Research Activities:

• My primary interests are in clinical and health psychology.
• I have recently been awarded a small grant to study primate behavior in Costa Rica (Winter 08/09).
• For a sabbatical project, I investigated recovery processes in severe and persistent mental illness. This study was conducted at CooperRiis: A Healing Farm Community in Mill Spring, NC, and was supported by several grants. In March 2008, I presented some of my findings at the Southeastern Psychological Association conference in Charlotte. Summary of project
• I serve on the Social Sciences Institutional Review Board (IRB), evaluating the ethical issues and methodology of research projects involving human participants.
• I teach Research Methods and Advanced Research I & II (senior research projects)
• Senior Research Projects for which I have served as mentor:
  • A comparison of eating-disordered behaviors among Division I vs. Division III cross-country athletes, by Amanda Williams, Psychology (2007)
  • The treatment of adolescent depression in wilderness therapy programs, by Chris Metzloff, Psychology (2007)
  • Predictors of conflict resolution styles in early adolescents vs. young adults, by Shannon Saville, Psychology (2007)
  • Use and efficacy of art therapy with older adults: A critical literature review, by Brooke Usrey, Art and Psychology (2006)
  • Predictors of quality of life in older adults, by Christina Vair, Psychology (2006)
  • Predictors of interpersonal attraction: The role of perceived responsiveness and self-esteem, by Laura Torres, Psychology (2006)
  • "I can move better, baby: Determinants of exercise adherence in the diabetes wellness project, by Amanda Gammon, Women Studies (2005)

For more information on some of these projects, please visit the Advanced Research page on the Psychology Dept webpage

Publications and Presentations:

Swoap, R. (2008, March). Recovery processes in serious mental illness: Community is central. Poster presented at Southeastern Psychology Association confererence, Charlotte, N.C.

Swoap, R. (2008, January). When Abnormal Psychology causes distress in our students. Presented at the 30th Annual National Institute on the Teaching of Psychology, St. Pete Beach, FL.
Swoap, R. (2007, April). Reclaiming lives: Recovery in serious mental illness. Paper presented at the Faculty Seminar, Warren Wilson College.

Swoap, R. (2006, May). Recovery processes in individuals with persistent mental health conditions. Research findings presented to the CooperRiis Board of Trustees: Mill Spring, NC.

Swoap, R. (2006, March). The seven habits of highly effective athletes: Sport psychology applied to health promotion. Workshop presented at the 16th Annual Art and Science of Health Promotion conference: Las Vegas, NV.

Swoap, R. (2005, October). Personal dietary choices: Health and leadership. Invited address, Wells College, Aurora, NY.

Jonas, A., Swoap, R., & Knight-Oakley, M. (2004, November). Connecting youth to nature and culturally diverse communities. Workshop and research data presented at the Association for Experiential Education Annual Conference: Norfolk, Va.

Powell, B., Arevalo, L., Matthews-Sommer, J., & Swoap, R. (2003, March). WWC Worldwide Courses: A sampler of recent student and faculty experiences abroad. Panel Discussion presented at the ACA Internationalization Summit: Kingsport, TN.

Swoap, R. A. (2002, October). Battle to the top: The athlete's guide to mental toughness. Blue Ridge Outdoors, pp. 8-9.

Swoap, R. A. (2000, Fall). Wellness at Warren Wilson College: An integrated approach. Heartstone, 2, 86-90.

Swoap, R. A. (1999). A history of Division 47: Exercise and sport psychology. In D. Dewsbury (Ed.), Unification through division: Histories of the divisions of the American Psychological Association, Vol 4, (pp. 151-173). Washington D.C.: APA.

Swoap, R. A. (1999, Fall). Why old Joe Camel needs Viagra: Smoking and impotence. Heartstone, 1, 48-50.

Swoap, R., L'Armand, C., & L'Armand, K. (1999, August). Attitudes toward others based on vegetarian vs. non-vegetarian diet. Poster presented at the annual American Psychological Association Convention: Boston.

