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Bränström, R
RichardBRÄNSTRÖM
Karolinska InstitutetEmail:
Department of Clinical NeurosciencePhone: (+46)768111 721
The Division of Psychology
Nobels väg 9Country of Citizenship: Sweden
171 77 Stockholm, SwedenBirthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
EDUCATION
Ph.D.2003Clinical Epidemiology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
M.A. 1998Clinical Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
B.A.1996Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
2016 - Visiting Associate Professor, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Social & Behavioral Sciences
2011- Senior Researcher/Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Psychology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
2008 - 2010Visiting Scholar, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
2007 - 2008Postdoctoral visit, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, Department of Health Psychology
2003 - 2006Researcher, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
2001 - 2002Clinical Fellow, Karolinska University Hospital
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE
Clinical psychology: The National Board of Health and Welfare – Sweden, 2002
HONORS AND AWARDS
2016 Center of interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA) International Fellows Award, Yale University. Visiting international research fellow at Yale University, April 10-19 2016, Yale University, New Haven, USA.
2006 Junior Researcher Fellow of the Quantitative Methods in the Social Science Series (QMSS) of the European Science Foundation, “Measurement, Data Collection and Data Quality Issues for Cross-National Survey Data’”, August 17–25, 2006, Lugano, Switzerland.
2005 Recipient of the Short Visit Competition Award from the Quantitative Methods in the Social Science Series (QMSS) of the European Science Foundation
CURRENT RESEARCH GRANTS AND CONTRACTS
2017 - 2020Principal Investigator. Swedish Research Council. “Sexual orientation disparities in physical and mental health: the influence of minority stress, biomarkers of disease, and familial factors.” (PI: Bränström). 2017-2019 $300,000
2017Principal Investigator. Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life, and Welfare. “Exchange visit, Yale University and Karolinska Institutet, for development of an online intervention for young gay, lesbian, and bisexuals targeting high-risk alcohol, drug use, and unprotected sex.” (PI: Bränström). 2017 $20,000
2017 - 2019Principal Investigator. National Research School of Health Care Science, Karolinska Institute. “Factors influencing sexual orientation disparities in use of mental health care and health care providers' knowledge and attitudes towards sexual minorities.” (PI: Bränström). 2015-0133 $115,000
2015 - 2017Principal Investigator. Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life, and Welfare. “Factors influencing inequalities in physical and mental health among sexual minorities and heterosexuals.” (PI: Bränström). 2014-0173 $154,000
2015 - 2017Co-Investigator. Swedish Research Council. “A novel parental intervention for reduced stress and depression after pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial of effects on child health outcomes.” (PI: Nissen). 2014-10167 $519,000
2012 - 2016Principal Investigator. National Research School of Health Care Science, Karolinska Institute. “Effects of mindfulness meditation and stress management training on perceived stress, psychological well-being, and sleep quality among patients diagnosed with cancer.” (PI: Bränström). 2011-0412 $115,000
GRANTS PENDING AND UNDER REVIEW
Co-Investigator. National Institute of Mental Health. “Biopsychosocial mechanisms underlying internalizing psychopathology in prospective, population-based cohorts of sexual minority young adults.” (PI: Pachankis).
PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES
Kvillemo P, Mittendorfer-Rutz E, Bränström R, Nilsson K, Alexanderson K. Sickness absence and disability pension following breast cancer diagnosis: a five-year nationwide cohort study. Journal of Clinical Oncility 2017, in press.
Bränström R. Minority stress factors as mediators of sexual orientation disparities in treatment for mental health diagnoses: a longitudinal population-based study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 2017 Jan 2, doi: 10.1136/jech-2016-207943. [Epub ahead of print].
