Elizabeth Kristjansson Associate Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychology |
B.A. Honours Psychology, 1982 (Carleton University); M.A. Psychology, 1988 (Carleton University); Ph.D. Education, 2001 (University of Ottawa).
Biography
Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Kristjansson is an Associate Professor in the School
of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa. She
is a health measurement expert whose research focuses on the spatial dimensions
of health and health inequalities, food insecurity, and health and social
indicators. Another primary research interest is in interventions to reduce
socio-economic inequalities in health. Professor Kristjansson is also interested
in researching methods for detecting and understanding potentially biased
items and in general psychometric work.
Dr. Kristjansson is Principal Investigator on the Ottawa Neighbourhoods study, which is a study designed to use GIS methodology to define natural neighbourhoods, and to measure and map features of the urban landscape that contribute to health and to health inequalities. In this project, we are mapping indicators of the natural environment, the built environment, goods, services, and amenities (including the food environment) by neighbourhood SES and health outcomes. Related to this project, we are developing a project that involves resident participation in photographing the neighbourhoods of Ottawa. This project will bring together a team that includes the University of Ottawa, the City of Ottawa, local Community Health Centres, Just Food and other community-based partners. The goals of this project are to connect people and communities, to develop strong community partnerships for the future and to develop tools for the community to help people and neighbourhoods to champion their own causes.
Research Interests
Spatial dimensions of health
Psychometrics
Population health
Psychosocial determinants of health
Food security
Selected Publications
Kristjansson, E.A., Robinson, V., Petticrew, M., MacDonald, B., Krasevec, J., Janzen, L., Greenhalgh, T., Wells, G., MacGowan, J., Farmer, A., Shea, B.J., Mayhew, A., & Tugwell, P. (2007). School feeding for improving the physical and psychosocial health of disadvantaged elementary school children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 1.
Tugwell, P., Petticrew, M., Robinson, V., Kristjansson, E. & Maxwell, L. (2006). Cochrane and Campbell Collaborations, and health equity. The Lancet 367, 1128-1130.
Ostbye, T., Kristjansson, B., Hill, G., Newman, S., Brouwer, R., & McDowell, I. (2005). Prevalence and predictors of depression in elderly Canadians: The Canadian Study of Health and Aging. Chronic Diseases in Canada, 26(4), 93-99.
Kristjansson, B., Aylesworth, R., Boss, M., McDowell, I., & Zumbo, B. (2005). A comparison of four methods for detecting DIF in ordered response items. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 65(6), 935-953.
McDowell, I., Spasoff, R.A., & Kristjansson, B. (2004). On the classification of population health measurements. American Journal of Public Health, 94(3), 17-22.
Tuokko, H., Garrett, D.D., Silverberg, N., Kristjansson, B., & McDowell, I. (2003). Cognitive decline in high-functioning older adults: reserve or ascertainment bias? Aging and Mental Health, 7(4), 259-270.
Kristjansson, B., Desrochers, A., & Zumbo, B. (2003). Translating and adapting measurement instruments for cross-linguistic and cross-cultural research: A guide for practitioners. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 35(2), 127-142.
Tuokko, H., Frerichs, R., Graham, J., Rockwood, K., Kristjansson, B., Frisk, J. et al. (2003). Five year follow-up of cognitive impairment with no dementia. Archives of Neurology, 60(4), 577-582.
Links to Affiliates and Partners
None