Barbara McMorris, PhD

Dr. McMorris’ research is focused on the promotion of healthy youth development and prevention of risky adolescent health behaviors, including alcohol and substance use, bullying and violent behaviors, sexual risk-taking, and mental distress.  A sociologist by training, she leads and directs analyses for community-based intervention projects and program evaluations, in addition to conducting secondary data analyses on large datasets including the Minnesota Student Survey. Dr. McMorris advises undergraduate honors students on their theses, doctoral of nursing practice students on quality improvement projects focused on public health, mental health, and midwifery, and PhD students on methodological issues and research designs for their dissertations. She enjoys teaching practical skills and professional development topics such as writing grant proposals, conducting statistical analyses and mixed methods studies, developing effective CVs and posters, and how to select an appropriate peer-reviewed journal to publish an empirical manuscript.   

PhD, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Major: Sociology

MA, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Major: Sociology

BA, University of Montana, Davidson Honors College
Major: Sociology

Postdoctoral Fellowship, National Research Service Award - Sociology, University of Minnesota

• Distinguished Abstract, Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Research Conference, 2024
• Unit Service Award, University of Minnesota Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, 2024
• Faculty Mid-Career Award, Midwest Nursing Research Society Adolescent and Young Adult Health Research Interest Group, 2023
• Daisy Award for Teaching of Social Engagement, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 2020
• Excellence in Postdoctoral Advising Award, University of Minnesota Office of Postdoctoral Initiatives, 2020

• International Nurse Family Association
• Midwest Nursing Research Society
• Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
• Society for Prevention Research

Heerde, J. A., Bailey, J. A., McMorris, B. J., Patton, G. C., Sawyer, S. M., & Toumbourou, J. W. (2024). Predictors of housing insecurity in young adulthood: A longitudinal population-based cross-national study. Emerging Adulthood, 12(4), 607-619. https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968241253878 

Heerde, J. A., McMorris, B. J., Gewirtz O’Brien, J. R., Bailey, J. A., & Toumbourou, J. W. (2024). Health and social vulnerabilities among unstably housed and homeless young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Promotion Practice, 25(5), 768-773. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399231217447 

Cole, C., Raguet, M., Rider, G. N., & McMorris, B. J. (2024). Predictors of adolescent intimate partner sexual violence victimization: Patterns of intersectional social positions in a statewide, school-based sample. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 39(11-12), 2576-2601. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605231221504 

Martin, L., McMorris, B. J., & Rider, G. N. (2023). Sex trading among cisgender boys. Pediatrics, 151(5), e2022058729. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-058729

Shramko, M., Beckman, K., Gadea, A., Goodhue, E., Davison, M., McCammon, R., & McMorris B. J. (2023). Contextual factors influencing whole school restorative practices implementation: A case study of a school-based pilot program in an urban school district. School Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1080/2372966X.2023.2224054

Hayes, L., LaFrinier-Ritchie, A., Matthews, N., O’Keefe, B., Perrote, N., Rider, G. N., Brown, C., Filoteo, M., Johnston-Goodstar, K., McMorris, B. J., & Martin, L. (2023). Two-Spirit identity and adolescent survey measures: Consideration of appropriation, transparency and inclusion. American Journal of Public Health, 113(11), 1153-1156. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307387  

Taliaferro, L. A., Heerde, J., Toumbourou, J. T., Bailey, J., & McMorris, B. J. (2023). Adolescent predictors of deliberate self harm among young adults: A longitudinal cross-national study. Journal of Adolescent Health, 73(1) 61-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.01.022

Ngabirano, T., Saftner, M., & McMorris, B. J. (2022). Exploring health behaviors in Ugandan adolescents living in rural fishing communities. Journal of School Nursing, 38(2), 148-160. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059840520947142

Miller, K. K., Saftner, M., McNamara, M., McMorris, B., & Olupot-Olupot, P. (2022). Provision of adolescent health care in resource-limited settings: Perceptions, practices, and training needs of Ugandan health care workers. Children and Youth Services Review 132, 106310.   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106310
 
Rider, G. N., McMorris, B. J., Brown, C., Eisenberg, M. E., Gower, A. L., Johnston-Goodstar, K., Filoteo, M., Singerhouse, E., & Martin, L. (2022). Mental health and protective factors for transgender and gender diverse youth who trade sex: A population-based study. American Journal of Public Health, 112, 499-508. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306623

Arlinghaus, K., Bateman, L., Osborne, T., Okoro, G., McMorris, B. J., & Willis, P. "Setting Up Youth for Adult Well-being: Integrating SEL into Out-of-School Time Programs," Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning SEL Exchange, Chicago, IL. (November 2024).

Brightly-Brown, S., Rider, G. N., Filoteo, M., Martin, L., & McMorris, B. J. "Supporting the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Youth Who Trade Sex," American Psychological Association Conference, Seattle, WA. (August 2024). 

Cole, C., McMorris, B. J., Raguet, M., & Rider, G. N. "Using Exhaustive Chi-Square Interaction Detection to Model Intersectional Effects on Intimate Partner Sexual Violence Victimization," Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual Conference, Pittsburg, PA. (June 2024).

Arlinghaus, K. R., Starin, K., Colindres, M., Bell, A., Goodman, L. P., Sherwood, N. E., & McMorris, B. J. "Cross-Age Mentoring to Promote Health and Wellness in an Afterschool Program for Adolescents: A Formative Mixed-Methods Evaluation," International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Omaha, NE. (May 2024). 

Beckman, K. J., Bell, A. N., & McMorris, B. J. "An Exploratory Study of Educator Mindset in Restorative Practices across Stages of Child and Adolescent Development," Society for Research on Adolescence Annual Conference, Chicago, IL. (April 2024).

Arlinghaus, K. R., & McMorris, B. J. "Developing DiscoverU: Integrating SEL Lessons with Physical and Nutrition Activities in an After School Program," Lions Clubs International, Chicago, IL. (February 2024). Invited. 

McMorris, B. J., & Filoteo, M. "Data from the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey on Trading Sex among High School Students," Minnesota Department of Health Safe Harbor Regional Navigator Meeting, Virtual. (January 2024). Invited. 

Rider, G. N., Johnston-Goodstar, K., Filoteo, M., McMorris, B. J., Brown, C., & Martin, L. "Native+ Adolescents Who Trade Sex: Prevalence Rates and Disruption Strategies," Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health, Antalya, Turkey. (November 2023). 

Osingada, C. P., Tracy, M. F., Piehler, T. F., McMorris, B. J., & Porta, C. M. "Patient Perceptions and Predictors of Intention to Use Telehealth for Follow-up Care: A Mixed Methods Study Among Clients Living with HIV in Kampala, Uganda," Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Des Moines, IA. (March 2023). 

Brown, C., McMorris, B. J., Rider, G. N., Piescher, K., LaLiberte T., Filoteo, M., & Martin, L. "Emotional Distress and Sexual Exploitation among Minnesota's High School Youth Involved in Foster Care," Midwest Research Nursing Society Annual Conference, Schaumburg, IL. (March 2022). 

Award: Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH)
Principal Investigator: Sieving, Renee E
Sponsoring Organization: US Dept. of Health & Human Services
Award Dates: 2023 - 2027

Award: Preventive Research to Disrupt Sexual Exploitation of Youth
Principal Investigator: Martin, Lauren E
Sponsoring Organization: University of Minnesota Foundation
Award Dates: 2023 - 2025

Award: Disrupting Sex Trading among LGBTQ+ Youth
Principal Investigator: McMorris, Barbara J
Sponsoring Organization: University of Minnesota Foundation
Award Dates: 2023 - 2023

Award: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research Center
Principal Investigator: Shlafer, Rebecca J
Sponsoring Organization: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Award Dates: 2019 - 2024

Award: Minnesota Student Survey Measures of Sexual Exploitation
Principal Investigator: McMorris, Barbara J
Sponsoring Organization: State of Minnesota
Award Dates: 2021 - 2022