Cara Tomaso, PhD
she/her/hers
Pediatric Orthopedics, Psychology
Titles
- Assistant Professor
Education & Training
- FellowshipYale Child Study Center (2024)
- Predoctoral InternshipYale Child Study Center (2023)
- PhDUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln (2023)
- MAUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln (2018)
- BASmith College (2016)
Additional Information
Publications
- Psychological Impact of External Fixator Devices on Patients with Traumatic Injury: A Scoping ReviewNair M, Ayhan E, Zazulak B, Tomaso C, Medvecky M. Psychological Impact of External Fixator Devices on Patients with Traumatic Injury: A Scoping Review. Trauma Care 2025, 5: 28. DOI: 10.3390/traumacare5040028.
- Iobst C, Flanagan J, Schoffner K, Tomaso C, Frumberg D, Hoehn J. Commentary on JPOSNA® Quality Improvement Case Series: Pediatric Limb Reconstruction Gone Wrong: Risks of Pursuing Treatment Without Thorough Psychological Evaluation. Journal Of The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society Of North America 2025, 11: 100192. PMID: 40432847, PMCID: PMC12088338, DOI: 10.1016/j.jposna.2025.100192.
- Kidwell K, Brock R, Tomaso C, Phillips E, James T, Yaroch A, Hill J, Nelson J, Huang T, Mason W, Espy K, Nelson T. Adolescent health behavior profiles and associations with mental health in a longitudinal study. Journal Of Health Psychology 2025, 30: 2232-2249. PMID: 39887976, DOI: 10.1177/13591053251314328.
- Tomaso C, James T, Brock R, Yaroch A, Hill J, Huang T, Nelson J, Mason W, Espy K, Nelson T. Early childhood executive control modulates negative affectivity's role in increasing adolescent body mass index trajectories. Pediatric Obesity 2024, 19: e13144. PMID: 38926799, DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.13144.
- Laifer L, Brock R, Tomaso C, James T, Yaroch A, Hill J, Huang T, Nelson J, Mason W, Espy K, Nelson T. Exploring the Interaction Between Preschool Executive Control and Caregiver Emotion Socialization in Predicting Adolescent Weight Trajectories. Journal Of Youth And Adolescence 2023, 53: 656-668. PMID: 38117361, PMCID: PMC10872396, DOI: 10.1007/s10964-023-01928-x.
- Laifer L, Tomaso C, Chang O, Phillips E, James T, Nelson J, Espy K, Mason W, Nelson T. Early executive control buffers risk for adolescent psychopathology during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Journal Of Adolescence 2023, 95: 1205-1219. PMID: 37211897, PMCID: PMC10526894, DOI: 10.1002/jad.12195.
- Tomaso C, Yaroch A, Hill J, Jackson T, Nelson J, James T, Mason W, Espy K, Nelson T. The roles of sleep and executive function in adolescent nighttime eating. Eating Behaviors 2022, 46: 101657. PMID: 36029566, PMCID: PMC11260188, DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2022.101657.
- Nelson T, James T, Nelson J, Tomaso C, Espy K. Executive Control Throughout Elementary School: Factor Structure and Associations With Early Childhood Executive Control. Developmental Psychology 2022, 58: 730-750. PMID: 35343719, PMCID: PMC9583682, DOI: 10.1037/dev0001314.
- Tomaso C, James T, Nelson J, Espy K, Nelson T. Longitudinal associations between executive control and body mass index across childhood. Pediatric Obesity 2021, 17: e12866. PMID: 34725959, PMCID: PMC8923908, DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12866.
- Nelson T, Brock R, Yokum S, Tomaso C, Savage C, Stice E. Much Ado About Missingness: A Demonstration of Full Information Maximum Likelihood Estimation to Address Missingness in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data. Frontiers In Neuroscience 2021, 15: 746424. PMID: 34658780, PMCID: PMC8514662, DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.746424.
- Tomaso C, James T, Nelson J, Espy K, Nelson T. Associations between preschool sleep problems and observed dimensions of elementary classroom engagement. Early Childhood Research Quarterly 2021, 57: 251-259. PMID: 34483473, PMCID: PMC8415494, DOI: 10.1016/j.ecresq.2021.06.009.
- Tomaso C, Johnson A, Nelson T. The effect of sleep deprivation and restriction on mood, emotion, and emotion regulation: three meta-analyses in one. Sleep 2020, 44: zsaa289. PMID: 33367799, PMCID: PMC8193556, DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa289.
- Cheadle J, Goosby B, Jochman J, Tomaso C, Yancey C, Nelson T. Race and ethnic variation in college students’ allostatic regulation of racism-related stress. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2020, 117: 31053-31062. PMID: 33229568, PMCID: PMC7733862, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1922025117.
