Danielle Arigo, Ph.D.
Danielle Arigo, Ph.D.
Danielle Arigo, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology
Contact Info
(856) 256-4500 ext. 53775
Robinson Hall, Room 116G
Biography
Websites: 
WebsiteResearch with Rowan
Education:
Post-Doctoral Associate, Drexel University
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology (Health Emphasis), Syracuse University
M.S., Clinical Psychology, Syracuse University
B.S., Psychology, Drexel University
Research Expertise:
Social influences on health and health behavior | Digital health | Women’s health | Physical activity | Eating behavior, eating disorders, weight control, and body image | Chronic illness
I am a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in health psychology and behavioral medicine. My research investigates the interplay between physical and emotional health, with particular emphasis on two broad topics. First is improving on the current understanding of social influences on health and health behavior, toward the prevention of cardiovascular disease. For example, elucidating the process and consequences of social comparison (i.e., self-evaluations relative to others), in real time, among individuals with medical and psychiatric conditions. In this area, I am most interested in how social comparisons can guide cardioprotective health behaviors (e.g., physical activity, dietary choices) in daily life, and how beneficial comparisons can be facilitated using digital tools such as mobile apps and social media platforms. My recent work has focused on applying this understanding to assess and promote physical activity among women in midlife (ages 40-65) with elevated risk for cardiovascular disease, using intensive ambulatory assessment methods such as daily diaries and ecological momentary assessment as well as mixed quantitative and qualitative approaches. Other conditions relevant to this work include type 2 diabetes, hypertension anorexia and bulimia nervosa (as well as subclinical disordered eating and body dissatisfaction), and Celiac Disease. Second is the improvement of intervention design and delivery, including rigorous assessment of key constructs of interest. This interest is informed by clinical work in integrated care environments. My focus is twofold: (1) affect-based or emotion regulation interventions such as expressive writing, and (2) optimizing digital health programs and tools by incorporating beneficial social processes via social networking. These interventions can be used as primary or adjunctive techniques in a variety of health-relevant contexts and settings. This work is relevant to a wide range of populations, including physical inactivity, disorders of eating and weight, insomnia and other sleep difficulties, substance use disorders, anxiety, and depression.
Honors and Awards:
Fellow of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2025
Founder’s Award: Cardiovascular Disease Special Interest Group, Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2024
Mid-Career Research Award: Theories and Techniques of Behavior Change Interventions Special Interest Group, Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2024
Distinguished Service Award: Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2024
Research Travel Award: Technology and Adolescent Mental Wellness Program, 2024
Trainee Research Award (mentor): Women’s Health Special Interest Group, Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2023
Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award (Mentor): International Behavioral Trials Network, 2022
Excellence in Research Award: Rowan University College of Science and Mathematics, 2022
Short-Term Research Travel Grant: Bayreuth Humboldt Centre of International Excellence, University of Bayreuth (Bayreuth, Germany), 2021
Professional Abstract Award: Women’s Health Special Interest Group, 2021 Annual Meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2021
Scholar: Mixed Methods Research Training Program, John’s Hopkins University, 2021
Citation Abstract Award: 2020 Annual Meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2020
Frances R. Lax Professional Development Award: Rowan University, 2020
Reviewer: National Institutes of Health Early Career Reviewer Program, 2018-2019
Distinguished Service Award: Digital Health Special Interest Group, Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2018
Professional Memberships:
Society of Behavioral Medicine - member of the Membership Council and the Public Engagement Committee
American Heart Association
American Psychological Association
Arigo, D., Jake-Schoffman, D.E., & Pagoto, S.L. (2025). The recent history and near future of digital health in the field of behavioral medicine: An update on progress from 2019 to 2024. Journal of Behavioral Medicine.
Arigo, D., Brown, M.M., Pasko, K., & Suls, J.M. (2020). Social comparison features in physical activity apps: Scoping meta-review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22, e15642.
Arigo, D., Mogle, J.A., Brown, M.M., Pasko, K., Travers, L., Sweeder, L., & Smyth, J.M. (2020). Methods to assess social comparison processes within persons in daily life: A scoping review. Frontiers in Psychology special issue: Current Perspectives on Social Comparisons and Their Effects, 10, 2909.
Arigo, D., Pagoto, S., Carter-Harris, L., Lillie, S., & Nebeker, C. (2018). Using social media for health research: Methodological and ethical considerations for recruitment and intervention delivery. Digital Health, 4, 1-15.
Arigo, D., Suls, J., & Smyth, J.M. (2014). Social comparisons and chronic illness: Literature synthesis and clinical implications. Health Psychology Review, 8, 154-214.
