Nikhil Tomar, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy

Nikhil Tomar

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Phone: (603) 862-3221
Office: Occupational Therapy, Hewitt Hall, Durham, NH 03824

My research interests and work focus on better understanding the theory of stigma and examining its influence on individual- and system-level outcomes for individuals from historically marginalized communities, such as individuals with mental health concerns who also belong to racial/ethnic and/or sexual/gender minority communities. I employ the unit of occupation to better understand how stigma functions and how occupational science/therapy can help to improve outcomes for individuals with mental health concerns.

Courses Taught

  • OT 610: Occupatn, Identity, Disability
  • OT 781: Research Methods I
  • OT 782: Research Methods II
  • OT 785: Research Methods
  • OT 841: Human Occupation
  • OT 886: Engagement in Research

Education

  • Ph.D., Occupational Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • M.S., Occupational Therapy, University of Wisconsin
  • B.S., Occupational Therapy, Chaudhary Charan Singh University

Research Interests

  • Emotional/Mental Health--Minorities
  • Mental Health Services

Selected Publications

  • 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., 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., & 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., & 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., 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

  • Cuddeback, G. S., Wilson, A. B., Despard, M. R., Tomar, N., & Chowa, G. (2017). Financial insecurity and risk experiences of justice involved persons with severe mental illness. SOCIAL WORK IN MENTAL HEALTH, 15(6), 615-631. doi:10.1080/15332985.2016.1267069

  • 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

  • Most Cited Publications