Director of the Institute for Research in the Social Sciences

About

  • Position

    • Director of the Institute for Research in the Social Sciences

  • Department

    • Institute for Research in the Social Sciences

  • Education

    • PhD, MPH, MSW

Biography

Abigail Rolbiecki, PhD, MSW, MPH, is an internationally recognized scholar in meaning-centered narrative interventions, palliative and supportive care, and community-engaged health research, and serves as the Director of the Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRISS) at Colorado State University and a Dr. Rolbiecki is a trained as a clinical social worker and public health researcher, her work focuses on improving the lives of individuals facing serious illness and supporting the family members who care for them. She is widely known for developing innovative psychosocial, bio‑behavioral, and digital storytelling interventions that reduce suffering, enhance well‑being, and promote meaning‑making during illness, caregiving, and bereavement.

Before joining Colorado State University, Dr. Rolbiecki spent nearly 15 years at the University of Missouri—earning both her undergrad and graduate degrees, and building a substantial research career within its land‑grant system. This long history with land‑grant institutions deeply shapes her mission, vision, and values. She is committed to community partnership, equity, accessibility, and impact‑driven research that serves diverse populations across urban and rural settings. She also spent 2.5 years at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, where she continued advancing interdisciplinary research in palliative care, caregiving, and supportive care innovation while strengthening collaborations across clinical, research, and community partners. This experience further broadened her perspective on how meaningful, patient‑ and caregiver‑centered research can drive systems‑level improvements in health and well‑being.

Dr. Rolbiecki’s scholarship spans psychosocial oncology, dementia caregiving, chronic pain, bereavement, virtual reality and neurofeedback interventions, and community‑based participatory research. Her work has been supported by the National Institutes on Aging (NIA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the National Institute for Nursing Research (NINR), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and other national foundations, and she has collaborated across multidisciplinary teams to build person‑centered approaches to care. Across her career, she has remained committed to mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and generating research that translates into meaningful improvements in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