- Johnson A, Nelson J, Tomaso C, James T, Espy K, Nelson T. Preschool executive control predicts social information processing in early elementary school. Journal Of Applied Developmental Psychology 2020, 71: 101195. DOI: 10.1016/j.appdev.2020.101195.
- Tomaso C, Johnson A, James T, Nelson J, Mason W, Espy K, Nelson T. Emotion Regulation Strategies as Mediators of the Relationship Between Internalizing Psychopathology and Sleep-Wake Problems During the Transition to Early Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study. The Journal Of Early Adolescence 2020, 41: 657-682. DOI: 10.1177/0272431620939184.
- Mason W, Fleming C, Tomaso C, James T, Nelson J, Espy K, Nelson T. Associations of Early Socio-familial Stress with Maladaptive and Adaptive Functioning in Middle Childhood: Roles of Executive Control and Foundational Cognitive Abilities. Prevention Science 2020, 21: 681-690. PMID: 32372380, PMCID: PMC7306445, DOI: 10.1007/s11121-020-01119-1.
- Brockdorf A, Tomaso C, Keel P. Sensitivity to punishment and eating pathology among undergraduate women: The mediating role of shame. Eating Behaviors 2020, 36: 101362. PMID: 31926462, DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2019.101362.
- Jochman J, Cheadle J, Goosby B, Tomaso C, Kozikowski C, Nelson T. Mental Health Outcomes of Discrimination among College Students on a Predominately White Campus: A Prospective Study. Socius Sociological Research For A Dynamic World 2019, 5: 2378023119842728. PMID: 31819906, PMCID: PMC6900932, DOI: 10.1177/2378023119842728.
- Kidwell K, Tomaso C, Lundahl A, Nelson T. Confirmatory factor analysis of the parental feeding style questionnaire with a preschool sample. Eating And Weight Disorders - Studies On Anorexia, Bulimia And Obesity 2018, 25: 407-414. PMID: 30426448, DOI: 10.1007/s40519-018-0613-z.
- Tomaso C, Nelson J, Espy K, Nelson T. Associations between different components of executive control in childhood and sleep problems in early adolescence: A longitudinal study. Journal Of Health Psychology 2018, 25: 2440-2452. PMID: 30253672, DOI: 10.1177/1359105318801065.
- Nelson T, Nelson J, Mason W, Tomaso C, Kozikowski C, Espy K. Executive Control and Adolescent Health: Toward A Conceptual Framework. Adolescent Research Review 2018, 4: 31-43. PMID: 30886888, PMCID: PMC6419957, DOI: 10.1007/s40894-018-0094-3.
- Nelson T, Kidwell K, Nelson J, Tomaso C, Hankey M, Espy K. Preschool Executive Control and Internalizing Symptoms in Elementary School. Research On Child And Adolescent Psychopathology 2018, 46: 1509-1520. PMID: 29313184, PMCID: PMC6035890, DOI: 10.1007/s10802-017-0395-1.
- Zamboanga B, Audley S, Iwamoto D, Martin J, Tomaso C. The Risks of Being “Manly”: Masculine Norms and Drinking Game Motives, Behaviors, and Related Consequences Among Men. Psychology Of Men & Masculinity 2017, 18: 280-292. DOI: 10.1037/men0000064.
- Zamboanga B, Audley S, Olthuis J, Blumenthal H, Tomaso C, Bui N, Borsari B. Validation of a Seven-Factor Structure for the Motives for Playing Drinking Games Measure. Assessment 2017, 26: 582-603. PMID: 28412835, PMCID: PMC5623648, DOI: 10.1177/1073191117701191.
- Zamboanga B, Audley S, Iwamoto D, Tomaso C, Ramos G, Schwartz S. “What’s in a Game?” Acculturation and Drinking Game Behaviors Among Asian American Young Adults. Asian American Journal Of Psychology 2016, 7: 195-204. DOI: 10.1037/aap0000048.
- Zamboanga B, Ham L, Tomaso C, Audley S, Pole N. “Try Walking in Our Shoes”. Teaching Of Psychology 2016, 43: 243-249. DOI: 10.1177/0098628316649484.
- Tomaso C, Zamboanga B, Haas A, Kenney S, Ham L, Borsari B. Extreme Consumption Drinking Gaming and Prepartying Among High School Students. Journal Of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse 2016, 25: 206-211. PMID: 27346931, PMCID: PMC4916969, DOI: 10.1080/1067828x.2014.898168.
- Zamboanga B, Tomaso C, Cloutier R, