Skye Leedahl

  • Department Chair, Professor
  • Human Development and Family Science
  • Phone: 401.874.4567
  • Email: skyeleedahl@uri.edu
  • Office Location: Chafee Hall Room 304

Biography

Dr. Skye Leedahl is Department Chair and Professor of Human Development and Family Science at the University of Rhode Island. She holds a PhD in Social Work and a master’s degree in Gerontology, both from the University of Kansas, and joined URI through its Cluster Hire Initiative in Aging & Health. Before coming to URI, she worked in nursing homes, for a U.S. Senator, and at a community action agency, and she coordinated several state-funded research and program evaluation projects. She is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America in two sections: Social Research, Policy, and Practice, and the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education. Her teaching interests include later adulthood, individual and family development, physical and social environments, and public systems and program evaluation.

Research

Dr. Leedahl’s research is focused on improving quality of life & health for older adults at multiple levels. Her research fits within three themes: 1) intergenerational programming and its impacts on ageism, interest in working with older adults, and digital inclusion & social connectedness for older adults; 2) social integration and health for older adults; and 3) state and community-level policy initiatives.  Much of Dr. Leedahl’s past and current research projects involve developing and evaluating public programs, interventions, and services for addressing social and health needs of older adults.  She uses quantitative & qualitative methods in her research. For information about one of her recent interdisciplinary projects that combines her research, teaching and service efforts to bring together college students and older adults: Check out https://web.uri.edu/human-development/outreach-and-research/cyber-seniors/

Education

  • Ph.D., Social Work, University of Kansas, 2013
  • M.A., Gerontology, University of Kansas, 2007
  • B.A., Honors Program, University of North Dakota, 2005

Selected Publications

*’s denote student authors

  • Leedahl, S.N., Souza, K., Capolino, A., Brasher M., Pascuzzi, E.*, Azzinaro, C.*, Ellison, T.A.*, Estus, E., & Maigret, M. (2023). Improving technology use, digital competence, and access to community resources among older adult participants in the University of Rhode Island Cyber-Seniors digiAGE Pilot Study. Journal of Elder Policy, 2(3), 55-92. doi: 18278/jep.2.3.3
  • LoBuono, D.L., Shea, K.S., Reed, M., Tovar, A., Leedahl, S.N., Xu, F., Mahler, L., Lofgren, I. (2023). The facilitators and barriers to digital health for managing nutrition in people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers: A formative, qualitative study. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 55(8), 553-563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2023.05.252
  • Leedahl, S.N., Brasher, M., Capolino, A., & Estus, E. (2023). Using a quasi-experimental study to examine program participation and outcomes for older adult intergenerational program participants. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2023.2209556
  • Leedahl, S.N., Pascuzzi, E.*, McCurdy, K, & Porto, N. (2023). Beyond employment: Lower-income participants’ experiences in a healthcare training program for medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, and certified nursing assistants. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences & Practice, 21(3), Article 24, 1-13. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/ijahsp/vol21/iss3/24/
  • Jarrott, S., Leedahl, S.N., Shovali, T.E., DeFries, C., DelPo, A., Estus, E., Hasche, L., Juris Naar, J., MacInnes, R., Schilz, M., Scirvano, R.M.*, Steward, A., Taylor, C., Walker, A., Gangji, C.* (2022). Intergenerational programming during the pandemic: Transformation during (constantly) changing times. Journal of Social Issues, 78(4), 1038-1065. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12530
  • LoBuono, D.L., Shea, K.S., Tovar, A., Leedahl, S.N., Mahler, L., Xu, F., & Lofgren, I.E. (2022). Diet quality and nutrition concerns of people with Parkinson’s Disease and their informal caregivers: A mixed methods study. Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology & Geriatrics, 41(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/21551197.2021.2024478
  • LoBuono, D.L., Shea, K.S., Tovar, A., Leedahl, S.N., Mahler, L., Xu, F., & Lofgren, I. (2021). Acceptance and perception of digital health for managing nutrition in people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers and their digital competence in the United States: A mixed-methods study. Health Science Reports, 4, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.412
  • Leedahl, S.N.,Brasher, M., Wood, B.*, LoBuono, D.*, & Estus, E. (2020). Reducing ageism: Changes in students’ attitudes after participation in an intergenerational reverse mentoring program. Sustainability, 12(17), 6870.  doi: 3390/su12176870
  • LoBuono, D.L.*, Leedahl, S.N.,& Maiocco, E.* (2020). Teaching technology to older adults: Modalities used by student mentors and reasons for continued program participation. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 46(1), 14-20. doi: 3928/00989134-20191118-02
  • LoBuono, D.L.*, Leedahl, S.N.,& Maiocco, E.* (2019). Older adults learning technology in an intergenerational program: Qualitative analysis of areas of technology requested for assistance. Gerontechnology, 18(2), 97-107. doi: 4017/gt.2019.18.2.004.00
  • Clark, P.G., & Leedahl, S.N.(2019). Becoming and being an Age-Friendly University: Strategic considerations and practical implications. Journal of Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 40(2), 166-178. doi: 1080/02701960.2019.1579714
  • Leedahl, S.N.,Brasher, M., Estus, E., Breck, B.M.*, Dennis, C.B., & Clark, S.C.* (2019). Implementing an interdisciplinary intergenerational program using the Cyber-Seniors ® reverse mentoring model. Journal of Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 41(1), 71-89. doi: 1080/02701960.2018.1428574
  • Leedahl, S.N.,Sellon, A.*, & Chapin, R.K (2018). Assessment of multiple constructs of social integration for older adults living in nursing homes. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 61(5), 526-548. doi: 1080/01634372.2018.1451938
  • Breck, B.*, Dennis, C., & Leedahl, S.N.(2018). Implementing reverse mentoring to address social isolation among older adults. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 61(5), 513-525. doi: 1080/01634372.2018.1448030
  • Leedahl, S.N., Sellon, A.*, & Gallopyn, N.* (2017). Factors predicting civic engagement among older adult nursing home residents. Activities, Adaptation, & Aging, 41(3), 197-219. doi: 1080/01924788.2017.1310581
  • Leedahl, S.N.,Chapin, R.K., & Little, T.D. (2015). Multilevel examination of facility characteristics, social integration, and health for older adults living in nursing homes. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Social Sciences, 70B(1), 111-122. doi: 1093/geronb/gbu112
  • Chapin, R., Sergeant, J.F., Landry, S.T., Leedahl, S.N., Rachlin, R., Koenig, T.L., & Graham, A. (2013). Reclaiming Joy: Pilot evaluation of a mental health peer support program for Medicaid Waiver recipients. The Gerontologist, 53(2), 345-352. doi: 1093/geront/gns120

Selected Awards and Honors:

    • Awarded Gerontological Society of America Fellow Status within the Social Research, Policy, and Practice Section. (2022). Considered the highest class of membership within the society.
    • Awarded Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education Fellow Status (2022). Considered the highest class of membership within the society.
    • URI Early Career Research and Scholarship Excellence Award in the Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities. (2017).
    • URI College of Health Sciences Innovation Award for the URI Engaging Generations: Cyber-Seniors Program. (2017).
    • Arthur Katz Award for Outstanding PhD in Social Work. (2013). University of Kansas.
    • Hartford Doctoral Fellows Award in Geriatric Social Work, Cohort XI (2011-2013). John A. Hartford Foundation & the Gerontological Society of America.

Google Scholar Profile