Stephen J Lepore

Stephen J Lepore

  • College of Public Health

    Social and Behavioral Sciences

    Professor

    Chair

  • Fox Chase Cancer Center

    Member, Cancer Prevention and Control

Office Location

Ritter Annex 965

Direct

215-204-9422

Department

215-204-9422

Biography

Dr. Stephen Lepore is chair and professor of social and behavioral sciences. With degrees from the University of California-Irvine, Harvard University, and Clark University, Dr. Lepore’s work centers on cancer prevention, control, and survivorship. He develops evidence-based behavioral interventions to enhance the well-being of cancer survivors and promote healthy lifestyle behaviors that support cancer prevention and early detection.

A pioneer in the field, Dr. Lepore introduced the Social Cognitive Processing Model, which explores how interpersonal relationships influence psychological adjustment to cancer. This framework underpins a range of interventions—delivered individually, in groups, and online—designed to improve survivors' quality of life. His commitment to addressing cancer disparities is evident in projects targeting high-risk populations, including African American men and low-income families, with interventions promoting informed prostate cancer testing and smoking cessation. His research increasingly integrates technology, such as mHealth tools, text messaging, and online platforms, to expand the reach and impact of interventions.

Recognized for his contributions, Dr. Lepore has earned prestigious honors, including awards from the American Psychological Association and the Society of Behavioral Medicine, as well as a Fulbright Award. He is a Fellow of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, with long-standing NIH service as a charter member of the Behavioral Medicine Interventions study section. His research, supported by federal and private grants over several decades, is widely published in top-tier health, psychology, and medicine journals.

Curriculum Vitae 

Google Scholar: Stephen Lepore's Google Scholar profile

Courses Taught

Number

Name

Level

SBS 8001

Research Methods in Public Health

Graduate

Selected Publications

  • Chin, S.M., Lepore, S.J., Collins, B.N., Dumenci, L., & Rincon, M.A. (2023). Validation and Psychometric Properties of the Tobacco Urge Management Scale (TUMS). Int J Environ Res Public Health, 20(8). Switzerland. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20085453

  • Schuler, B.R., Collins, B.N., Scheuermann, T.S., Baishya, M., Kilby, L., & Lepore, S.J. (2023). Translating pediatric primary care best practice guidelines for addressing tobacco in the WIC system. Transl Behav Med, 13(2), pp. 57-63. England. doi: 10.1093/tbm/ibac079

  • Baishya, M.L., Collins, B.N., & Lepore, S.J. (2022). Antecedents of Self-Efficacy to Achieve Smoking-Behavior-Change Goals among Low-Income Parents Enrolled in an Evidence-Based Tobacco Intervention. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(20). Switzerland. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192013573

  • Reese, J.B., El-Jawahri, A., Sorice, K., Cruz, C., Bober, S.L., Daly, M.B., Zimmaro, L.A., Beach, M.C., Wittenberg, E., Wolff, A.C., Handorf, E., & Lepore, S.J. (2022). Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer clinicians' communication about sexual health. Support Care Cancer, 30(7), pp. 5801-5810. Germany. doi: 10.1007/s00520-022-07003-8

  • Collins, B.N. & Lepore, S.J. (2022). MULTILEVEL KIDS SAFE & SMOKEFREE INTERVENTION PROLONGS PARENTS' SMOKING ABSTINENCE COMPARED TO PEDIATRIC "ASK, ADVISE, REFER." ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 56(SUPP 1), pp. S321-S321. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Lepore, S.J. & Revenson, T.A. (2022). INADEQUATE SLEEP LINKED TO DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS THROUGH INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS AMONG CANCER SURVIVORS. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 56(SUPP 1), pp. S496-S496. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Baishya, M., Collins, B.N., Lepore, S.J., Goodwin, R., & Berardi, V. (2022). DUAL CANNABIS AND TOBACCO SMOKING AMONG MOTHERS INCREASES CHILDREN'S COTININE AND UNDERMINES MOTHERS' SUSTAINED ABSTINENCE. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 56(SUPP 1), pp. S166-S166. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Collins, B.N., Lepore, S.J., & Egleston, B.L. (2022). Multilevel Intervention for Low-Income Maternal Smokers in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Am J Public Health, 112(3), pp. 472-481. United States. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2021.306601

  • Berardi, V., Collins, B.N., Glynn, L.M., Lepore, S.J., Mahabee-Gittens, E.M., Wilson, K.M., & Hovell, M.F. (2022). Real-time feedback of air quality in children's bedrooms reduces exposure to secondhand smoke. Tob Prev Cessat, 8, p. 23. Greece. doi: 10.18332/tpc/149908

  • Reese, J.B., Zimmaro, L.A., Bober, S.L., Sorice, K., Handorf, E., Wittenberg, E., El-Jawahri, A., Beach, M.C., Wolff, A.C., Daly, M.B., Izquierdo, B., & Lepore, S.J. (2021). Mobile Technology-Based (mLearning) Intervention to Enhance Breast Cancer Clinicians' Communication About Sexual Health: A Pilot Trial. J Natl Compr Canc Netw, 19(10), pp. 1133-1140. United States. doi: 10.6004/jnccn.2021.7032

  • Lepore, S.J., Collins, B.N., Killam, H.W., & Barry, B. (2021). Supportive Accountability and Mobile App Use in a Tobacco Control Intervention Targeting Low-Income Minority Mothers Who Smoke: Observational Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 9(7), p. e28175. Canada. doi: 10.2196/28175

  • Kaynak, Ã., Whipple, C.R., Kliewer, W.L., & Lepore, S.J. (2021). Peer Victimization Exposure and Subsequent Substance Use in Early Adolescence: The Role of Sleep Problems. J Youth Adolesc, 50(6), pp. 1254-1267. United States. doi: 10.1007/s10964-021-01410-6

  • Reese, J.B., Sorice, K.A., Pollard, W., Handorf, E., Beach, M.C., Daly, M.B., Porter, L.S., Tulsky, J.A., & Lepore, S.J. (2021). Efficacy of a multimedia intervention in facilitating breast cancer patients' clinical communication about sexual health: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Psychooncology, 30(5), pp. 681-690. England. doi: 10.1002/pon.5613

  • Reese, J.B., Handorf, E., Sorice, K.A., Pollard, W.A., Beach, M.C., Daly, M.B., Porter, L.S., Tulsky, J.A., & Lepore, S.J. (2021). CAN A SEXUAL HEALTH COMMUNICATION SKILLS INTERVENTION AFFECT BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS' ENGAGEMENT IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY? RESULTS FROM A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 55, pp. S606-S606. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Schuler, B.R., Collins, B.N., Scheuermann, T.S., Baishya, M., & Lepore, S.J. (2021). KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES OF WIC STAFF TOWARDS ADDRESSING CHILD EXPOSURE TO TOBACCO SMOKE AMONG LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 55, pp. S291-S291. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Reese, J.B., Lepore, S.J., Zimmaro, L.A., Sorice, K.A., Adekunle, F., Pollard, W.A., Handorf, E., Daly, M.B., Schover, L.R., Westbrook, K., & Porter, L.S. (2021). ADDRESSING SEXUAL CONCERNS IN BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS: PROGRESS FROM AN ONGOING RCT OF A NOVEL COUPLE-BASED INTERVENTION. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 55, pp. S555-S555. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Baishya, M., Collins, B.N., & Lepore, S.J. (2021). FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE SMOKING CESSATION RELATED SELF-EFFICACY: A PRIMARY MEDIATOR IN THE KISS TRIAL. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 55, pp. S220-S220. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Carney, E.M., Fisher, J.O., Collins, B.N., & Lepore, S.J. (2021). SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGE INTAKE IN MOTHER-CHILD DYADS BEFORE AND AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF PHILADELPHIA'S BEVERAGE TAX. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 55, pp. S436-S436. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Collins, B.N., Lepore, S.J., Egleston, B.L., & Kilby, L. (2021). BABIES LIVING SAFE & SMOKEFREE (BLISS): MULTILEVEL BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION IMPROVES LONG-TERM PARENT QUIT RATES. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 55, pp. S73-S73. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Kaynak, O., Whipple, C.R., Kliewer, W., & Lepore, S.J. (2021). PEER VICTIMIZATION EXPOSURE AND SUBSEQUENT SUBSTANCE USE IN ADOLESCENTS: THE ROLE OF SLEEP PROBLEMS. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 55, pp. S346-S346. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Reese, J., Sorice, K., Pollard, W., Cruz, C., Zimmaro, L.A., Adekunle, F., Lepore, S.J., Beach, M.C., Wittenberg, E., Wolff, A.C., Bober, S.L., El-Jawahri, A., Handorf, E., & Daly, M.B. (2021). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer clinicians' communication about sexual health: results of a mixed quantitative and qualitative study. PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, 30, pp. 61-61. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Lepore, S.J., Collins, B.N., Killam, H.W., & Barry, B. (2021). Supportive Accountability and Mobile App Use in a Tobacco Control Intervention Targeting Low-Income Minority Mothers Who Smoke: Observational Study (Preprint). doi: 10.2196/preprints.28175

  • Collins, B.N., Lepore, S.J., Winickoff, J.P., & Sosnowski, D.W. (2020). Parents' Self-efficacy for Tobacco Exposure Protection and Smoking Abstinence Mediate Treatment Effects on Child Cotinine at 12-Month Follow-up: Mediation Results from the Kids Safe and Smokefree Trial. Nicotine Tob Res, 22(11), pp. 1981-1988. England. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntz175