Publications

  1. Rolbiecki, A. J., Pitzer, K., Benson, J. J., Washington, K., Teti, M., Kruse, R., Mehr, D. R., Smith, J., Oliver, D. (Under Review). Caregiver Speaks: A randomized-controlled trial of a storytelling intervention for hospice family caregivers of persons with dementia. The Gerontologist. Submitted December 9, 2025.
  2. Washington, K. T., Rolbiecki, A. J., Becker, T. D., White Makinde, K., Benson, J. J., Knight, A., Vanderlan, J., Demiris, G., & Oliver, D. P. (2025). Defining family-centered cancer care: A group concept mapping study. Psycho-Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70235
  3. Canfield, S.M., Rolbiecki, A.J., Ghosh, P., Martinez, W., Shaffer, V., Montgomery, E.*, Dorr, D., & Koopman, R. (2025). ‘Everyone Has a Role in This’: Evaluating Organizational Readiness for a Digital Solution to Support Hypertension Care Teams and Patients. Applied Clinical Informatics.
  4. Bobo, M., Canfield, S.M., Shaffer, V., Storer, M., Michaels, L., Yates, A., Rolbiecki, A.J., Koopman, R., & Door, D. (2025). Development of a patient-facing clinical decision support application for hypertension. Applied Clinical Informatics.
  5. Rolbiecki, A.J., Washinton, K., Benson, J.J., Lombardo, C.*, Bosworth, T.*, Haber, A.* (under review). “It just felt like something I was supposed to do”: Memories as Meanings of Loss for Dementia Caregivers. Death Studies. Submitted Sep. 2024.
  6. Yang, A.*, Washington, K., Benson, J., Bogdewiecz, T., Rolbiecki A.J. (2025). Meaning Making During Bereavement as Part of Caregiver Speaks, A Narrative Photo-elicitation Intervention for Caregivers of Persons Living with Dementia. Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice. Submitted Sep. 2024.
  7. Parker Oliver, D, Ersek, M, White, P, Jorgensen, L, Pitzer, K, Rolbiecki, A.J., Mayahara, M, Washington, K, Demiris, G., (2024). EMR Research in Hospice. JPSM PMCID: PMC In Process
  8. Brungardt, A., Wibben, A., Shanbhag, P., Boeldt, D., Youngwerth, J., Tompkins, A., Rolbiecki, A.J., Coats, H., LaGasse A.B., Kutner, J.S., Lum, H.D., (2024). Patient Outcomes of a Virtual Reality-based Music Therapy Pilot in Palliative Care. Palliative Medicine Reports. doi.org/10.1089/pmr.2024.0022
  9. Dorr, D.A., Montgomery, E., Ghumman, A., Michaels, L., Rolbiecki, A.J., Canfield, S., Shaffer, V.A., Johnson, B., Lockwood, M., Ghosh, P., Martinez, W., COACH Consortium, Koopman, R.J. (2024). Study Protocol: Collaboration Oriented Approach to Controlling High Blood Pressure (COACH) in adults – A Randomized Controlled Trial. BMJ, Accepted March 2024.
  10. Rolbiecki, A.J., Froeliger, B., Smith, J., Ying, J., Canfield, S., Posley, K.*, Polniak, M.*, & Dotson, D.* (2024). Virtual Reality and Neurofeedback as a supportive approach to managing cancer symptoms for patients receiving treatment: A brief report of a feasibility trial. Palliative and Supportive Care. doi: 10.1017/S1478951524000385
  11. Rolbiecki, A.J., Washington, K., Bitsicas, K., Lero, C., Spinner, E., Foster Akard, T. (2024). Digital Storytelling for Bereaved Individuals in a Virtual Setting. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying. doi: 10.1177/0030222821105124
  12. Canfield, S.M., Canada, K.E., Rolbiecki, A.J., Petroski, G. (2023). Feasibility and Acceptability of an Online Mental Health Intervention for Pregnant Women and Their Partners: A Mixed Method Study with a Pilot Randomized Control Trial. BMC Pregnancy and doi: 10.1186/s12884-023-06031-4
  13. Rolbiecki, A.J., Washington, K.T., Holman, J., Lee, J. (2023). Sense Making in the Wake of Familial Death: “I Continue to Work through Those Feelings.” Death Studies. doi: 1080/07481187.2023.2258509
  14. Rolbiecki, A.J., Govindarajan, A., & Froeliger, B. (2023). Immersive Virtual Reality and Neurofeedback for the Management of Cancer Symptoms during Treatment. Supportive Care in Cancer. doi: 1007/s00520-023-07957-3
  15. Rolbiecki, A.J., Washington, K. & Posley, K.* (2023). “Everybody Needs to Talk about Their Child”: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study of Bereaved Parents’ Experiences in Digital Storytelling. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying. doi: 10.1177/0030228231169150
  16. Teti, M., Washington, K., Benson, J., & Rolbiecki, A.J. (2023). “Each Day We Lose a Little More”: Visual Depictions of Family Caregiving for Persons with Dementia. Journal of Applied Gerontology. doi: 10.1177/07334648231159090
  17. Rolbiecki, A.J., Craig, K., Polniak, M.*, Smith, J., Ghosh, P., Mehr, D. (2023). Virtual Reality and Neurofeedback for Management of Cancer Symptoms: A Feasibility Pilot. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. doi:10.1177/10499091221109900
  18. Rolbiecki, A.J., Teti, M., Lero, C., Benson, J., Washington, K. (2022). Opportunities and Challenges for Visual Qualitative Intervention Research on Facebook. International Journal of Qualitative Methods. doi: 10.1177/16094069221074445
  19. Parker-Oliver, D., Rolbiecki, A.J., Washington, K., Kruse, R.L., Popejoy, L., Smith, J., Demiris, G. (2021). A pilot study of an intervention to increase family member involvement in nursing home care plan meetings. Journal of Applied Gerontology. doi: 10.1177/0733464820946927
  20. Rolbiecki, A.J. & LeMaster, J. (2021). Photovoice in Primary Care Settings: A Flexible Tool for Fostering Patient-centered Care and Social Action. Family Practice. doi: 1093/fampra/cmab061
