Nadine R. Peacock

Nadine R. Peacock, PhD
Associate Professor, Community Health Sciences

Current Research Interests

I came to Public Health with a background in Biological Anthropology; hence a strong bio-cultural perspective, which emphasizes how culture and biology interact to influence health behaviors and health outcomes, has characterized much of my work. My current research interests can be broadly described as encompassing women’s health (particularly reproductive health) and health disparities, as well as qualitative and mixed-methods research.

I am currently the P.I. on a qualitative study investigating the concepts of unwanted and unintended pregnancy among African American women. I am co-investigator on an evaluation of an intervention to reduce adverse birth outcomes among African-American women in Chicago.  I recently spent a sabbatical year in Kenya conducting a Fulbright-supported pilot study of transactional sex and HIV risk among teenage girls and young women. I am collaborating with colleagues at UIC and other institutions on data analysis and dissemination for two studies, one on the influence of social networks on women’s prenatal care practices (see M. Kelly’s profile for more information), and the other on the determinants of successful use of the female condom for prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Because of my expertise in qualitative methods and my interest in cultural influences on health behaviors, I am involved as co-investigator on research projects in diverse areas, including smoking cessation, chronic disease management, and culturally competent health care practices.

 

Teaching

I currently teach two qualitative methods courses: Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Public Health, and Management and Analysis of Qualitative Data. I also co-teach Reproductive and Perinatal Health. I occasionally conduct trainings in Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis. Finally, I am collaborating with colleagues in SPH and the Anthropology Department at UIC to create a cross-disciplinary degree program in Global Health.

Service

I am currently involved in a variety of service activities at local and national levels. I have provided advice and training in focus groups and other qualitative methodologies to community-based organizations and health departments. I serve on the Board of Directors of the Guttmacher Institute, and on National Science Advisory Panels for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and the Oregon Center for Applied Science.

 

Selected Publications

• Peacock NP, Kelley MA, Carpenter C, Davis M, Burnett G, Chavez N, Aranda A, and members of the Chicago Social Networks Project (2001). Pregnancy discovery and acceptance among low income primiparous women: a multicultural exploration. Maternal and Child Health Journal 5(2):109-118.
• Peacock N and Paul-Ward A, 2006.  Contemporary tools for managing and analyzing qualitative data.  In G Kielhofner (ed): Research in Occupational Therapy: Methods of Inquiry for Enhancing Practice. Philadelphia: FA Davis,  pp. 358-371.

• Fong T, Finlayson M, and Peacock N, 2006.   The social experience of aging with a chronic illness: perspectives of older adults with multiple sclerosis. Disability & Rehabilitation 28(11):695-705.

•  Kviz FJ, Cho YI, Johnson TP, Willgerodt MA, Clark M,  Chavez N, Peacock NR, Glasser M, and Freels S, 2003.  Korean American  men’s perceptions about smoking-related symptomatology: implications for intervention.  Korean and Korean American Studies Bulletin 13(1/2):71-83.

• Penman-Aguilar A, J Hall, L Artz, MA Crawford, N Peacock, J van Olphen, L Parker, and M Macaluso (in press). Presenting the female condom to men: a dyadic analysis of effect of the woman’s approach. Women and Health.
• Roberts GW, Banspach SW, and Peacock NR (1997). CDC behavioral scientists: evolving and integrated roles. American Psychologist 52(2): 143-6.