  • (2020). Early Detection. In Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine (pp. 711-711). doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_300560

  • Lepore, S.J. & Kliewer, W. (2020). Expressive Writing and Health. In Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine (pp. 817-823). doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_1225

  • Reese, J.B., Sorice, K.A., Zimmaro, L.A., Lepore, S.J., & Beach, M.C. (2020). Communication about Sexual Health in Breast Cancer: What Can We Learn from Patients' Self-Report and Clinic Dialogue? Patient Educ Couns, 103(9), pp. 1821-1829. Ireland. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2020.03.029

  • Reese, J.B., Sorice, K.A., Pollard, W., Zimmaro, L.A., Beach, M.C., Handorf, E., & Lepore, S.J. (2020). Understanding Sexual Help-Seeking for Women With Breast Cancer: What Distinguishes Women Who Seek Help From Those Who Do Not? J Sex Med, 17(9), pp. 1729-1739. Netherlands. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.06.004

  • Zimmaro, L.A., Lepore, S.J., Beach, M.C., & Reese, J.B. (2020). Patients' perceived barriers to discussing sexual health with breast cancer healthcare providers. Psychooncology, 29(7), pp. 1123-1131. England. doi: 10.1002/pon.5386

  • Reese, J.B., Beach, M.C., Sorice, K.A., Pollard, W., Daly, M.B., Handorf, E.A., Porter, L.S., Tulsky, J.A., & Lepore, S.J. (2020). Can a brief multimedia intervention facilitate breast cancer patients’ communication about sexual health? Findings from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 38(15_suppl), pp. e24179-e24179. doi: 10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.e24179

  • Reese, J.B., Lepore, S.J., Daly, M.B., Handorf, E., Sorice, K.A., Porter, L.S., Tulsky, J.A., & Beach, M.C. (2020). Can a brief multimedia intervention facilitate breast cancer patients' communication about sexual health? Findings from a randomized controlled trial. JOURNAL of CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, 38(15). Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Reese, J.B., Carpenter, K.M., Bober, S.L., & Lepore, S.J. (2020). FEMALE SEXUAL HEALTH AND CANCER: BRIDGING THE GAP TO EFFECTIVE EVIDENCE-BASED BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 54, pp. S401-S401. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Lepore, S.J., Sosnowski, D.W., & Bradley, C.N. (2020). BEHAVIORAL CESSATION INTERVENTION MAY MITIGATE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF POOR SLEEP ON LONG-TERM ABSTINENCE IN LOW-INCOME SMOKERS. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 54, pp. S126-S126. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Lepore, S.J., Bradley, C.N., Sosnowski, D.W., & Godfrey, M. (2020). PILOT TRIAL OF COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY INTERVENTION TO IMPROVE CONTRACEPTION USE IN WOMEN AT RISK FOR UNINTENDED PREGNANCY. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 54, pp. S518-S518. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Reese, J.B., Sorice, K.A., Pollard, W., Zimmaro, L.A., Beach, M.C., & Lepore, S.J. (2020). UNDERSTANDING SEXUAL HELP-SEEKING FOR WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER: HOW DO WOMEN WHO SEEK HELP DIFFER FROM THOSE WHO DO NOT? ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 54, pp. S402-S402. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Kaynak, O., Whipple, C.R., Kliewer, W., & Lepore, S.J. (2020). COMMUNITY VIOLENCE AND RISK FOR SUBSEQUENT SUBSTANCE USE IN ADOLESCENTS: ROLE OF SLEEP PROBLEMS. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 54, pp. S121-S121. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Zimmaro, L.A., Beach, M.C., Lepore, S.J., & Reese, J.B. (2020). WHAT ARE BREAST CANCER PATIENTS' BELIEFS ABOUT DISCUSSING SEXUAL HEALTH WITH THEIR PROVIDERS? ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 54, pp. S520-S520. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Reese, J.B., Zimmaro, L.A., Lepore, S.J., Sorice, K.A., Handorf, E., Daly, M.B., Schover, L.R., Kashy, D., Westbrook, K., & Porter, L.S. (2020). Evaluating a couple-based intervention addressing sexual concerns for breast cancer survivors: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 21(1), p. 173. England. doi: 10.1186/s13063-019-3975-2

  • Ralph, N., Ng, S.K., Zajdlewicz, L., Lepore, S.J., Heathcote, P., Kneebone, A., Dunn, J.C., & Chambers, S.K. (2020). Ten-year quality of life outcomes in men with prostate cancer. Psychooncology, 29(2), pp. 444-449. England. doi: 10.1002/pon.5255

  • O'Connor, K.E., Farrell, A.D., Kliewer, W., & Lepore, S.J. (2019). Social and Emotional Adjustment Across Aggressor/Victim Subgroups: Are Aggressive-Victims Distinct? J Youth Adolesc, 48(11), pp. 2222-2240. United States. doi: 10.1007/s10964-019-01104-0