  21. Benson, J.J., Washington, K., Kruse, R., Parker Oliver, D., Rolbiecki, A.J., & Demiris, G. (2021). Family caregiver problems in outpatient palliative oncology. Journal of Palliative Medicine. Doi: 10.1089/jpm.2021.0010
  22. Rolbiecki, A.J., Washington, K., Bitsicas, K., Teti, M., Temple, D.*, & Lero, C. (2021). Digital Storytelling: Narrating Meaning in Bereavement. Death Studies. doi: 10.1080/07481187.2021.1900452
  23. Washington, K. T., Benson, J. J., Chakurian, D. E., Popejoy, L. L., Demiris, G., Rolbiecki, A. J., & Parker Oliver, D. (2021). Comfort needs of cancer family caregivers in outpatient palliative care. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing. doi: 10.1097/NJH.0000000000000744
  24. Rolbiecki, A.J., Parker Oliver, D., Teti, M., Washington, K.T., Benson, J.J., Kruse, R.L., Smith, J., Demiris, G., Ersek, M., Mehr, D.R. (2020). Caregiver Speaks Study Protocol: A Technologically Mediated Storytelling Intervention for Hospice Family Caregivers of Persons Living With Dementia. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care. doi: 10.1177/1049909120960449
  25. Parker Oliver, D., Benson, J., Ulrich, C., Washington, K.T., Rolbiecki, A. J., White, P., Smith, J., Lero, C., Landon, O., Demiris, G. (2020). Perceived Benefits and Burdens of Participation for Caregivers of Cancer Patients in Hospice Clinical Trials: A Pilot Study. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.10.024
  26. Teti, M., Bauerband, L., Rolbiecki, A.J., Young. C.* (2020). Physical activity and body image: Intertwined health priorities identified by transmasculine young people in a non-metropolitan area. International Journal of Transgenderism. doi: 10.1080/26895269.2020.1719950
  27. Rolbiecki, A. J., Parker Oliver, D., Washington, K., Benson, J., Jorgensen, L.* (2020). Preliminary Results of Caregiver Speaks: A Storytelling Intervention for Bereaved Family Caregivers. Journal of Loss and Trauma. doi:10.1080/15325024.2019.1707985
  28. Benson, J., Parker Oliver, D., Washington, K., Rolbiecki, A. J., Lombardo, C.,* Garza, J., Demiris, G. (2020). Online Social Support Groups for Informal Caregivers of Hospice Patients with Cancer. European Journal of Oncology Nursing. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2019.101698
  29. Washington, K. T., Parker Oliver, D., Benson, J. J., Rolbiecki, A. J., Jorgensen, L. A., Cruz-Oliver, D., & Demiris, G. (2019). Factors influencing engagement in an online support group for family caregivers of individuals with advanced cancer. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology. doi:10.1080/07347332.2019.1680592
  30. Teti, M., Morris, K., Bauerband, L., Rolbiecki, A.J., Young, C. (2019). An exploration of apparel and well-being among transmasculine young adults. Journal of LGBT Youth. doi:10.1080/19361653.2019.1611519
  31. Rolbiecki, A.J., Washington, K., Bitsicas, K. (2019). Digital Storytelling as an Intervention for Bereaved Family Members. Omega – Journal of Death and Dying. doi: 10.1177/0030222819825513
  32. Parker-Oliver, D., Tappana, J., Washington, K., Rolbiecki, A.J…Ellington, L. (2019). Behind the Doors of Home Hospice Patients: A Secondary Qualitative Analysis of Hospice Nurse Communication with Patients and Families. Palliative and Supportive Care. doi:10.1017/S1478951518001098
  33. Rolbiecki, A. J., Teti, M., Crenshaw, B., LeMaster, J., Ordway, J., & Mehr, D. (2018). Exploring the Lived Experience of Chronic Pain through Photo-elicitation and Online Social Networks. Pain Medicine.
  34. Rolbiecki, A. J., Washington, K., Bitsicas, K. (2017). Digital Storytelling: Families’ Search for Meaning after Child Death. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care. doi:10.1080/15524256.2017.1387216
  35. Rolbiecki, A. J., Subramanian, R., Crenshaw, B., Albright D. L., & Perreault, M. (2016). A qualitative exploration of resilience among patients living with chronic pain. Traumatology, Special Issue on Resilience. doi:1037/trm0000095.
  36. Rolbiecki, A. J., Anderson K., Teti, M., & Albright, D. L. (2016). ‘Waiting for the cold to end’: Using Photovoice as a narrative intervention for survivors of sexual assault. Traumatology. doi:1037/trm0000087.
  37. Pelts, M.D., Rolbiecki, A.J., & Albright, D.L. (2015). Wounded bonds: A review of the social work literature on gay, lesbian, and bisexual military service members and veterans. Journal of Social Work, 15(2): 207-220. doi:10.1177/1468017314548120.
  38. Pelts, M.D., Rolbiecki, A.J., & Albright, D.L. (2014). Implications for services with gay men and lesbians who have served. Social Work in Mental Health, 12(5-6): 429-442. doi:10.1080/15332985.2013.854286.
  39. Pelts, M.D., Rolbiecki, A.J., & Albright, D.L. (2014). An update to “Among the Missing: Lesbian and Gay Content in Social Work Journals”. Social Work, 59(2), 121-138.
  40. Teti, M., Rolbiecki, A., Zhang, N., Hampton, D., & Binson, D. (2014). Photo-stories of stigma among gay-identified men with HIV in small-town America: A qualitative exploration of voice and visual accounts and intervention implications. Arts and Health: An International Journal for Research, Policy and Practice. doi:10.1080/17533015.2014.971830.
  41. Osborne, V.A., Gage, L.A., & Rolbiecki, A.J. (2012). Psychosocial effects of trauma on military women serving in the National Guard and Reserves. Advances in Social Work, 13(1), 166-184.

