REACH Lab Publications & Media Engagement

A comprehensive list of all academic publications, research briefs, and media engagement stemming from projects associated with the REACH Lab.

Academic Publications

The burden mothers bear: Using the health belief model to understand how U.S. mothers’ intersectional identities shape health decision-making during COVID-19
Author: Sydney O’Shay, Kaitlin E. Phillips, and Marissa J. Sáez

Date: December 15, 2024
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How affected family members communicate about their loved one’s non-medical opioid use
Authors: Suzanne Brown, Sydney O’Shay, Emily Pasman, Danielle L. Hicks, Elizabeth Agius, & Stella M. Resko 

Date: November 1, 2023
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Affected family members' communicative management of stigma related to their loved ones’ opioid misuse: Applying and rethinking the stigma management communication typology
Authors: Sydney O’Shay, Emily Pasman, Danielle L. Hicks, Suzanne Brown, Elizabeth Agius, & Stella M. Resko 

Date: March 9, 2023
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“Do not carry the load by yourself”: Advice for families affected by opioid misuse
Authors: Florentine S. Friedrich, Emily Pasman, Lena Boraginna-Ballard, Sydney O’Shay, Kathryn Szechy, Jennifer D. Ellis, Stella M. Resko, & Suzanne Brown  

Date: February 20, 2023 
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Stigma communication surrounding nonmedical opioid use among affected family members
Authors: Emily Pasman, Sydney O’Shay, Danielle L. Hicks, Stella M. Resko, Elizabeth Agius, & Suzanne Brown 

Date: January 18, 2023 
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“We weren’t raised that way”: Using stigma management communication theory to understand how families manage the stigma of substance abuse
Author: Sydney O’Shay 

Date: February 18, 2019
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Research Briefs

Utahns’ Perceptions of Risk Related to Poor Air Quality Differ by Demographics & Location
Authors: Bailey Hughlett, Sydney O'Shay, & Cris Meier
 
Date: October 2025
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Utahns’ Beliefs and Behaviors Related to Air Quality
Authors: Sydney O’Shay & Mehmet Soyer 

Date: 2024
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Air Pollution Associated with Perception of Increased Health Risks for People Living with Disabilities in Utah: Policy Brief #2023-3
Authors: Bosede Adejugbe, Gabriele Ciciurkaite, Sydney O’Shay, & Jessica D. Ulrich-Schad 

Date: November 20, 2023
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Utahns see air pollution as a problem, but don’t feel they can do much about it
Authors: Sydney O’Shay, Bailey Hughlett, & Cris Meier 

Date: November 6, 2023
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Addressing the opioid crisis: An evaluation of the community opioid education project
Authors: Gabriela Murza, Crist Meier, Lily Ward, Sydney O’Shay, & Dru Faldmo 

Date: September 22, 2023
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Media Engagement

Morning Brief: September 2, 2025
News Outlets: KUER 90.1

Date: September 2, 2025
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Utah scientists worry health research could be swept up in DEI-targeted funding cuts
Authors: Elle Crossley

News Outlets: KUER 90.1

Date: September 2, 2025
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Voices: I’ve lost two siblings to overdose. Families like mine need better support.
Authors: Sydney O’Shay

Date: August 31, 2025
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A pervasive and persistent issue: Utahns lack confidence to act against air pollution
Authors: Clarissa Casper 

News Outlets: The Herald Journal

Date: November 9, 2023
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Communication and stigma with Sydney O’Shay on Tuesday’s Access Utah
Authors: Tom Williams

News Outlet: Utah Public Radio

Date: May 16, 2023
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Study sheds light on how families overcome opioid stigma
Authors: Max McDermott

News Outlet: Utah Public Radio

Date: May 8, 2023 
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The stigma around opioid abuse is more than individual. Families feel it too.
Authors: Curtis Booker 

News Outlet: KUER 90.1

Date: May 2, 2023 
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