Brenda DeVellis's major research interests focus on social psychological aspects of health behavior. Her current research concerns include: factors that influence how patients cope with chronic diseases such as arthritis; patient-provider communication; risk perceptions and risk communication; and womens health. She is currently directing a large population- based study in a rural North Carolina county to document the presence and determinants of depression, anxiety, and significant psychological distress among chronically ill people in the community.