People

Dr Cara Booker

Senior Research Fellow
Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER)
Dr Cara Booker

Profile

Qualifications

  • PhD University of Southern California, (2006)

  • MPh University of Southern California, (2002)

Appointments

University of Essex

  • Research Fellow, Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex (5/10/2012 - present)

  • Senior Research Officer, Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex (2/10/2009 - 4/10/2012)

Other academic

  • Research Assistant, MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit (MRC) (21/5/2007 - 30/9/2009)

Teaching and supervision

Previous supervision

Rebecca Gillies
Rebecca Gillies
Thesis title: The Changing Landscape of Paternal Mental Health in the UK During the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 20/12/2024
Emily Hall
Emily Hall
Thesis title: The Association Between Income, Relationships and Psychological Distress.
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 4/11/2024
Danielle Loren Arnold
Danielle Loren Arnold
Thesis title: Working with the Cards We’Re Dealt: A Longitudinal Study Exploring the Impact of Intersectional and Systemic Factors on Family Mental Health. Evidence From Understanding Society: Ukhls
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 4/11/2024
Edward Balls
Edward Balls
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 4/11/2024
Adisetu Joy Malih
Adisetu Joy Malih
Thesis title: Understanding the Biological Pathways in the Associations Between Social Position and Mental Health: An Examination of Allostatic Load
Degree subject: Biosocial Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 21/10/2024
David Martin Mcaleavey
David Martin Mcaleavey
Thesis title: Building Better Than We Know: The Residential Built Environment, Trust, Social Behaviour, Biology and Health
Degree subject: Biosocial Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 29/11/2023
Steven John Haworth
Steven John Haworth
Thesis title: The Interplay Between Social Isolation and the Immune System and the Identification of Underpinning Mechanisms
Degree subject: Biosocial Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 15/5/2023
Kristopher Desmond Bevan
Kristopher Desmond Bevan
Thesis title: Maternal Separation in Childhood and the Role of Biomarkers of Stress in its Association with Mental Health
Degree subject: Biosocial Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 9/1/2023
Alexandria Devon Andrayas
Alexandria Devon Andrayas
Thesis title: Epigenetic Biomarkers of Smoking, Inflammation, and Social Differences.
Degree subject: Biosocial Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 22/11/2022
Farzaneh Hemmati Torabi
Farzaneh Hemmati Torabi
Thesis title: The Effect of Health on the Labour Force Outcome Among Working Age Individuals in the Uk.
Degree subject: Economics
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 3/12/2020
Catherine Hammond
Catherine Hammond
Thesis title: Relationships Between Psychological Factors and Immune Dysregulation in Context: A Life Course Approach
Degree subject: Health Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 29/6/2018
Natasha May Crawford
Natasha May Crawford
Thesis title: The Social Determinants of Health: An Empirical Analysis of Ethnic and Spatial Inequalities in Health
Degree subject: Applied Social and Economic Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 22/11/2017
Marcello Morciano
Marcello Morciano
Thesis title: Latent Factor Modelling of Disability
Degree subject: Economics
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 1/4/2016

Publications

Publications (1)

Kelly, Y., Xue, B., Booker, C., Sacker, A., Lacey, R., Ploubidis, G. and Patalay, P., (2022). What (if anything) is going on? Examining longitudinal associations between social media use and mental ill-health among young people

Journal articles (32)

Liang, Y. and Booker, C., (2024). Allostatic load and chronic pain: a prospective finding from the national survey of midlife development in the United States, 2004-2014.. BMC Public Health. 24 (1), 416-

Juanchich, M., Oakley, CM., Sayer, H., Holford, DL., Bruine de Bruin, W., Booker, C., Chadborn, T., Vallee-Tourangeau, G., Wood, R. and Sirota, M., (2024). Vaccination invitations sent by warm and competent medical professionals disclosing risks and benefits increase trust and booking intention and reduce inequalities between ethnic groups.. Health Psychology. 43 (10), 718-729

Wicks, C., Booker, C., Kumari, M., Trotta, A. and McPherson, S., (2024). Are protected characteristics associated with mental health care inequalities in the adult UK general population? a cross-sectional study.. PLoS One. 19 (8), e0308279-e0308279

Murray, ET., Keating, A., Cameron, C., Benchekroun, R., Whewall, S., Booker, C. and Jivraj, S., (2024). Residence in coastal communities in adolescence and health in young adulthood: An 11-year follow-up of English UKHLS youth questionnaire respondents.. Health and Place. 87, 103239-103239

Benzeval, M., Robertson, T., Betzer, M., Booker, C., Castagné, R., Delpierre, C., Gallagher, I., Kelly-Irving, M., McCrory, C., Morris, T., Narimatsu, E. and Paval, R., (2024). A glossary for social-to-biological research. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies. 20 (20), 1-47

Birnkammer, S., Booker, CL. and Calvano, C., (2024). Victimization experiences, internalizing problems and family bonds among adolescents from the UK: multi-group structural equation modeling using an intersectionality-informed approach. Scientific Reports. 14 (1), 28753-

