My Research
As a sociologist, my research focuses on the social components of health. Specifically, I focus my research on the social determinants of health and health inequalities in society. I want to understand how social factors (e.g., race/ethnicity, income, education) influence individual health and population health. For my dissertation, I am working on multiple projects in this line of research.
One chapter of my dissertation focuses on health inequalities in the United States during and after the Great Recession. Specifically, I use a cumulative inequality approach to determine how the financial crisis led to growing or narrowing health inequalities and if those gaps vary over time as a result of the potential negative shock of the recession to different social groups. In additional to socioeconomic status during and after the crisis, I investigate how different phases of the life course might disproportionately influence health outcomes and disparities during and after the recession.
Another chapter of my dissertation investigates whether or not there is symmetry in the harmful effects of negative social behaviors (e.g., smoking and excessive drinking) between various social classes. I look to see if people of lower socioeconomic status are as negatively affected by the same health behaviors as their higher socioeconomic counterparts and if positive health behaviors (e.g., exercise) provide the same benefits to people of different statuses or if this relationship depends on socioeconomic status.
In addition to my dissertation research, I have published about differences in public opinion on euthanasia and religions by cohorts. I wrote my master's thesis on the physical and mental health of aging Vietnam veterans. I am also working with a co-author on a project regarding racial segregation by age and how the age gradient influences levels of segregation.
One chapter of my dissertation focuses on health inequalities in the United States during and after the Great Recession. Specifically, I use a cumulative inequality approach to determine how the financial crisis led to growing or narrowing health inequalities and if those gaps vary over time as a result of the potential negative shock of the recession to different social groups. In additional to socioeconomic status during and after the crisis, I investigate how different phases of the life course might disproportionately influence health outcomes and disparities during and after the recession.
Another chapter of my dissertation investigates whether or not there is symmetry in the harmful effects of negative social behaviors (e.g., smoking and excessive drinking) between various social classes. I look to see if people of lower socioeconomic status are as negatively affected by the same health behaviors as their higher socioeconomic counterparts and if positive health behaviors (e.g., exercise) provide the same benefits to people of different statuses or if this relationship depends on socioeconomic status.
In addition to my dissertation research, I have published about differences in public opinion on euthanasia and religions by cohorts. I wrote my master's thesis on the physical and mental health of aging Vietnam veterans. I am also working with a co-author on a project regarding racial segregation by age and how the age gradient influences levels of segregation.
Publications
Marsala, Miles S. 2019. "Approval of Euthanasia: Differences Between Cohorts and Religions." SAGE Open, January-March 2019: 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244019835921
Master's Thesis
"The Role of Military Service on the Physical and Mental Health of Baby Boomers: A Life Course Approach to Aging Vietnam Veterans." scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/5999/
Thesis committee: Lance D. Erickson (chair), Vaughn R.A. Call, and Benjamin G. Gibbs
Thesis committee: Lance D. Erickson (chair), Vaughn R.A. Call, and Benjamin G. Gibbs
Presentations
Conferences
Marsala, Miles S. 2020. “Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease adn the Great Recession.” To be presented Population Association of America, Washington D.C.
Marsala, Miles S. 2019. “Symmetry in Health Outcomes Based on Health Behaviors: Socioeconomic Status, Health Behaviors, and Self-Rated Health.” Presented American Sociological Association, New York City
Marsala, Miles S. 2018. “The Great Recession as a Turning Point: The Effects of the 2008 Crisis on Health Disparities.” Presented American Sociological Association, Philadelphia
Marsala, Miles S. 2018. “The Great Recession as a Turning Point: The Effects of the 2008 Financial Crisis on Physical and Mental Health Outcomes Among Various Social Classes in the United States.” Presented at Population Association of America, Denver
Marsala, Miles S. 2017. “Approval of Euthanasia: Changes Across Cohorts and Religion” Presented at American Sociological Association, Montreal
Erickson, Lance D., Miles S. Marsala, and Jeremy B. Yorgason. 2017. “The Long-Term Relationship of Socioeconomic Status with Mental and Physical Health of Aging Vietnam-Era Veterans and Non-veterans” Presented at International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, San Francisco (Presented by Lance D. Erickson)
