Susan L Dunn, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Professor Emerita
Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science
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About
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Hopelessness has been identified in 27-52% of patients with ischemic heart disease and is predictive of death and adverse events. Studies with healthy individuals have demonstrated that increased physical activity leads to decreased hopelessness. Yet, most individuals with heart disease do not meet current American Heart Association exercise recommendations in either hospital-based or home settings. Hopeless individuals, in particular, feel incapable of helping themselves in making needed lifestyle changes.
I have conducted research focused on hopelessness in patients with heart disease for over 20 years. Findings from my NINR-funded dissertation research demonstrated that hopelessness is prevalent in patients with ischemic heart disease. Based on these findings, I led several studies that resulted in the development and testing of the State-Trait Hopelessness Scale. I additionally discovered an association between decreased home-based exercise and increased state hopelessness in patients with ischemic heart disease. My recently completedNIH/NINR-funded (R01) study examined the effectiveness of a novel motivational intervention called Heart Up!, aimed to decrease state hopelessness through increased physical activity in patients with ischemic heart disease.
Throughout my research career, I have worked closely with a multidisciplinary team of researchers from the fields of psychology, kinesiology, communications, and statistics. I have a long-standing record of including undergraduate and graduate students in my research, publications, and conference presentations. Other topics that I am interested in include motivation for exercise and social support in cardiac patients.
Selected Grants
NIH/NINR 1R01NR017649-01, 2018-2024, A Randomized Controlled Trial to Reduce Hopelessness through Enhanced Physical Activity in Adults with Ischemic Heart Disease, PI
NIH/NINR, NR017649-04S1, 2020-2022, COVID-19 Administrative Supplement, PI
Selected Publications
Levine, G. N., Carney, R. M., Cohen, B. E., Dunn, S. L., Gaffey, A. E., Kronish, I. M., Olsson, E. M. G., & Huffman, J. C. (2025). Post-myocardial infarction psychological distress: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001381
Dunn, S. L., DeVon, H. A., Collins, E. G., Luong, A., Hrynyk, H., Cajita, M., & Tintle, N. (2025). Adverse impact of COVID-19 on hopelessness levels in patients with ischemic heart disease. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention ():10.1097/HCR.0000000000000960, August 05, 2025. doi: 10.1097/HCR.0000000000000960
Goodyke, M. P., Tintle, N. L., Collins, E. G., DeVon, H. A., Bronas, U. G., Baynard, T., Dunn, S. L. (2024). Lower perceived social support associated with greater hopelessness in patients after an acute ischemic heart disease event. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. 10-1097.
doi: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000001163
Goodyke, M. P., Bronas, U. G., Baynard, T., Tintle, N., DeVon, H. A., Collins, E., Dunn, S. L. (2024). The relationships among heart rate variability, perceived social support, and hopelessness in adults with ischemic heart disease. Journal of the American Heart Association. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.123.032759;13:e032759
Devon, H. A., Tintle, N., Bronas, U. G., Mirzaei, S., Rivera, E., Gutierrez-Kapheim, M., Alonso, W., Keteyian, S. J., Goodyke, M., & Dunn, S. L. (2023). Comorbidities are associated with state hopelessness in adults with ischemic heart disease. Heart & Lung, 60, 28-34. doi: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2023.02.025
Bomgaars, D., Van De Griend, K. M., Jensen, G. A., White, L. L., Goodyke, M.
P., Luong, A., Tintle, N. L. & Dunn, S. L. (2021). Investigating rurality as a risk factor for state and trait hopelessness in hospitalized patients with ischemic heart disease. Journal of the American Heart Association, 10(17).
doi: 10.1161/JAHA.121.020768
Dunn, S. L., DeVon, H. A., Collins, E. G., Luong, A. T., Buursma, M., Gutierrez-Kapheim, M., & Bronas, U. B. (2021). Suicide risk management protocol for a randomized controlled trial of cardiac patients reporting hopelessness. Nursing Research, 70(1), 72-79. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000474. PMID: 32956255
Dunn, S. L., Dunn, L. M., Rieth, N. P, Olamijulo, G. B., Swieringa, L. L., Holden, T. P., Clark, J. A., DeVon, H. A., & Tintle, N. L. (2017). Impact of home- and hospital-based exercise in cardiac rehabilitation on hopelessness in patients with coronary heart disease. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 37(1), 39-48. doi:10.1097/HCR.0000000000000205
Dunn, S. L., Olamijulo, G. B., Fuglseth, H. L., Holden, T. P., Swieringa, L. L., Sit, M. J., Rieth, N. P., & Tintle, N. L. (2014). The State-Trait Hopelessness Scale: Development and testing. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 36(4), 552-570. doi:10.1177/0193945913507634
Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Nursing Science
Michigan State University
Dissertation: Hopelessness and Depression in Myocardial Infarction
Master of Science, Nursing Science
Grand Valley State University
Thesis: Role Clarification and the Myocardial Infarction Patient’s Primary Support Person
Bachelor of Science, Nursing
University of Michigan