Hatzenbuehler ML, Bränström R, Pachankis JE. Societal-level explanations for reductions in sexual orientation mental health disparities: Results from a ten-year, population-based study in Sweden. Stigma and Health. 2016 Nov; 26(1), doi:
Kvillemo P, Brandberg Y, Bränström R. Pilot randomized controlled trial of an Internet-based mindfulness training program – feasibility and outcomes among students. Journal of Medical Internet Research Mental Health. 2016 Jun 01.
Bränström R, Hatzenbuehler ML, Pachankis JE, Link BG. Sexual orientation disparities in preventable disease: A fundamental cause perspective. American Journal of Public Health. 2016 Jun;106(6):1109-15.
Bränström R, van der Star A. More knowledge and research concerning the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals is needed. European Journal of Public Health. 2015 Sep 4.
Bränström R, Hatzenbuehler ML, Pachankis JE. Sexual orientation disparities in physical health: Age and gender effects in a population-based study. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 2016 Feb;51(2):289-301.
Saboonchi F, Petersson LM, Alexanderson K, Bränström R, Wennman-Larsen A. Expecting the best and being prepared for the worst: structure, profiles, and 2-year temporal stability of dispositional optimism in women with breast cancer. Psychooncology. 2015 Dec 3. doi: 10.1002/pon.4045.
van der Star, A. and Bränström R. Acceptance of sexual minorities and the mediating role of social capital on health and well-being among members of same-sex and opposite-sex couples across Europe. BMC Public Health 2015; 15:812.
Bränström R, Petersson LM, Saboonchi F, Wennman-Larsen A, Alexanderson K. Physical activity following a breast cancer diagnosis: Implications for self-rated health and cancer-related symptoms. Europena Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2015 Jun 4. [Epub ahead of print]
Kvillemo P, Bränström R. Coping with Breast Cancer: a Meta-Analysis. PlosOne 2014 Nov 25;9(11):e112733.
Saboonchi F, Petersson LM, Wennman-Larsen A, Alexanderson K, Bränström R, Vaez M. Changes in caseness of anxiety and depression in breast cancer patients during the first year following surgery: Patterns of transiency and severity of the distress response. European Journal of Oncology Nursing 2014; Published Online: July 02.
Bränström R, Arrelöv B, Gustavsson C, Kjeldgård L, Ljungquist T, Nilsson GH, Alexanderson K. Sickness certification at oncology clinics: perceived problems, support, need for education, and reasons for certifying unnecessarily long sickness absences. European Journal of Cancer Care 2014 Jan;23(1):89-97. doi: 10.1111/ecc.12104.
Bränström R. Frequency of Positive States of Mind as a Moderator of the Effects of Stress on Psychological Functioning and Perceived Health. BMC Psychology 2013, 1:13 doi: 10.1186/2050-7283-1-13.
Bränström R, van der Star A. All inclusive Public Health – what about LGBT populations? European Journal of Public Health 2013 Jun;23(3):353-4. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckt054.
Bränström R, Arrelöv B, Gustavsson C, Kjeldgård L, Ljungquist T, Nilsson GH, Alexanderson K. Reasons for and factors associated with issuing sickness certificates for longer periods than necessary: results from a nationwide survey of physicians. BMC Public Health 2013 13:478. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-478.
Gustavsson C, Kjeldgård L, Bränström R, Lindholm C, Ljungquist T, Nilsson GH, Alexanderson K. Problems experienced by gynecologists/obstetricians in sickness certification consultations. Acta Obstetrica Gynecologica Scandinavica, 2013 May 10. doi: 10.1111/aogs.12169
Bränström R, Kvillemo P, Åkerstedt T. Effects of mindfulness training on levels of cortisol in cancer patients. Psychosomatics, 2013 Mar;54(2):158-64. PMID: 23218058.