Marsala, Miles S. 2016. “American Attitudes Regarding Euthanasia: How Attitudes are Changing in a General and Religious Context” Presented at American Sociological Association, Seattle
Marsala, Miles S. and Jacob S. Rugh. 2016. “Racial Segregation by Age: A New Contribution to the Segregation Debate” Presented at Population Association of America, Washington D.C. (Presented by Jacob S. Rugh)
Marsala, Miles S. 2015. “Military Service and Aging Baby Boomers: A Life Course Approach to Aging Vietnam Veterans” Presented at American Sociological Association, Chicago
Marsala, Miles S., Brent Hutchison, and Benjamin G. Gibbs. 2014. “Involved, but not in PTA: Comparing Conventional Measures of School-Based Parental Involvement with a Qualitative Approach”Presented at American Sociological Association, San Francisco
Marsala, Miles S., Dustin Steinacker, Ann Nielsen, and Benjamin G. Gibbs. 2013. “Parental Involvement in Schools: Conceptualizing Active from Passive Types of Involvement” Presented at the Pacific Sociological Association, Reno
Department
Marsala, Miles S. 2019. “Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease and the Great Recession: Did Disparities in Heart Disease Narrow or Widen Since the Great Recession?” Presented at Duke Demography of Aging Seminar, Durham
Marsala, Miles S. 2017. “Approval of Euthanasia: Changes Across Cohorts and Religion” Presented at Duke Sociology Jensen Series, Durham
Carr, Andrew, Kevin Kiley, Miles S. Marsala, Crystal Peoples, and Jessie West. 2016. “Social Cost and End-of-Life Decision Making” Presented at Duke Sociology Jensen Series, Durham
Marsala, Miles S.and Jacob S. Rugh. 2015. “Racial Segregation by Age: Trends since 1990 and Beyond” Presented at Brigham Young University Brown Bag, Provo
Invited Presentations
Marsala, Miles S. 2024. “Navigating Inequality: Unveiling the Varied Challenges Faced by Modern Families” Presented at School Behavioral Health Professionals Professional Development, Boynton Beach
Marsala, Miles S. 2020. “Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease adn the Great Recession.” To be presented Population Association of America, Washington D.C.
Marsala, Miles S. 2019. “Symmetry in Health Outcomes Based on Health Behaviors: Socioeconomic Status, Health Behaviors, and Self-Rated Health.” Presented American Sociological Association, New York City
Marsala, Miles S. 2018. “The Great Recession as a Turning Point: The Effects of the 2008 Crisis on Health Disparities.” Presented American Sociological Association, Philadelphia
Marsala, Miles S. 2018. “The Great Recession as a Turning Point: The Effects of the 2008 Financial Crisis on Physical and Mental Health Outcomes Among Various Social Classes in the United States.” Presented at Population Association of America, Denver
Marsala, Miles S. 2017. “Approval of Euthanasia: Changes Across Cohorts and Religion” Presented at American Sociological Association, Montreal
Erickson, Lance D., Miles S. Marsala, and Jeremy B. Yorgason. 2017. “The Long-Term Relationship of Socioeconomic Status with Mental and Physical Health of Aging Vietnam-Era Veterans and Non-veterans” Presented at International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, San Francisco (Presented by Lance D. Erickson)
Marsala, Miles S. 2016. “American Attitudes Regarding Euthanasia: How Attitudes are Changing in a General and Religious Context” Presented at American Sociological Association, Seattle
Marsala, Miles S. and Jacob S. Rugh. 2016. “Racial Segregation by Age: A New Contribution to the Segregation Debate” Presented at Population Association of America, Washington D.C. (Presented by Jacob S. Rugh)
Marsala, Miles S. 2015. “Military Service and Aging Baby Boomers: A Life Course Approach to Aging Vietnam Veterans” Presented at American Sociological Association, Chicago
Marsala, Miles S., Brent Hutchison, and Benjamin G. Gibbs. 2014. “Involved, but not in PTA: Comparing Conventional Measures of School-Based Parental Involvement with a Qualitative Approach”Presented at American Sociological Association, San Francisco
Marsala, Miles S., Dustin Steinacker, Ann Nielsen, and Benjamin G. Gibbs. 2013. “Parental Involvement in Schools: Conceptualizing Active from Passive Types of Involvement” Presented at the Pacific Sociological Association, Reno
Department
Marsala, Miles S. 2019. “Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease and the Great Recession: Did Disparities in Heart Disease Narrow or Widen Since the Great Recession?” Presented at Duke Demography of Aging Seminar, Durham
Marsala, Miles S. 2017. “Approval of Euthanasia: Changes Across Cohorts and Religion” Presented at Duke Sociology Jensen Series, Durham
Carr, Andrew, Kevin Kiley, Miles S. Marsala, Crystal Peoples, and Jessie West. 2016. “Social Cost and End-of-Life Decision Making” Presented at Duke Sociology Jensen Series, Durham
Marsala, Miles S.and Jacob S. Rugh. 2015. “Racial Segregation by Age: Trends since 1990 and Beyond” Presented at Brigham Young University Brown Bag, Provo
Invited Presentations
Marsala, Miles S. 2024. “Navigating Inequality: Unveiling the Varied Challenges Faced by Modern Families” Presented at School Behavioral Health Professionals Professional Development, Boynton Beach