, 129, 217-227. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2018.06.040
Soto, S.H., Sanz, S., Merchant, K.M., Nichols, J.M., Arredondo, E.M. (2018). Lessons learned from a feasibility study delivered in two WIC sites to promote physical activity among pregnant Latinas. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2018.04.004
Soto, S.H., Arredondo, E.M., Marcus, B., Shakya, H.B., Roesch, S., Ayala, G. X. (2017). Effects of Latino children on their mothers’ dietary intake and dietary behaviors: the role of children’s acculturation and the mother-child acculturation gap. Social Science & Medicine, 191, 125-133. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.09.004
Soto, S.H., Haughton, J., Arredondo, E.M., Shakya, H. (2017). Leisure-time physical activity and characteristics of social network support for exercise among Latinas. American Journal of Health Promotion, 32(2), 432-439. DOI: org/10.1177/0890117117699927
Kowitt, S., Ayala, G. X., Cherrington, A., Horton, L.A., Safford, M. M., Soto, S.C., Tang, T.S., Fisher, F., B. (2017). Examining the Support Peer Supporters Provide Using Structural Equation Modeling: Nondirective and Directive Support in Diabetes Management. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 51(6), 810-821. DOI: 10.1007/s12160-017-9904-2
Perez L.G., Chavez A., Marquez D.X., Soto S.C., Haughton J., & Arredondo E.M. (2016). Associations of acculturation with self-report and objective physical activity and sedentary behaviors among Latinas. Health Education & Behavior, 51(6), 810-821. DOI: 10.1177/1090198116669802.
Soto, S.C., Arredondo, E.M., Villodas, M.T, Elder, J.P., Quintanar, E., Madanat, H. (2016). Depression and chronic health conditions among Latinos: the role of social networks. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 18(6), 1292-1300. DOI: 10.1007/s10903-016-0378-2.
Soto, S.C., Arredondo, E.M., Horton, L.A., Ayala, G.X. (2016). Validation of the Modified Parenting Strategies for Eating and Physical Activity Scale-Diet (PEAS-Diet) in Latino Children. Appetite, 98, 55-62. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2015.12.003.
Soto, S.C., Louie, S., Cherrington, A., Parada, H., Horton, L.A., Ayala, G.X. (2015). An ecological perspective on diabetes self-care support, self-management behaviors, and hemoglobin A1C among Latinos. The Diabetes Educator, 41(2), 214-223. DOI: 0145721715569078.
Full publication list:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/12uyYt766qdkz/bibliography/public/
