Shu Xu

Clinical Associate Professor of Biostatistics

Professional overview

Dr. Shu Xu’s work represents a balance of both statistical and applied aspects of quantitative methodology. Her primary quantitative interests include evaluating and developing statistical methods for longitudinal data analysis. Specifically, Dr. Xu’s research focuses on various aspects of latent growth models, missing data methods, and causal inference models.

Dr. Xu has collaborated with substance use, family, and health researchers to advance and share her knowledge of quantitative methodology and pursue a better understanding of the social sciences and public health. She has conducted research with the Family Translational Research Group at NYU and the Methodology Center at the Pennsylvania State University.

Education

BS, Psychology, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China

MS, Quantitative Psychology, University of California, Davis

PhD, Quantitative Psychology, University of California, Davis

Areas of research and study

Biostatistics

Family research

Longitudinal Data Analysis

Missing Data Methods

Mixture Models

Quantitative Research

Publications

Publications

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders: Disparities in the Prevalence of Multiple Chronic Conditions

Role of social-cognitive factors in the relationship between e-cigarette use and subsequent cigarette smoking among U.S. youth: A causal mediation analysis

Longitudinal association between e-cigarette use and respiratory symptoms among US adults: Findings from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study Waves 4–5

Karey, E., Xu, S., He, P., Niaura, R. S., Cleland, C. M., Stevens, E. R., Sherman, S. E., El-Shahawy, O., Cantrell, J., & Jiang, N. (n.d.).

Publication year

2024

Journal title

PloS one

Volume

19

Issue

2

10.1371/journal.pone.0299834

Abstract

Abstract

Background We assessed longitudinal effects of e-cigarette use on respiratory symptoms in a nationally representative sample of US adults by combustible tobacco smoking status. Methods We analyzed Waves 4–5 public-use data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. Study sample included adult respondents who reported no diagnosis of respiratory diseases at Wave 4, and completed Waves 4–5 surveys with no missing data on analytic variables (N = 15,291). Outcome was a validated index of functionally important respiratory symptoms based on 7 wheezing/cough questions (range 0–9). An index score of 2 was defined as having important respiratory symptoms. Weighted lagged logistic regression models were performed to examine the association between e-cigarette use status at Wave 4 (former/current vs. never use) and important respiratory symptoms at Wave 5 by combustible tobacco smoking status (i.e., never/former/current smokers), adjusting for Wave 4 respiratory symptom index, sociodemographic characteristics, secondhand smoke exposure, body mass index, and chronic disease. Results Among current combustible tobacco smokers, e-cigarette use was associated with increased odds of reporting important respiratory symptoms (former e-cigarette use: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07–1.81; current e-cigarette use: AOR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.17–2.06). Among former combustible tobacco smokers, former e-cigarette use (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.06–2.15)—but not current e-cigarette use (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI: 0.91–2.78)—was associated with increased odds of important respiratory symptoms. Among never combustible tobacco smokers, no significant association was detected between e-cigarette use and important respiratory symptoms (former e-cigarette use: AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 0.76–3.46; current e-cigarette use: AOR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.27–2.56). Conclusions The association between e-cigarette use and respiratory symptoms varied by combustible tobacco smoking status. Current combustible tobacco smokers who use e-cigarettes have an elevated risk of respiratory impairments.

Prevalence and risk factors of PTSD symptoms: a 3-month follow-up study

The impact of the 2014 military conflict in the east of Ukraine and the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea among patients receiving opioid agonist therapies

Association of Racial Discrimination With Adiposity in Children and Adolescents

Examining the effects of cumulative environmental stressors on Gulf Coast child and adolescent health

Meltzer, G. Y., Merdjanoff, A. A., Xu, S., Gershon, R., Emrich, C. T., & Abramson, D. M. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

Population and Environment

Volume

45

Issue

3

10.1007/s11111-023-00436-1

Abstract

Abstract

This study examines how community-level cumulative environmental stress affects child and adolescent emotional distress and chronic health conditions both directly and indirectly through stressors at the household, family, and individual levels. Data comes from the Women and their Children’s Health (WaTCH) Study, which sought to understand the health implications of exposure to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DHOS) among a cohort of 596 mothers with children ages 10 to 17 in southeastern Louisiana. Community-level environmental stress was measured using a newly developed geospatial index. Household-level stressors included previous hurricane impacts, impacts of DHOS, degree of financial difficulty, and degree of housing physical decay. Family stressors included maternal depression, self-rated physical health, and degree of parenting stress. Child stress was based on perceived stress; child mental health was based on serious emotional disturbance; and child physical health was based on diagnosis of chronic illness. Structural equation modeling used weighted least squares means and variance and theta parameterization. Results showed a significant negative direct path between community-level cumulative environmental stress and child/adolescent serious emotional disturbance and chronic illness. However, the indirect relationship through household, family, and individual-level stressors was significant and positive for both child/adolescent serious emotional disturbance and chronic illness. These findings point to the centrality of the household and family in determining child and adolescent physical and mental health outcomes in communities exposed to frequent disasters and ongoing environmental stressors.

Predictors of Crosscutting Patterns of Psychological Health and Family Maltreatment

Tutorial on Causal Mediation Analysis With Binary Variables: An Application to Health Psychology Research

Use of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) devices among U.S. Youth and adults: Findings from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study Waves 1–5

Cigar Use Progression Among New Cigar Initiators: A Two-Part Growth Curve Analysis Among a Youth and Young Adult Cohort

Cantrell, J., Xu, S., Kreslake, J., Liu, M., & Hair, E. (n.d.).

Publication year

2022

Journal title

Nicotine and Tobacco Research

Volume

24

Issue

1

Page(s)

28-36

10.1093/ntr/ntab143

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: Youth and young adults (YYAs) are at high risk of cigar use. This study's objective was to examine progression and sociodemographic differences in current cigar use and frequency among new cigar initiators. Aims and Methods: We conducted a two-part latent growth model among a nationally representative cohort of cigar initiators (aged 15-25) to examine 24-month trajectories of current cigar use and frequency (n = 1483). The cohort was recruited via address-based sampling with online data collection from 2014 to 2019 and surveyed approximately every 6 months. Results: The unconditional odds of current cigar use (ie, past 30-day use) within 6 months of initiation was 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.63, 0.82), corresponding to a probability of 42%. The odds of current use among recent cigar initiates declined 6 months after initiation and was followed by a stabilization in use over time. Among continued users, frequency (# days used in past 30 days) increased linearly over time but remained low (3.47 days/months at 24 months). Younger individuals, non-Hispanic African Americans, those with lower subjective financial status, and current users of cigarettes, other tobacco products and/or marijuana were at highest risk within 6 months of initiation. Males, younger users, and current cigarette smokers had the highest risk for cigar progression over time. Conclusions: This study is the first to examine longitudinal cigar use patterns among YYA cigar initiators. Findings emphasize the need for research across the cigar use spectrum and the importance of interventions targeted by age, stage of use, cigarette, other tobacco, and marijuana use and key sociodemographics to interrupt use pathways. Implications: This study is the first to examine progression of cigar use among YYAs who have newly initiated cigars. Results show a high probability of current cigar use within 6 months of initiation followed by a rapid decline and stabilization over time. Frequency increases among those who continue using cigars. Males, younger users, and current cigarette smokers had the highest risk for cigar progression over time. Findings emphasize the need for targeting interventions by age, stage of use, cigarette, other tobacco, and marijuana use and key sociodemographics to interrupt use pathways.

Passive exposure to e-cigarette emissions is associated with worsened mental health

Recurrent Injecting Drug Use as a Mediator between Psychiatric Disorder and Non-Fatal Overdose

Relationships Between E-cigarette Use and Subsequent Cigarette Initiation Among Adolescents in the PATH Study: an Entropy Balancing Propensity Score Analysis

The Mediating Effect of E-Cigarette Harm Perception in the Relationship between E-Cigarette Advertising Exposure and E-Cigarette Use

Youth E-Cigarette Use and Functionally Important Respiratory Symptoms: The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Waves 3 and 4

Cannabis Use and the Onset of Cigarette and E-cigarette Use: A Prospective, Longitudinal Study among Youth in the United States

E-cigarette use, systemic inflammation, and depression

Self-report measures of coercive process in couple and parent–child dyads.

High Sensitivity and Specificity Screening for Clinically Significant Intimate Partner Violence

Psychology of wearing face masks to prevent transition of COVID-19

The lump-versus-split dilemma in couple observational coding: A multisite analysis of rapid marital interaction coding system data.

Using Security Questions to Link Participants in Longitudinal Data Collection

Patterns of psychological health problems and family maltreatment among United States Air Force members

A New Look at the Psychometrics of the Parenting Scale Through the Lens of Item Response Theory