Patricia A. Thomas
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Contact Information Email: pthomas4@purdue.edu Office: STON 354 Map Phone: 765-496-3360 Homepage: Homepage |
Associate Professor of Sociology PubMed Listing  Google Scholar Listing  View Vita
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Pillars of Interdisciplinary Research Excellence
Social Contexts and Policy for Optimal Aging; Enhancing Biological and Physical Function in Later Life; Preserving Cognitive Function
Education
PhD Duke University Sociology 2010
Research Interests
Aging, life course, social relationships, social position, and health
Grants
2020 - National Institute on Aging (2)
Selected Publications
Nemeth, Samuel R., Patricia A. Thomas, Cassidy M. Stoddart, and Kenneth F. Ferraro. (forthcoming). "Racial and Ethnic Differences in Community Belonging and its Impact on Cognitive Function in Older Adults." Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences.
Thomas, Patricia A., Elizabeth Teas, Elliot Friedman, Lisa L. Barnes, Madison R. Sauerteig-Rolston, and Kenneth F. Ferraro. (forthcoming). "Early-Life Parental Affection, Social Relationships in Adulthood, and Later-Life Cognitive Function." Journal of Aging and Health.
Friedman, Elliot, Patricia A. Thomas, Madison R. Sauerteig-Rolston, Lisa L. Barnes, and Kenneth F. Ferraro. (forthcoming). Sustained purpose in life is associated with slower cognitive decline in older adults: A longitudinal analysis with a diverse national sample. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Science.
Ferraro, Kenneth F., Madison R. Sauerteig-Rolston, Shawn Bauldry, Patricia A. Thomas. (forthcoming). "Disparities in the Life Course Origins of Dual Functionality." Journal of Health and Social Behavior.
Sauerteig-Rolston, Madison R., Lisa L. Barnes, Patricia A. Thomas, Jacqueline L. Angel, and Kenneth F. Ferraro. 2025. "Religious Involvement and Cognitive Function Among White, Black, and Hispanic Older Adults." Research on Aging 47(2): 116-127.
Bauldry, Shawn, Patricia A. Thomas, Madison R. Sauerteig-Rolston, and Kenneth F. Ferraro. 2024. "Educational Inequalities in Dual-Function Life Expectancy." Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences 79(7): gbae072.
Friedman, Elliot, Melissa Franks, Elizabeth Teas, and Patricia A. Thomas. 2024. "Social Connectedness, Functional Capacity, and Longevity: A Focus on Positive Relations with Others." Social Science and Medicine 340: 116419.
Cha, Hyungmin and Patricia A. Thomas. 2023. "A Time of Healing: Can Social Engagement after Bereavement Reduce Trajectories of Depression after the Death of a Child?" Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences 78(10): 1717-1726.
Ferraro, Kenneth F., Shawn Bauldry, Madison R. Sauerteig-Rolston, Patricia A. Thomas. 2023. "Dual Functionality in Later Life." The Gerontologist 63: 1110-1116.
Bauldry, Shawn, Patricia A. Thomas, Madison R. Sauerteig-Rolston, Kenneth F. Ferraro. 2023. "Racial-Ethnic Disparities in Dual-Function Life Expectancy." Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences 78(7): 1369-1275.