Research Interests
My research focuses on how our connections with others influence our health and well-being I am particularly interested in how social support and unsupportive responses from other people affect adjustment among individuals faced with chronic illness. Much of my current work examines how supportive and unsupportive social interactions are associated with distress, subjective well-being, health-related quality of life, and posttraumatic personal growth among individuals recently diagnosed with cancer. In addition, I have started to pursue my interest in studying the health-promoting effects of humans' interactions with companion animals.
Selected Publications
Pottie, C. G., Cohen, J., & Ingram, K. M. (2009). Parenting a child with autism: Contextual factors associated with enhanced daily parental mood. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 34, 419-429.
Grange, C., Matsuyama, R. K., Ingram, K. M., (2008). Identifying supportive and unsupportive responses of others: Perspectives of African American and Caucasian cancer patients. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 81-99.
Figueiredo, M. I., Fries, E., & Ingram, K. M. (2004). The role of disclosure patterns and unsupportive social interactions in the well-being of breast cancer patients. Psycho-Oncology, 13, 96-105.
Mindes, E. J., Ingram, K. M., Kliewer, W., & James, C. A. (2003). Longitudinal analyses of the relation between unsupportive social interactions, coping, threat appraisals, and psychological adjustment among women with fertility problems. Social Science & Medicine, 56, 2165-2180.
Ingram, K. M., Betz, N. E., Mindes, E. J., Schmitt, M. M., & Smith, N. G. (2001). Unsupportive responses from others concerning a stressful life event: Development of the Unsupportive Social Interactions Inventory. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 20, 173-207.
Recent Courses Taught at VCU
- Applications of Statistics, undergraduate level
- Psychology of Women, undergraduate level
- Contemporary Developments in Counseling Psychology, graduate level
- Practicum in Clinical/Counseling Supervision, graduate level
Recent Grants
Adjustment and posttraumatic personal growth among colorectal cancer patients: The role of social support and unsupportive social interactions. (2005 – 2006). Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center Pilot Project Program. (principal investigator; $29,992).
Adjustment and posttraumatic growth among colorectal cancer patients: A follow-up study of the role of social support and unsupportive social interactions. (2005 – 2006). Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Division 9 of the American Psychological Association, Grants-in-Aid Program. (principal investigator; $2,000).

