Assistant Professor of Nursing
Specialty Areas: Social influences on health, Hispanic/Latino health, Physical activity, Dietary intake and diet-related behaviors
Chronology: BS, Nursing: College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 2004; MPH, Health Promotion: Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 2009; PhD, Public Health, Health Behavior: San Diego State University/University of California San Diego, Joint Doctoral Program, 2017; Postdoctoral Fellow: School of Nursing & Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2019; Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2019-present
Description of research and/or clinical interests:听Dr. Soto鈥檚 research focuses on the social influences of physical activity and dietary intake among Hispanic individuals. By incorporating Hispanic cultural values, Dr. Soto鈥檚 research aims to develop effective behavioral modification interventions to prevent and manage chronic diseases including osteoarthritis.
Selected bibliography:听听
Soto, S.H., Berry, D.C., Callahan, L.F. (2020). A qualitative exploration of dyadic influence on physical activity between Latinas with osteoarthritis and a supporter of their physical activity. Arthritis Care & Research.
Soto, S.H., Callahan, L.F., Bahorski, S., Altpeter, M., Hales, D., Phillips, A., Carthron, D., Rini, C. (2019). The role of cohabitating partner and relationship characteristics on physical activity among individuals with osteoarthritis. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 26(5), 522-530. DOI: 10.1007/s12529-019-09806-2. PMCID: 7147336听
Soto, S.H.,听Arredondo, E.M.,听Shakya, H.B.,听Roesch, S., Marcus, B., Parada, H.,听Ayala, G.X. (2019). Family environment, children鈥檚 acculturation and mothers鈥� dietary intake and behaviors among Latinas: an autoregressive cross-lagged study. Social Science & Medicine. 228, 93-102.
Arredondo, E.M., Ayala, G.X., Soto, S.H., Slymen, D., Horton, L.A., Parada, H., Campbell, N., Ibarra, L., Engelberg, M., Elder, J. (2018). Latina mothers as agents of change in children’s eating habits: Findings from the randomized controlled trial Entre Familia: Reflejos de Salud. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 15(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12966-018-0714-0
Soto, S.H., Arredondo, E.M., Ayala, G.X., Marcus, B., Shakya, H.B. (2018). Exploring how children influence their Latina mothers鈥� dietary behaviors: qualitative interviews with mothers of bicultural and assimilated children. Appetite, 129, 217-227.
Soto, S.H., Sanz, S., Merchant, K.M., Nichols, J.M., Arredondo, E.M. (2018). Lessons learned from a feasibility study delivered in two WIC sites to promote physical activity among pregnant Latinas. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2018.04.004
Soto, S.H., Arredondo, E.M., Marcus, B., Shakya, H.B., Roesch, S., Ayala, G. X. (2017). Effects of Latino children on their mothers鈥� dietary intake and dietary behaviors: the role of children鈥檚 acculturation and the mother-child acculturation gap. Social Science & Medicine, 191, 125-133. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.09.004
Soto, S.H., Haughton, J., Arredondo, E.M., Shakya, H. (2017). Leisure-time physical activity and characteristics of social network support for exercise among Latinas. American Journal of Health Promotion, 32(2), 432-439. DOI:
Kowitt, S., Ayala, G. X., Cherrington, A., Horton, L.A., Safford, M. M., Soto, S.C., Tang, T.S., Fisher, F., B. (2017). Examining the Support Peer Supporters Provide Using Structural Equation Modeling: Nondirective and Directive Support in Diabetes Management. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 51(6), 810-821. DOI:
Perez L.G., Chavez A., Marquez D.X., Soto S.C., Haughton J., & Arredondo E.M. (2016). Associations of acculturation with self-report and objective physical activity and sedentary behaviors among Latinas.听Health Education & Behavior, 51(6), 810-821. DOI: 10.1177/1090198116669802.
Soto, S.C., Arredondo, E.M., Villodas, M.T, Elder, J.P., Quintanar, E., Madanat, H. (2016). Depression and chronic health conditions among Latinos: the role of social networks. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health,听18(6), 1292-1300. DOI: 10.1007/s10903-016-0378-2.
Soto, S.C., Arredondo, E.M., Horton, L.A., Ayala, G.X. (2016). Validation of the Modified Parenting Strategies for Eating and Physical Activity Scale-Diet (PEAS-Diet) in Latino Children. Appetite, 98, 55-62. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2015.12.003.
Soto, S.C., Louie, S., Cherrington, A., Parada, H., Horton, L.A., Ayala, G.X. (2015). An ecological perspective on diabetes self-care support, self-management behaviors, and hemoglobin A1C among Latinos. The Diabetes Educator, 41(2), 214-223. DOI: 0145721715569078.
Full publication list:听
