Nikhil Tomar, PhD, OTR/L, is an Assistant Professor at the University of New Hampshire’s Department of Occupational Therapy. Dr. Tomar’s research focuses on better understanding and examining stigma related to mental health concerns and its effects on a variety of outcomes, such as mental healthcare utilization, among various populations, such as those involved with the criminal justice system. His work has been published in top occupational therapy journals, including the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, and interdisciplinary journals, such as Social Science and Medicine. He is actively engaged in interdisciplinary research work and community-based projects exploring the role of OT in community mental healthcare.
Courses Taught
- OT 610: Occupatn, Identity, Disability
- OT 760: Psychosocial Eval & Interventn
- OT 781: Research Methods I
- OT 781/881: Research Methods I
- OT 782: Research Methods II
- OT 785: Research Methods
- OT 841: Human Occupation
- OT 860: Psychosocial Eval & Interventn
- OT 882: Research Methods II
- OT 886: Engagement in Research
Research Interests
- Emotional/Mental Health--Minorities
- Mental Health Services
Selected Publications
Tomar, N., Gibson, R., Brewer, K., & Mian, N. (2025). Intersectional Stigma and Occupational Engagement Among Racialized Higher Education Students: A Qualitative Study.. Am J Occup Ther, 79(2). doi:10.5014/ajot.2025.050984
Brewer, K. B., Gibson, R., Tomar, N., Washburn, M., Giraldo-Santiago, N., Hostos-Torres, L. R., & Gearing, R. E. (2024). Why Culture and Context Matters: Examining Differences in Mental Health Stigma and Social Distance Between Latino Individuals in the United States and Mexico.. J Immigr Minor Health, 26(2), 278-286. doi:10.1007/s10903-023-01550-w
Tomar, N., Jensen, T. M., & Pace, N. (2022). Differences in internalized stigma of mental illness among college students based on demographic characteristics. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH. doi:10.1080/07448481.2022.2126944
Tomar, N., Jensen, T. M., & Pace, N. (2022). An Intervention Framework for Addressing Stigma on College Campuses Findings From a 3-Year-Long Intervention Program. JOURNAL OF NERVOUS AND MENTAL DISEASE, 210(9), 708-715. doi:10.1097/NMD.0000000000001527
Tomar, N., Brinkley-Rubinstein, L., Ghezzi, M. A., Van Deinse, T. B., Burgin, S., & Cuddeback, G. S. (2020). Internalized stigma and its correlates among justice-involved individuals with mental illness. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH, 49(2), 201-211. doi:10.1080/00207411.2019.1703358
Tomar, N., & Thornicroft, G. (2020). Principle of gradient rationality: Revisiting stigma and conceptualizing its guiding mechanism. SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE, 245. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112716
Tomar, N., & Bailliard, A. L. (2020). Understanding the moral economics of occupational engagement. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL SCIENCE, 27(1), 82-94. doi:10.1080/14427591.2019.1591297
Tomar, N., Ghezzi, M. A., Wilson, A. B., Van Deinse, T. B., Burgin, S., & Cuddeback, G. S. (2020). Demographic and clinical characteristics of consumers who transition from assertive community treatment to less intensive services. SOCIAL WORK IN MENTAL HEALTH, 18(4), 398-409. doi:10.1080/15332985.2020.1769002
Tomar, N., Ghezzi, M. A., Brinkley-Rubinstein, L., Wilson, A. B., Van Deinse, T. B., Burgin, S., & Cuddeback, G. S. (2017). Statewide mental health training for probation officers: improving knowledge and decreasing stigma.. Health Justice, 5(1), 11. doi:10.1186/s40352-017-0057-y
Tomar, N., & Stoffel, V. (2014). Examining the Lived Experience and Factors Influencing Education of Two Student Veterans Using Photovoice Methodology. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, 68(4), 430-438. doi:10.5014/ajot.2014.011163
