EDUCATION
Ph.D. University of Tennessee, 2000.
M.S. Miami University (Ohio), 1997.
B.A. State University of New York, College at Oswego, 1993
SAMPLE PUBLICATIONS
Giacobbi, P.R., Jr., Levy, C.E., Dietrich, F.D., *Hubbard-Winkler, S., Tillman, M.D., & Chow, J.C. (Accepted: In Press). Wheelchair users’ perception of and experiences with power assist wheels. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Giacobbi, P.R., Jr., Tuccitto, D., *Buman, M.P., *& Munro-Chandler, K. (Accepted). A measurement and conceptual investigation of exercise imagery establishing construct validity. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport.
Buman, M.P., * Giacobbi, P.R., Jr., Yasova, D., *& McCrae, C. (2009). Using the constructive narrative perspective to understand physical activity reasoning schema in sedentary adults. Journal of Health Psychology, 14 (8), 1174-1183.
Tuccitto, D., *Giacobbi, P.R., Jr., Leite, W. (Accepted, In Press). The internal structure of positive affect and negative affect: A confirmatory factor analysis of the PANAS. Educational and Psychological Measurement.
Hagen, A., Hausenblas, H.A., Rhodes, R., & Giacobbi, P.R., Jr. (2009). Integrating five-factor model facet level traits with the theory of planned behavior and exercise. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 10 (5), 565-572.
Kim, B.H.* & Giacobbi, P.R., Jr. (2009). The use of exercise-related mental imagery by middle-aged adults. Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity, 4 (1).
Giacobbi, P.R., Jr. (2009). Low burnout and high engagement in the athletic training profession: Results from a nationwide random sample. Journal of Athletic Training, 44 (4), 370-377.
Giacobbi, P.R., Jr., Stancil, M., *Hardin, B., & Bryant, L. (2008). Physical activity and quality of life experienced by highly active individuals with physical disabilities. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 25, 189-207.
Hausenblas, H.A., Symons-Downs, D., Giacobbi, P.R., Jr., Tuccitto, D., *Cook, B. (2008). A multilevel examination of exercise intention and behavior during pregnancy. Social Science & Medicine, 66, 2555-2561.
Buman, M.P.*, Omli, J.W., Giacobbi, P.R., Jr., & Brewer, B.W. (2008). Experiences and coping responses of “Hitting the Wall” for Recreational Marathon Runners. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 20 (3), 1-19.
Bolgar, M.R.,* Janelle, C., & Giacobbi, P.R., Jr. (2008). Trait anger, appraisal and coping differences among adolescent tennis players. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 20 (1), 73-87.
Biography:
Dr. Giacobbi has a multi-pronged research program focused on the social-psychological determinants of physical activity behavior, the examination of linkages between psychological stress and exercise behavior, and the use of mental imagery in exercise settings. He is particularly interested in examining and promotion exercise behavior for individuals at risk for inactive sedentary lifestyles such as individuals with physical disabilities. Dr. Giacobbi is currently funded as a co-investigator by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in a study focused on exercise during pregnancy. This study uses the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1985) as a framework to examine women’s beliefs, attitudes, and exercise behavior during pregnancy.
“My work on exercise and stress emotions has shown that (a) aspects of personality (e.g. neuroticism, trait anger, trait anxiety) moderate links between exercise and stress emotions; (b) there are vast individual differences in how individuals respond to evaluative sources of stress within physical activity contexts; and (c) social support influences individuals’ choices to engage or avoid exercise behavior.”
Mental imagery is a quasi-sensory experience that allows people to mimic or create experience in one’s mind. Everyone engages in mental imagery and it is a widely used part of various cognitive-behavioral therapies for the treatment of anxiety and coping with pain. Dr. Giacobbi is one of only a few researchers studying mental imagery in exercise settings. “It is my hope to use mental imagery as part of an overall intervention strategy to promote exercise behavior.”
Dr. Giacobbi continues to have active collaborations with clinical psychologists, medical doctors, and gerontologists. These collaborative efforts have resulted in funding from the National Institutes of Health and various private sources.