Liang, Y. and Booker, C., (2024). Correction to: Allostatic load and chronic pain: a prospective finding from the national survey of midlife development in the United States, 2004–2014. BMC Public Health. 24 (1), 3211-

Chung, H. and Booker, C., (2023). Flexible Working and the Division of Housework and Childcare: Examining Divisions across Arrangement and Occupational Lines. Work, Employment and Society. 37 (1), 236-256

Chandola, T., Kumari, M., Booker, CL. and Benzeval, M., (2022). The mental health impact of COVID-19 and lockdown-related stressors among adults in the UK.. Psychological Medicine. Online (14), 1-10

Booker, CL. and Meads, C., (2021). Sexual Orientation and the Incidence of COVID-19: Evidence from Understanding Society in the UK Longitudinal Household Study.. Healthcare. 9 (8), 937-937

Booker, CL., Andrews, L., Green, G. and Kumari, M., (2020). Impacts of long-standing illness and chronic illness on working hours and household income in a longitudinal UK study.. SSM - Population Health. 12, 100684-100684

Chandola, T., Kumari, M., Booker, CL. and Benzeval, MJ., (2020). The mental health impact of COVID-19 and pandemic related stressors among adults in the UK

Chandola, T., Booker, CL., Kumari, M. and Benzeval, M., (2019). Are Flexible Work Arrangements Associated with Lower Levels of Chronic Stress-Related Biomarkers? A Study of 6025 Employees in the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Sociology. 53 (4), 779-799

Booker, CL., Kelly, YJ. and Sacker, A., (2018). Gender differences in the associations between age trends of social media interaction and well-being among 10-15 year olds in the UK. BMC Public Health. 18 (1), 321-

Kelly, Y., Zilanawala, A., Booker, C. and Sacker, A., (2018). Social Media Use and Adolescent Mental Health: Findings From the UK Millennium Cohort Study. EClinicalMedicine. 6, 59-68

Booker, CL., Rieger, G. and Unger, JB., (2017). Sexual orientation health inequality: Evidence from Understanding Society , the UK Longitudinal Household Study. Preventive Medicine. 101, 126-132

Lacey, RE., Sacker, A., Kumari, M., Worts, D., McDonough, P., Booker, C. and McMunn, A., (2016). Work-family life courses and markers of stress and inflammation in mid-life: evidence from the National Child Development Study.. International Journal of Epidemiology. 45 (4), 1247-1259

McMunn, A., Lacey, R., Worts, D., McDonough, P., Stafford, M., Booker, C., Kumari, M. and Sacker, A., (2015). De-standardization and gender convergence in work–family life courses in Great Britain: A multi-channel sequence analysis. Advances in Life Course Research. 26 (1), 60-75

McDonough, P., Worts, D., Booker, C., McMunn, A. and Sacker, A., (2015). Cumulative disadvantage, employment–marriage, and health inequalities among American and British mothers. Advances in Life Course Research. 25, 49-66

Booker, CL., Skew, AJ., Kelly, YJ. and Sacker, A., (2015). Media Use, Sports Participation, and Well-Being in Adolescence: Cross-Sectional Findings From the UK Household Longitudinal Study.. American Journal of Public Health. 105 (1), 173-179

Booker, CL., Skew, AJ., Sacker, A. and Kelly, YJ., (2014). Well-Being in Adolescence-An Association With Health-Related Behaviors: Findings From Understanding Society, the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Journal of Early Adolescence. 34 (4), 518-538

Booker, CL. and Sacker, A., (2013). Labour force sequences, unemployment spells and their effect on subjective well-being set points. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies. 4 (2)

Booker, CL. and Sacker, A., (2012). Psychological well-being and reactions to multiple unemployment events: adaptation or sensitisation?. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 66 (9), 832-838

Booker, CL. and Sacker, A., (2012). Limiting long-term illness and subjective well-being in families. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies. 3 (1), 41-65

Booker, CL., Harding, S. and Benzeval, M., (2011). A systematic review of the effect of retention methods in population-based cohort studies. BMC Public Health. 11 (1), creators-Benzeval=3AMichaela=3A=3A

Booker, C. and Sacker, A., (2011). P2-30 Chronic illness and subjective well-being of family members. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. 65 (Suppl 1), A227-A228

Booker, CL. and Sacker, A., (2011). Chronic illness and subjective well-being of family members. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 65 (1), A227-A228

Leyland, A., White, I., Harding, S., Seaman, S. and Booker, CL., (2011). Maximising the return from cohort studies. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 65 (1), creators-Booker=3ACara_L=3A=3A

Booker, CL., Unger, JB., Azen, SP., Baezconde-Garbanati, L., Lickel, B. and Johnson, CA., (2008). A Longitudinal Analysis of Stressful Life Events, Smoking Behaviors, and Gender Differences in a Multicultural Sample of Adolescents. Substance Use & Misuse. 43 (11), 1521-1543

