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Deborah Da Costa

Academic title(s): 

Associate Professor

Deborah Da Costa
Contact Information
Address: 

Office room: MUHC-Glen

Phone: 
514-398-4400 Ext 44723
Email address: 
deborah.dacosta [at] mcgill.ca
Position: 
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, & Psychologist at the McGill Comprehensive Health Improvement Program.
Degree(s): 

BA (Concordia); MA (Concordia, Psychology); PhD (Concordia), Post-doctoral Studies (Behavioral Medicine, Medicine, McGill/Montreal General Hospital)

 

Teaching areas: 

POTH 682 - Promoting Healthy Activity

 

Current research: 

Mental Health
Health Promotion
e-health interventions
Adherence


Research Areas: 

chronic and long-term illness and disability experiences
chronic disease management
health behaviour
health outcome assessment,
mental health

Biography: 

My research focuses on the interplay between modifiable psychosocial and behavioural (e.g. exercise) factors and health status in various chronic illnesses and in relation to depression in populations at risk, guided by a biopsychosocial framework. This has laid the foundation for the knowledge-transfer phase of my program which focuses on tailoring and evaluating evidence-based e-health interventions to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to optimize their health and wellness. My research activities focus on: 1) maternal and paternal mental health during the transition to parenthood - identifying predictors and developing e-health psychoeducational interventions (seehttp://publications.mcgill.ca/reporter/2015/10/expectant-dads-get-depres...) ; 2) delineating the role of behavioural and psychosocial variables on health outcomes and quality of life in patients with chronic conditions; and 3) developing and testing gender-tailored tools to help individuals initiate and sustain healthy lifestyle behaviours over the lifespan.

 

Selected publications: 

Da Costa D, Zelkowitz P, Bailey K, Cruz R,  Bernard J-C, Dasgupta K, Lowensteyn I, Khalife S. Results of a Needs Assessment to Guide the Development of a Website to Enhance Emotional Wellness and Healthy Behaviours During Pregnancy. Journal of Perinatal Education  2015 (in Press).
Neville C, Da Costa D, Rochon M, Eng D, Fortin PR. Towards the development of a LIN to facilitate patients and their health care providers in the management of lupus: results of web-based surveys. Journal of Medical Internet Research - Research Protocols, 2014 Dec 22; 3(4) e65.
Verreault N, Da Costa D, Marchand A, Ireland K, Dritsa M, Khalifé S. Rates and Risk Factors Associated to Depressive Symptoms During Pregnancy and with Postpartum Onset. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2014 Sept; 35 (3): 84-91.
Da Costa D, Ireland K. Perceived benefits and barriers to leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy in previously inactive and active women. Women & Health 2013;53(2):185-202.
Verreault N, Da Costa D, Marchand A, Ireland K, Banack H, Drista M, Khalifé S. PTSD following childbirth: A prospective study of incidence and risk factors in Canadian women. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 2012 October 73 (4) 257-63.
Da Costa D, Zummer M, Fitzcharles M-A. Biopsychosocial Determinants of Physical and Mental Fatigue in Patients with Spondyloarthropathy. Rheumatology International. 2011;31(4):473-80.

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