Kasparian NA, Bränström R, Chang Y, Affleck P, Tibben A, Aspinwall LG, Azizi E, Baron-Epel O, Battistuzzi L, Bergman W, Bruno W, Chan M, Cuellar F, Dębniak T, Pjanova D, Ertmański S, Figl A, Gonzalez M, Hayward NK, Hocevar M, Kanetsky PA, Leachman SA, Heisele O, Palmer J, Peric B, Puig S, Schadendorf D, Gruis NA, Newton-Bishop J, Brandberg, Y. Skin examination behavior: The role of skin cancer history, risk perceptions and skin cancer-related worry in determining physician- and self-conducted skin examination. Archives of Dermatology 2012 Jul 16:1-10. PMID: 22801744.
Bränström R, Kasparian NA, Affleck P, Tibben A, Chang YM, Azizi E, Baron-Epel O, Bergman W, Chan M, Davies J, Ingvar C, Kanetsky PA, Leeuwen EV, Olsson H, Gruis NA, Brandberg Y, Newton-Bishop J. Perceptions of genetic research and testing among members of families with an increased risk of malignant melanoma. European Journal of Cancer 2012 Nov;48(16):3052-62. PMID: 22726816.
Hult JR, Wrubel J, Bränström R, Acree M, Moskowitz JT. Disclosure and Nondisclosure Among People Newly Diagnosed with HIV: An Analysis from a Stress and Coping Perspective. AIDS patient care and STDs 2012 Mar;26(3):181-90.
Bränström R, Kvillemo P, Moskowitz J. A Randomized Study of the Effects of Mindfulness Training on Psychological Well-being and Symptoms of Stress in Patients Treated for Cancer at 6-month Follow-up. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 2012 Dec;19(4):535-42. PMID: 21931958.
Bränström, R, Duncan, L & Moskowitz, JT. The association between dispositional mindfulness, psychological well-being and perceived health in a Swedish population-based sample. British Journal of Health Psychology 2011 May;16(Pt 2):300-16. PMID: 20423556.
Kvillemo P, Bränström R. Cancer Patients’ Experiences of a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Intervention. Cancer Nursing 2011 Jan-Feb;34(1):24-31. PMID: 20555256.
Bränström R, Kasparian NA, Chang Y, Affleck P, Tibben A, Aspinwall LG, Azizi E, Baron-Epel O, Battistuzzi L, Bergman W, Bruno W, Chan M, Cuellar F, Dębniak T, Pjanova D, Ertmański S, Figl A, Gonzalez M, Hayward NK, Hocevar M, Kanetsky PA, Leachman SA, Heisele O, Palmer J, Peric B, Puig S, Schadendorf D, Gruis NA, Newton-Bishop J, Brandberg, Y. Predictors of Sun Protection Behaviours and Severe Sunburn in an International on-line study. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention 2010 Sep;19(9):2199-210. PMID: 20643826.
Bränström R, Penilla C, Pérez-Stable EJ & Muñoz RF. Positive Affect and Mood Management in Successful Smoking Cessation: Results from an Internet Based Intervention. American Journal of Health Behavior 2010;34(5):553-562. PMID: 20524885.
Bränström R, Kvillemo P, Brandberg Y, Moskowitz J: Self-report Mindfulness as a Mediator of Psychological Wellbeing in a Stress Reduction Intervention for Cancer Patients - a randomized study. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2010 May;39(2):151-61. PMID: 20177843.
Bränström R, Chang Y-M, Kasparian N, Affleck P, Tibben A, Aspinwall LG, Azizi E, Baron-Epel O, Battistuzzi L, Bruno W, Chan M, Cuellar F, Dębniak T, Pjanova D, Ertmański S, Figl A, Gonzalez M, Hayward NK, Hocevar M, Kanetsky PA, Leaf SL, van Nieuwpoort FA, Heisele O, Palmer J, Peric B, Puig S, Ruffin AD, Schadendorf D, Gruis NA, Brandberg Y & Newton-Bishop J. Melanoma Risk Factors, Perceived Threat and Intentional Tanning: An International Online Survey. European Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2010 May;19(3):216-26. PMID: 20093934.
Bränström R & Brandberg Y. Health Risk Perception, Optimism and Self-Esteem in the Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood. American Journal of Health Behavior 2010; 34(2):197-205. PMID: 19814599.
Skärstrand, E, Bränström, R, Sundell, K, Källmén, H & Andréasson, S. Parental participation and retention in an alcohol preventive family-focused programme. Health Education 2009;109(5):384-395.
Bränström R & Andréasson S. Regional differences in alcohol consumption, alcohol addiction and drug use among Swedish adults. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 2008;36(5):493-503. PMID: 18635732.
Bränström R, Sjöström E & Andréasson S. Individual, family, school, and community risk and protective factors for alcohol and drug use among Swedish adolescents. European Journal of Public Health 2008;18(1):12-8. PMID: 17522153.
Andréasson, S, Sjöström E & Bränström R. A six community prevention trial to reduce alcohol and drugs related problems in Sweden. Substance Use and Misuse 2007;42(12-13):2017-27. PMID: 18075925.
Bränström R, Kristjansson S, Dal H & Rodvall Y. Sun exposure and sunburn among Swedish toddlers. European Journal of Cancer 2006; 42:1441-1447. PMID: 16737807.
Bränström R, Kristjansson, S & Ullén H. Risk perception, optimistic bias, and readiness to change sun related behaviour. European Journal of Public Health 2005; Sep 29. PMID: 16195355.
Bränström R, Ullén H & Brandberg Y. Attitudes, social norms and perception of behavioural control as predictors of sun related behaviour in Swedish adolescents. Preventive Medicine 2004;39:992-999. PMID: 15475034.
Kristjansson S, Bränström R, Ullén H & Helganson A. Transtheoretical Model: An Investigation of Adolescent’s Sun-Related Behavior. European Journal of Cancer Prevention 2003;12(6):501-8. PMID: 14639128.
Bränström R, Ullén H & Brandberg Y. A randomized population-based intervention to examine the effects of the ultraviolet index on tanning behaviour. European Journal of Cancer 2003;39:968-974. PMID: 12706366.
Bränström R, Hedblad M A, Krakau I, Ullen H. Reasons to seek medical attention for a skin check-up: the layman’s perspective. European Journal of Public Health 2003;13(4):294-8.
Bränström R, Kristjansson S, Ullén H & Brandberg Y. Stability of questionnaire items measuring behaviors, attitudes and stage of change related to sun exposure. Melanoma Research 2002;12:513-519. PMID: 12394194.
Bränström R, Hedblad M A, Krakau I, Ullen H. Laypersons' perceptual discrimination of pigmented skin lesions. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2002;46(5 Pt 1):667-73. PMID: 12004305.
Boldeman C, Bränström R, Dal H, Kristjansson S, Rodvall Y, Jansson B & Ullén H. Tanning habits and sunburn in a Swedish population age 13-50 years. European Journal of Cancer 2001;37(18):2441-8. PMID: 11720841.
Bränström R, Brandberg Y, Holm L-E, Sjöberg L & Ullén H. Beliefs, knowledge and attitudes as predictors of sunbathing habits and use of sun protection among Swedish adolescents. European Journal of Cancer Prevention 2001;10(4). PMID: 11535876.
BOOK CHAPTERS
Bränström R & Duncan L. Mindfulness and Balanced Positive Emotion. In The Light and Dark Sides of Positive Emotion. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014.
Bränström R. Effect of Mindfulness-based Interventions in Cancer Care. In Evidence-based Non-pharmacological Therapies for Palliative Cancer Care. New York: Springer, 2013.
Bränström R. Behavioural Aspects of Prevention and Early Detection. In Skin Cancer Prevention. New York: Informa Health Care, 2006.
PRESENTATIONS
Bränström R. Chair during session: ”Mental Health Disparities Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity across Europe” at the 9th European Health Conference (EUPHA 2016), held in Vienna on 9-12November 2016.