  • Lepore, S.J. & Kliewer, W. (2019). Social Intelligence Attenuates Association between Peer Victimization and Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents. Psychol Violence, 9(6), pp. 644-652. United States. doi: 10.1037/vio0000234

  • Lepore, S.J., Collins, B.N., & Sosnowski, D.W. (2019). Self-efficacy as a pathway to long-term smoking cessation among low-income parents in the multilevel Kids Safe and Smokefree intervention. Drug Alcohol Depend, 204, p. 107496. Ireland. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.05.027

  • Lepore, S.J. & Kliewer, W. (2019). Expressive Writing and Health. In Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine (pp. 1-6). doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_1225-2

  • Lepore, S.J., Rincon, M.A., Buzaglo, J.S., Golant, M., Lieberman, M.A., Bass, S.B., & Chambers, S. (2019). Digital literacy linked to engagement and psychological benefits among breast cancer survivors in Internet-based peer support groups. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl), 28(4), p. e13134. England. doi: 10.1111/ecc.13134

  • Lepore, S.J. & Roberts, K.J. (2019). Cancer: Prostate. In Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine: Third Edition (pp. 446-447).

  • Davis, S.M., Lepore, S.J., & Dumenci, L. (2019). Psychometric properties and correlates of a brief scale measuring the psychological construct mattering to others in a sample of women recovering from breast cancer. Qual Life Res, 28(6), pp. 1605-1614. Netherlands. doi: 10.1007/s11136-019-02118-8

  • Reese, J.B., Lepore, S.J., Daly, M.B., Handorf, E., Sorice, K.A., Porter, L.S., Tulsky, J.A., & Beach, M.C. (2019). A brief intervention to enhance breast cancer clinicians' communication about sexual health: Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes. Psychooncology, 28(4), pp. 872-879. England. doi: 10.1002/pon.5036

  • Lepore, S.J., Collins, B., Hunt-Johnson, A., Godfrey, M., Stefy, G., Adekunle, F., & Davis, S. (2019). SOCIAL, PRACTICAL AND MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS LINKED TO MHEALTH ENGAGEMENT IN LOW-INCOME WOMEN IN SMOKING CESSATION INTERVENTION. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 53, pp. S220-S220. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Davis, S., Collins, B., Lepore, S.J., Godfrey, M., Adekunle, F., Stefy, G., & Hunt-Johnson, A. (2019). EXPLORING MINDFULNESS AND ITS PSYCHOSOCIAL CORRELATES IN A POPULATION OF LOW-INCOME FEMALE TOBACCO SMOKERS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 53, pp. S563-S563. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Collins, B., Lepore, S.J., Davis, S., Hunt-Johnson, A., Godfrey, M., Adekunle, F., & Stefy, G. (2019). DUAL MARIJUANA plus TOBACCO SMOKING AMONG UNDERSERVED MOTHERS RELATES TO HIGHER CHILD COTININE COMPARED TO TOBACCO SMOKING ALONE. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 53, pp. S404-S404. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Davis, S., Collins, B., Lepore, S.J., Hunt-Johnson, A., & Stefy, G. (2019). MHEALTH APP USE COACHING GUIDED BY A SUPPORTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY PARADIGM BOOSTS MULTIPLE HEALTH PROMOTION APP ENGAGEMENT. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 53, pp. S586-S586. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Zimmermann, C.F., Hurt, C., Lepore, S.J., & Revenson, T.A. (2019). PREDICTORS OF CANCER INDUCED COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT (CICI) AMONG COLORECTAL CANCER PATIENTS. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 53, pp. S554-S554. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Reese, J.B., Beach, M.C., Sorice, K., Daly, M.B., Porter, L.S., & Lepore, S.J. (2019). DEVELOPING A VIDEO INTERVENTION TO ENHANCE BREAST CANCER PATIENTS' CLINICAL COMMUNICATION ABOUT SEXUAL HEALTH. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 53, pp. S520-S520. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Lepore, S.J., Revenson, T.A., Roberts, K.J., Davis, S.N., Kaynak, O.I., & Zimmermann, C.F. (2019). COGNITIVE PROCESSING WITHOUT SOCIAL CONSTRAINTS LINKED TO POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH AMONG COLORECTAL CANCER SURVIVORS. ANNALS of BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 53, pp. S261-S261. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/

  • Reese, J.B., Sorice, K., Lepore, S.J., Daly, M.B., Tulsky, J.A., & Beach, M.C. (2019). Patient-clinician communication about sexual health in breast cancer: A mixed-methods analysis of clinic dialogue. Patient Educ Couns, 102(3), pp. 436-442. Ireland. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2018.10.003