Booker, C., Unger, J., Azen, S., Baezconde-Garbanati, L., Lickel, B. and Johnson, CA., (2007). Stressful life events and smoking behaviors in Chinese adolescents: A longitudinal analysis. Nicotine & Tobacco Research. 9 (11), 1085-1094

Kipke, MD., Iverson, E., Moore, D., Booker, C., Ruelas, V., Peters, AL. and Kaufman, F., (2007). Food and Park Environments: Neighborhood-level Risks for Childhood Obesity in East Los Angeles. Journal of Adolescent Health. 40 (4), 325-333

Booker, C., Gallaher, P., Unger, J., Ritt-Olson, A. and Johnson, A., (2004). Stressful life events, smoking behavior, and intentions to smoke among a multiethnic sample of sixth graders. Ethnicity & Health. 9 (4), 369-397

Books (1)

Chandola, T. and Booker, C., (2022). Archival and Secondary Data. SAGE. 1529710979. 9781529710977

Book chapters (3)

Booker, C., Kumari, M. and Chandola, T., (2023). Social Epidemiology. In: Handbook of Epidemiology. Editors: Ahrens, W. and Pigeot, I., . Springer. 1- 33. 978-1-4614-6625-3

Booker, CL., Skew, AJ., Sacker, A. and Kelly, Y., (2012). Happiness and health-related behaviours in adolescence. In: Understanding Society: findings 2012. Editors: McFall, SL., . ISER. 11- 12. 978 1 85871 163 8

Booker, CL. and Sacker, A., (2011). Health over the life course: associations between age, employment status and well-being. In: Understanding Society: early findings from the first wave of the UK's household longitudinal study. Editors: McFall, SL. and Garrington, C., . ISER. 75- 86. 9781858711584

Conferences (3)

Booker, CL., (2015). The Effects of Changes in Disability and Limiting Long-Term Illness on Well-Being among Older UK People.

Booker, CL. and Sacker, A., (2010). PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AND REPEATED UNEMPLOYMENT EVENTS: ADAPTATION OR SENSITIZATION?

Booker, CL. and Sacker, A., (2010). PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AND REPEATED UNEMPLOYMENT EVENTS: ADAPTATION OR SENSITIZATION?

Reports and Papers (3)

Al Baghal, T., Bryson, C., Fisher, H., Hanson, T., Jessop, C., Low, H., Lynn, P., Martin, N., McKay, S., Sloan, L. and Sobolewska, M., Understanding Society Innovation Panel Wave 10: results from methodological experiments

Creighton, M., Dykema, J., Gaia, A., Cernat, A., Garbarski, D., Jamal, A., Kaminska, O., Keusch, F., Lynn, P., Oberski, D., Schaeffer, NC., Uhrig, SCN. and Yan, T., Understanding Society Innovation Panel Wave 8: results from methodological experiments

Allum, N., Auspurg, K., Blake, M., Booker, CL., Crossley, TF., d'Ardenne, J., Fairbrother, M., Iacovou, M., Jackle, AE., Kaminska, O., Lynn, P., Nicoletti, C., Oldfield, Z., Pudney, S., Schnettler, S., Uhrig, SCN., Winter, J. and Al Baghal, T., (2014). Understanding Society Innovation Panel Wave 6: results from methodological experiments

Grants and funding

2024

Working towards inclusivity in mental health care workshop

UOE Participatory Research Fund

2023

Increasing the Youth Evidence Base Contract - DCMS tender

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

NIHR ARC underspend back and forward dated projects

National Institute for Health Research

2022

FAIR TREATMENT: Federated analytics and AI Research across TREs for AdolescenT MENTal health

Medical Research Council

AI research scoping: Children's mental health (Alan Turing Institute)

University of Cambridge

Mind the Vaccination Gap: Understanding and Overcoming the Racial/Ethnic Inequalities in Vaccination Acceptance

British Academy

2021

Evaluation: Tendring District Council's Wellbeing Hubs

Tendring District Council

Youth Futures Foundation: Marginalised young people�s work outcomes, journeys, prospects and experiences

Youth Futures Foundation

Mind the Vaccination Gap: Understanding and Overcoming the Racial/Ethnic Inequalities in Vaccination Acceptance

British Academy

Development of an employability toolkit/checklist to increase employment opportunities for young people in Essex

University of Essex (ESRC IAA)

2020

Study of the effects of protected characteristics on members' experiences of NMC processes Three areas of support required: advice on statistical methods and analysis plans; commenting on NMC findings; peer review of NMC reporting

Nursing and Midwifery Council

2018

Commercial Economic and social Impact Assessment and Analysis - Analysis of national LGBT Survey

Government Equalities Office

2012

Disability and Care needs in the Older Population: Disability Benefits, Social Care and Well-Being

Economic & Social Research Council

Contact

cbooker@essex.ac.uk

Location:

2N2.4.24, Colchester Campus

More about me