Bränström R. Chair during session: ”Factors influencing sexual orientation based disparities in physical health across Europe” at the 9th European Health Conference (EUPHA 2016), held in Vienna on 9-12November 2016.
Bränström R.Sexual orientation disparities in mental health: the moderating and mediating role of sociodemographic and minority stress factors – at the 9th European Health Conference (EUPHA 2016), held in Milano on 9-12November 2016.
Hatzenbuehler ML, Bränström R, Pachankis JE. Societal-level explanations for reductions in sexual orientation mental health disparities – at the 9th European Health Conference (EUPHA 2016), held in Milano on 9-12November 2016.
Bränström R, Hatzenbuehler ML, Pachankis JE, Link B. Sexual orientation disparities in preventable disease: A fundamental cause perspective – at the 9th European Health Conference (EUPHA 2016), held in Milano on 9-12November 2016.
Bränström R. Chair during session: ”Sexual and gender minority health: a European perspective” at the 8th European Health Conference (EUPHA 2015), held in Milano on 14-17 October 2015.
Bränström R. Chair during session: ”Effects of Health and Disease” at the 13th European Congress of Psychology (ECP 2013), held in Stockholm on 9-12 July 2013.
Bränström R. ”Varför gör inte folk som vi säger? Exemplet solning och hudcancer”. Invited speaker at seminar at the Cancer Society on World Cancer Day, 2007.
Bränström R. ”Effekter av mindfulnessmeditation och stresshantering vid cancersjukdom”. Invited speaker seminar at the Osher centrum for integrative medicine Karolinska institutet, 2007.
Bränström R. Melanoma Risk Factors, Perceived Threat and Intentional Tanning: Results From an International Online Survey. Invited speaker at Annual Meeting of the Melanoma Genetics Consortium, Lund 2007.
Bränström R. Predictors of Sun Protection Behaviours and Severe Sunburn in an International on-line study. Invited speaker at Annual Meeting of the Melanoma Genetics Consortium, Paris 2008.
Bränström R. Skin examination behavior: The role of skin cancer history, risk perceptions and skin cancer-related worry in determining physician- and self-conducted skin examination. Invited speaker at Annual Meeting of the Melanoma Genetics Consortium, Ljubljana 2009.
Bränström R. Thoughts and perceptions regarding genetic research and testing among members of families with an increased risk of malignant melanoma. Invited speaker at Annual Meeting of the Melanoma Genetics Consortium, Leeds 2010.
Bränström R, Pachankis JE, Hatzenbuehler ML. Sexual orientation differences in mental health morbidity: A population-based longitudinal study – at the 8th European Health Conference (EUPHA 2015), held in Milano on 14-17 October 2015.
Bränström R, Pachankis JE, Hatzenbuehler ML. Reductions in sexual orientation-based disparities in mental health: Results from a population-based study in Sweden (2005-2015)– at the 8th European Health Conference (EUPHA 2015), held in Milano on 14-17 October 2015.
Bränström R, Pachankis JE, Hatzenbuehler ML. Differences in physical and mental health status between sexual minorities (homo- and bisexuals) and heterosexuals in a Swedish population-based sample – at the 7th European Health Conference (EUPHA 2014), held in Glasgow on 20-22 November 2014.
Bränström R, Kvillemo P 2013.What Works in Coping With Cancer? A Meta-Analysis among Patients with Breast Cancer – at the 13th European Congress of Psychology (ECP 2013), held in Stockholm on 9-12 July 2013.
Bränström R, Duncan L 2013. Mindfulness and Balanced Positive Emotion – A Proposed Framework – at the First International Conference on Mindfulness, Rome, Italy.
Bränström R, Kvillemo, P, Brandberg, Y & Moskowitz, JT 2010. Effects of Mindfulness training on Psychological Well-being and Symptoms of Stress in Cancer Patients at 6-month follow-up – at The 11th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine, Washington, USA.
