Featured Publications
Expertise in Tool Use Promotes Tool Embodiment
Weser VU, Proffitt DR. Expertise in Tool Use Promotes Tool Embodiment. Topics In Cognitive Science 2021, 13: 597-609. PMID: 34080797, DOI: 10.1111/tops.12538.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEvaluation of a virtual reality E-cigarette prevention game for adolescents
Weser VU, Duncan LR, Sands BE, Schartmann A, Jacobo S, François B, Hieftje KD. Evaluation of a virtual reality E-cigarette prevention game for adolescents. Addictive Behaviors 2021, 122: 107027. PMID: 34225030, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107027.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSocial perceptionPerceptions of harmIntervention acceptabilityE-cigarette knowledgeVR experienceAdolescents' satisfactionSocial approvalVR gameplayPerceptionGameplay experiencePreliminary efficacySubjects ANOVAE-cigarette useNon-equivalent control groupMiddle schoolVR playerSatisfactionNicotine addictionVirtual reality hardwareGameplayAdolescentsVRDependent variableControl groupGameMaking the Visual Tangible: Substituting Lifting Speed Limits for Object Weight in VR
Weser V, Proffitt D. Making the Visual Tangible: Substituting Lifting Speed Limits for Object Weight in VR. PRESENCE Virtual And Augmented Reality 2018, 27: 68-79. DOI: 10.1162/pres_a_00319.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNavigation in immersive virtual reality: a comparison of 1:1 walking to 1:1 wheeling
Weser V, Sieberer J, Berry J, Tuakli-Wosornu Y. Navigation in immersive virtual reality: a comparison of 1:1 walking to 1:1 wheeling. Virtual Reality 2023, 28: 4. DOI: 10.1007/s10055-023-00901-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchVirtual environmentComplex virtual environmentsVirtual reality experienceImmersive virtual realityVR developersVirtual worldVR locomotionLocomotion techniquesUser experienceSystem usabilityReality experienceVirtual realityReal worldSimulator sicknessMost applicationsVRDiverse needsSpatial updating taskDevelopersUsabilityUsersNavigationUpdating taskNegative affectApplications
2024
Barriers to Effective Infection Prevention in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Weser V, Crocker A, Murray T, Wright J, Truesdell E, Ciaburri R, Marks A, Martinello R, Hieftje K, Team H. Barriers to Effective Infection Prevention in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Advances In Neonatal Care 2024, 24: 475-484. PMID: 39196970, DOI: 10.1097/anc.0000000000001195.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPatients' family membersInfection preventionFamily membersGroup of nursesReduce nurses’ burdenHand hygieneHospital-wide surveyIntensive care unitInductive content analysisDesign of educational interventionsCare unitNeonatal intensive care unitImprove patient outcomesEffective infection preventionHH educationNursing burdenEducational interventionFrontline staffHospital staffNeonatal nursesIP educationPatient's familyRisk of infection transmissionFocus groupsIP behavior
2023
Use of Immersive Virtual Reality Spaces to Engage Adolescent and Young Adult Patients With Cancer in Therapist-Guided Support Groups: Protocol for a Pre-Post Study
Marks A, Garbatini A, Hieftje K, Puthenpura V, Weser V, Fernandes C. Use of Immersive Virtual Reality Spaces to Engage Adolescent and Young Adult Patients With Cancer in Therapist-Guided Support Groups: Protocol for a Pre-Post Study. JMIR Research Protocols 2023, 12: e48761. PMID: 37943596, PMCID: PMC10667982, DOI: 10.2196/48761.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERYoung adult patientsSupport groupsAdult patientsYoung adultsMean attendance rateSupport group interventionNon-Hispanic blacksNon-Hispanic whitesOverall retention rateNon-Hispanic AsiansRare disease populationPeer support groupsFacilitated support groupBone marrow failureMedian ageCommon diagnosisPreliminary efficacyHematologic malignanciesDisease populationLife measuresPatientsFinal intervention sessionTransgender femalesPsychosocial supportIncorporating Virtual Reality in Public Health Campaigns: COVID-19 as the Context
Xu Z, Weser V, Peng L, Laffidy M. Incorporating Virtual Reality in Public Health Campaigns: COVID-19 as the Context. Social Science Computer Review 2023, 42: 307-325. DOI: 10.1177/08944393231185257.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIntentions/behavioursMessage exposurePublic health campaignsConstrual level theoryPrint messagesEffects of VRPsychological distanceHealth campaignsLevel theoryCOVID-19Higher intentionRisk perceptionUnvaccinated participantsVirtual realityParticipantsHealth interventionsHealth risksVRWeeksHigh levelsPerceptionContextExposureMessagesExperimental treatmentsPilot-testing a Multiplayer HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Video Game Intervention for Black Adolescent Girls: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Weser V, Opara I, Budge M, Duncan L, Fernandes C, Hussett-Richardson S, Sands B, Hieftje K. Pilot-testing a Multiplayer HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Video Game Intervention for Black Adolescent Girls: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols 2023, 12: e43666. PMID: 36689272, PMCID: PMC9903186, DOI: 10.2196/43666.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBlack adolescent girlsVideo game interventionAdolescent girlsGame interventionINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERGame-based interventionsPeer group structureControl condition participantsBehavioral skillsCondition participantsIntervention conditionFace interventionsHealthy decisionsWeb-based studyControl conditionSocial normsIndividual outcomesIntervention feasibilityCondom usePositive attitudesPrior researchSecondary outcomesSTI testingMultiplayer gamesSexual communicationBlack Adolescent Females’ Perceptions of PrEP for HIV Risk Reduction