Swoap, R. A. (1998, August). Coleman Griffith's kick-off of applied sport psychology in America. Paper presented at the annual APA Convention: San Francisco.

L'Armand, K., Swoap, R., Giles, C., Nemchik, S., Organ, A., & Wright, S. (1998, June). Aggressive tendencies in contact sport and non-contact sport athletes. Poster presented at the annual APS Convention: Washington, D.C.

Szczepnanski, R., Napolitano, M., Feaganes, J. R., Barefoot, J. C., Luecken, L., Swoap, R., Kuhn, C., Suarez, E., Siegler, I. C., Williams, R. B., & Blumenthal, J. A. (1997). Relation of mood ratings and neurohormonal responses during daily life in employed women. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 4, 1-16.

Swoap, R. A. & Blumenthal, J. A. (1996). Sport and psychology. In B. Wolman (Ed.), The Encyclopedia of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Psychoanalysis. New York: Henry Holt.

Swoap, R. A. (1996). Sport psychology issues in youth soccer. In W. E. Garrett, D. T. Kirkendall, & S. R. Contiguglia (Eds.), The U.S. Soccer Sports Medicine Book (pp. 473-485). Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.

Swoap, R. A., & Murphy, S. M. (1995). Eating disorders and weight management in athletes. In S. M. Murphy (Ed.), Sport Psychology Interventions (pp. 307-329). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Swoap, R. A., Norvell, N. K., Graves, J. E., & Pollock, M. L. (1994). High versus moderate intensity aerobic exercise in healthy older adults: Psychological and physiological effects. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 2, 293-303.

Murphy, S. M., Carr, C., Swoap, R. A., & Muerhoff, J. (1994). Sports mental training: Relaxation and energy management for athletes [Brochure]. Colorado Springs, CO: United States Olympic Training Center, Sports Science Division.

Swoap, R. A. (1994, June). Sport psychology issues in youth soccer. Invited address given at the United States Soccer Symposium on the Sports Medicine of Soccer: Orlando.

Swoap, R. A., Suarez, E., Blumenthal, J. A., Barefoot, J., Siegler, I., & Williams, R. B. (1994, April). Patterns of daily stress and emotional responding in a sample of working women. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting: Boston.

Suarez, E., Luecken, L., Kuhn, C., Schanberg, S., Siegler, I., Stallone, L., Swoap, R. A., Zimmerman, E., & Williams, R. (1994, April). Race-related differences in excretion rates of urinary cortisol in working women: Evidence for lower cortisol excretion in blacks. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting: Boston.

Swoap, R. A., & Blumenthal, J. A. (1993). The modification of Type A behavior pattern and exercise. Journal of Type A Behavior Pattern, 4, 3-10.

Swoap, R. A., Shaw, D. L., & Pellegrin, K. L. (1993, March) Gender differences, body composition, and body satisfaction. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting: San Francisco.

Murphy, S., Carr, C., & Swoap, R. A. (1991, October). A model program for consultation and intervention with elite athletes. Workshop presented at the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology Annual Conference: Savannah, GA.

Swoap, R. A., Norvell, N. K. & Martin, D. (1990, August). Psychological and physiological benefits of aerobic exercise in a sedentary population. Poster presented at the American Psychological Association Conference: Boston.

Norvell, N. K., Swoap, R. A., Hagberg, J. M., Graves, J. E., Pollock, M. L., & West, R. L. (1989, April). Cardiovascular and psychological benefits of exercise training in older adults. Poster presented at the 10th Annual Scientific Sessions - Society of Behavioral Medicine: San Francisco.

Swoap, R. A. (1988, June). The psychological benefits of exercise: A critical review. Paper presented at the Florida Psychological Association Meeting: Key West, FL.

Swoap, R. A. (1987, November). Quality of life in patients with congestive heart failure. Study of Left Ventricular Dysfunction Newsletter (available from the Veteran's Administration Hospital, Gainesville, FL).