Bränström,R, Kasparian,N, Newton-Bishop,J, Chang,R, Affleck,P & Brandberg, B 2009. Predictors of Sun Protection Behaviours in a global population based sample – at the 7th World Congress on Melanoma and the 5th Congress of the European Association of Dermato-Oncology(EADO), Vienna, Austria.
Bränström, R, Kvillemo, P, Brandberg, Y & Moskowitz, JT 2009. Mindfulness as a Mediator of Psychological Wellbeing in a Stress Reduction Intervention for Cancer Patients – Report from a Randomized Study – at the 31th Annual Meeting of the Society for Behavioral Medicine, Montreal, Canada.
Bränström R, Sjöström E & Andréasson S 2005. Local Development of Alcohol Consumption, Alcohol Related Illness and Injuries, and Prevention Activity: an Internet Based Presentation System as a Tool for Prevention – at The 6th European Conference on the Effectiveness and Quality of Health Promotion: Evidence for practice, Stockholm, Sweden.
Bränström R, Sjöström E & Andréasson S 2004. A Community Prevention Trial to Reduce Alcohol and Drug Related Problems in Sweden – at The 8th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine, Mainz, Germany.
Bränström R, Brandberg Y & Ullén H 2002. A Population-based Intervention to Examine the Effects of the UV Index on Tanning Behaviour – The 18th UICC International Cancer Congress, Oslo, Norway.
CONSULTING EDITOR
American Journal of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention (2012-present)
AD HOC JOURNAL REVIEWER
American Journal of Public Health, 2003
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 2004
Health Education and Research, 2005
Health Education and Research, 2006
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2006
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2007
Psychology, Health and Medicine, 2007
Health Education and Research, 2007
European Journal of Public Health, 2007
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2008
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 2008
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2008
BMJ Dermatology, 2008
European Journal of Public Health, 2008
European Journal of Cancer, 2009
Health Education Research, at two occasions during 2009
Psychology and Medicine, 2009
European Journal of Public Health, 2009
British Journal of Dermatology, 2009
Psychology, Health & Medicine, 2009
Psychology and Health, 2009
Journal of Men’s Health, 2009
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2009
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 2009
Psychology and Health, at two occasions during 2010
Health Education Research, at two occasions during 2010
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health , 2010
British Journal of Health Psychology, at two occasions during 2010
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2010
Global Health Promotion, 2010
European Psychologist, 2010
Acta Dermatologica, 2010
Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 2010
Health Education Research, 2011
European Journal of Public Health, at two occasions during 2011
Cancer Causes and Control, 2011
British Journal of Health Psychology, at two occasions during 2011
BioMed Central Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, at two occasions during 2011
BioMed Central Medical Research Methodology, 2011
Applied Psychology: An International Review, 2011
BioMed Central Public Health, 2011
Cognition and Emotion, 2012
Cancer Epidemiology, 2012
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2012
Health Education Research, at two occasions during 2012
Annals of Behavioral medicine, 2012
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2012
British Journal of Health Psychology, 2012
European Journal of Public Health, 2012
Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 2012
Cancer Epidemiology, 2012
BMC Medical Education, 2013
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, at two occasions during 2013
European Journal of Public Health, 2013
Journal of Pediatrics, 2013
Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 2013
Journal of Positive Psychology, 2013
Vård i Norden, 2013
European Journal of Public Health, 2014
Mindfulness, 2014
Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2014
Journal of Homosexuality, 2014
Psychology and Health, 2014
European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 2015
Psychology and Health, 2015
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2015
Culture, Health, and Sexuality, 2015
Psychiatry Research, 2015
Psychology, Health & Medicine, 2015
PlosOne, 2016
Journal of Mental Health, 2016
Internet Interventions, 2016
PlosOne, 2017
Journal of Women’s Health, 2017
Journal of Mental Health, 2017
Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 2017
REVIEWER FOR RESEARCH GRANTS