*Denotes manuscripts published with student scholars.

 

Book Reviews:

  1. Rolbiecki, A.J. (2021). Review of the book Palliative Care: A Guide for Health Social Workers. Sumser, Leimena, & Altilio, New York, NY. Oxford University Press, 2019.
  2. Rolbiecki, A.J. (2013). Review of the book Up Against a Wall: Rape Reform and the Failure of Success. (Publication in the November issue of Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work).

Peer Reviewed Book Chapters:

  1. Benson, J., Rolbiecki, A.J., Bordere, T.C., Hall, C.A., Abraham, A., DiNardo, D., Celano, M., & Ungureanu, I. (2022). Loss and bereavement: A focus on cancer and families, death of a parent, death of a young child, and sudden or violent death in families. In S. Browning & B. van Eeden-Moorefield (Eds.), Treating contemporary families: Toward a more inclusive clinical practice (pp. 219–252). American Psychological Association.
  2. Rolbiecki, A. J., Pelts, M. D., & Albright, D. L. (2015). Military sexual trauma and the university community. In J. E. Coll & E. L. Weiss (Eds.), Student veterans in human service programs: A primer for administrators, faculty and academic advisers.
  3. Pelts, M. D., Rolbiecki, A.J., & Albright, D. L. (2015). LGBTQ and student veterans. In J. E. Coll & E. L. Weiss (Eds.), Student veterans in human service programs: A primer for administrators, faculty and academic advisers.