Budge M, Opara I, Weser V, Sands B, Hieftje K. Black Adolescent Females’ Perceptions of PrEP for HIV Risk Reduction. Journal Of The International Association Of Providers Of AIDS Care (JIAPAC) 2023, 22: 23259582231206934. PMID: 37853731, PMCID: PMC10588402, DOI: 10.1177/23259582231206934.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdolescent femalesPrEP awarenessHIV transmissionHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) preventionAdoption of PrEPBlack adolescent femalesHIV prevention strategiesHIV risk reductionPerceptions of PrEPPreexposure prophylaxisAdherence concernsPrEP useSide effectsPrevention strategiesVirus preventionEducational campaignsPrEPNegative side effectsRisk reductionHigh rateConstant comparative methodFemalesFocus groupsEthnic groupsProphylaxis
2022
Feeling Invisible and Unheard: A Qualitative Exploration of Gendered-Racist Stereotypes Influence on Sexual Decision Making and Mistreatment of Black Teen Girls
Opara I, Weser V, Sands B, Fernandes CF, Hussett-Richardson S, Hieftje K. Feeling Invisible and Unheard: A Qualitative Exploration of Gendered-Racist Stereotypes Influence on Sexual Decision Making and Mistreatment of Black Teen Girls. Youth & Society 2022, 54: 527-546. PMID: 35812173, PMCID: PMC9265258, DOI: 10.1177/0044118x221075051.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTeen girlsForms of discriminationBlack feminist thoughtSexual decision makingGendered RacismAdult alliesBlack feministFeminist thoughtFamily settingsQualitative explorationQualitative studyNegative stereotypesStereotype influencesMajor themesStereotypesSexual decisionMistreatmentLensRacismDecision makingFeministsAlliesVictimizationUnheardGirlsSeeing Skill: Heuristic Reasoning When Forecasting Outcomes in Sports
Weser VU, Schmidt, KM, Clore GL, Proffitt DR. Seeing Skill: Heuristic Reasoning When Forecasting Outcomes in Sports. Journal of Applied Measurement. 2022 Sep 23; 22(3):235–248.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2021
How Black Teen Girls Navigate Social Media to Form Romantic Relationships
Weser VU, Opara I, Sands BE, Fernandes CF, Hieftje KD. How Black Teen Girls Navigate Social Media to Form Romantic Relationships. Social Media + Society 2021, 7: 20563051211033823. PMID: 34858631, PMCID: PMC8634895, DOI: 10.1177/20563051211033823.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTeen girlsPolitical leaningsGirls' experiencesSocial mediaExperiences of racismFocus groupsCOVID-19 social distancingInductive thematic analysisCultural invalidationParticipants' practicesRomantic partnersThematic analysisTrue selfEthnic groupsMajor themesPhotos indexPartner selection processRomantic relationshipsSocial distancingBlack stereotypesExperienceSign of biasPotential romantic partnersRacismPractice
2020
A quasi-experimental test of a virtual reality game prototype for adolescent E-Cigarette prevention
Weser VU, Duncan LR, Pendergrass TM, Fernandes CS, Fiellin LE, Hieftje KD. A quasi-experimental test of a virtual reality game prototype for adolescent E-Cigarette prevention. Addictive Behaviors 2020, 112: 106639. PMID: 32920455, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106639.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSocial norm perceptionsGame prototypePerceptions of harmNorm perceptionsQuasi-experimental testPaired-samples t-testParticipants' enjoymentSocial normsPreliminary impactPerceptionEffect sizeE-cigarette preventionVirtual reality hardwarePost designAdolescentsSatisfactionVRDependent variableAttitudesHarm perceptionsE-cigarettesGameEnjoymentParticipantsGameplayInvite Only VR: A Vaping Prevention Game
Weser V, Hieftje K. Invite Only VR: A Vaping Prevention Game. 2020, 1-2. DOI: 10.1145/3388767.3407355.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2019
Choosing efficient actions: Deciding where to walk
Linkenauger SA, Weser V, Proffitt DR. Choosing efficient actions: Deciding where to walk. PLOS ONE 2019, 14: e0219729. PMID: 31557187, PMCID: PMC6762191, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219729.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTool Embodiment: The Tool’s Output Must Match the User’s Input
Weser V, Proffitt DR. Tool Embodiment: The Tool’s Output Must Match the User’s Input. Frontiers In Human Neuroscience 2019, 12: 537. PMID: 30687050, PMCID: PMC6336895, DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00537.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2017
Multisensory integration induces body ownership of a handtool, but not any handtool
Weser V, Finotti G, Costantini M, Proffitt DR. Multisensory integration induces body ownership of a handtool, but not any handtool. Consciousness And Cognition 2017, 56: 150-164. PMID: 28720401, DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2017.07.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRubber hand illusionTool embodimentSynchronous multisensory stimulationAction repertoiresTool useMultisensory integrationMotoric accountsMultisensory stimulationBody ownershipExperiment 1Hand illusionBody representationExperiment 2Bodily illusionsSkilled participantsPerceptual embodimentIllusionPresent experimentsFuture avenuesBodily boundariesEmbodimentMultisensory
2016
User sensitivity to speed- and height-mismatch in VR
Weser V, Hesch J, Lee J, Proffitt D. User sensitivity to speed- and height-mismatch in VR. 2016, 143-143. DOI: 10.1145/2931002.2947701.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHead-mounted displayVirtual sceneVR hardwareVirtual environmentVR experienceVirtual reality head-mounted displayVirtual reality hardwareReality head-mounted displayConsumer-grade productsExternal tracking devicesReal-world speedsHuman perceptual abilitiesTracking deviceSoftware solutionsSeamless solutionHigh-resolution displaysVR developersVirtual worldAverage userUser positionReal environmentVR environmentVirtual positionExternal trackingUsers