Eric Anthony Grollman
Eric Anthony Grollman is a PhD candidate in Sociology at Indiana University and a Ford Diversity Predoctoral Fellow. Eric’s main research interests are in medical sociology, social psychology, sexualities, race/class/gender, sex and gender, race and ethnicity, and research methods. In particular, Eric’s work focuses on the effects of prejudice and discrimination on marginalized groups’ health, well-being, and worldviews.
Eric’s dissertation examines the prevalence, distribution, and health consequences of perceived discrimination. In light of mixed findings regarding the extent to which perceived discrimination contributes to health disparities, his dissertation investigates three research questions. First, what experiences and dimensions of discrimination are captured in existing measures of major lifetime and everyday discrimination, and unfair treatment? In particular, Eric examines whether the prevalence, distribution, and mental and physical health consequences of perceived discrimination vary by question wording (i.e., “unfair treatment” versus “discrimination”), and whether measures of discrimination reflect a uni- or multidimensional structure. Second, what are the prevalence, distribution, and mental and physical health consequences of multiple forms of perceived discrimination among adults and youth? Relatedly, are the health effects of multiple forms of perceived discrimination larger than those of a single form of discrimination (e.g., race discrimination). Finally, is sexual health associated with perceived discrimination among adults and youth? Eric uses data from the National Survey of Midlife Development (MIDUS), Americans’ Changing Lives Survey, and the Black Youth Culture Survey to investigate these questions. Overall, Eric’s dissertation aims to advance and extend research on perceived discrimination and health: greater clarity regarding what is captured in existing measures of discrimination; more specificity regarding the dimensions of discrimination that drive its relationship with health; and, documenting the full range of health and well-being outcomes that are associated with perceived discrimination.
Eric has experience teaching the Sociology of Sexuality at Indiana University, as well as at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a Diversity Fellow. In addition to his teaching and research, Eric has been actively involved in the department’s Executive Committee, Graduate Student Association, Race and Ethnic Relations Committee, and Public Sociology Forum. He has served as the graduate student representative for the American Sociological Association (ASA) Section on Sexualities, and as a member of the ASA Section on Social Psychology Graduate Student Advisory Committee. Outside of the academic community, Eric volunteers at a local rape crisis center and domestic violence shelter, and blogs for the Kinsey Institute (http://kinseyconfidential.org). You can find Eric’s webpage at http://egrollman.com/
