My research has been focused on self-management among older adults with arthritis, and includes studies examining the effects of functional disability, chronic daily stress, coping strategies, personal control, and perceived social support on psychological well-being.

I developed and used the Chronic Daily Stress for Elderly Scale (CDSE) to measure chronic daily stress in my previous studies. A model of chronic daily stress, coping, and psychological well-being was developed from the findings of my dissertation study. The model has been used in my pilot studies to examine the interrelationships among physical functional status, stress, coping, social support and psychological well-being.

In my current research project, which is funded by the American Nurses Foundation, I am collecting data to examine the relationships among physical activity, functional status, chronic daily stress, coping, strategies, perceived social support, and psychological well-being (life satisfaction and depressive mood) and identifying predictors of psychological well-being among osteoarthritis older women in assisted living facilities.

I have also been investigating the application of Internet technology in self-management intervention among older adults with arthritis. In 1999, I conducted a preliminary study of computer use by the elderly with arthritis to find health information. The findings indicated that among 71 elders over 60 years old with arthritis, 28% owned a computer and 27% had Internet access. The results of the study have been presented and submitted for publication. A research proposal I am currently working on will examine the effectiveness of online self-management interventions among the elderly with arthritis.

I have been building my expertise in the application of Internet in teaching as well. I have been using the Internet in teaching for the last five years and am currently pursuing a certificate in online teaching at UCLA. My involvement in the Internet Task Force of the Association of Rheumatology Health Professional has also been beneficial in my research projects in the area of study.