Publications

To request a copy of any publication, please email maespino@odu.edu

Peer-Reviewed Papers

• Espinosa, M., & Cox, C. R. (2026). Experiences of existential isolation and threat to social needs. The Journal of Social Psychology, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2026.2661018 

• Espinosa, M., & Cox, C. R. (2026). Existential isolation and incel traits: Implications for men's well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 256, 113723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2026.113723 

• Espinosa, M. & Cox, C. (2026). Feedback to video stimuli: A novel paradigm for manipulating existential isolation. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 122, 104837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2025.104837  

• Espinosa, M., Butler, S.A., Mengelkoch, S., Joigneau Prieto, L., Russell, E., Ramshaw, C., Rose-Reneau, Z., Remondino, M., Nahavandi, S., & Hill, S.E. (2024). The effectiveness of an online decision aid at reducing decisional conflict and increasing positivity toward contraceptive use: The results of an experimental clinical trial. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 58(7), 463–473. https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kaae024

• Mengelkoch, S., Espinosa, M., Butler, S.A., Joigneau Prieto, L., Russell, E., Ramshaw, C., Nahavandi, & Hill., S.E. (2023). Tuuned In: Use of an online decision aid increases women’s reproductive self-efficacy and knowledge: Results of an experimental clinical trial. BMC Digital Health, 1(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/s44247-023-00034-z

• Shanmugam, D., Espinosa, M., Gassen, J., van Lamsweerde, A., Pearson, J.T., Behar, E., & Hill, S.E. (2023). The relationship between photoperiod and ovulation rate: A multi-site study using NaturalCycles data. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 8379. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34940-z

• Bradshaw, H. K., Mengelkoch, S., Espinosa, M., Darrell, A., & Hill, S. E. (2021). You are what you (are willing to) eat: Willingness to try new foods impacts perceptions of sexual unrestrictedness and desirability. Personality and Individual Differences, 182, 111082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.111082

Papers Under Review / In Preparation (* indicated undergraduate co-author)

• Espinosa, M., Bui, T.B., Tran, B.L., & Cox, C. (under review). Existential isolation and dehumanizing self-perceptions. Personality and Individual Differences. (preprint) https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5406300

• *Wrucke, M., Espinosa, M., Bui, T.B., & Cox, C. (in prep) Perspective taking and empathy: Existential isolation as a barrier. Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX.

• Espinosa, M., *Shelashskyi, V., Bui, T.B., & Cox, C. (in prep) Existential isolation and political polarization in U.S. politics. Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX.

• Espinosa, M. & Cox, C. (in prep) Intergroup ostracism and prejudice prototypes: Observer evaluations of ostracized others. Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX.

• Espinosa, M., Brillhart, M., Chachkes, T., & Hill, S.E. (in prep) The use of oral contraceptives and women’s short-term mating strategies. Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX.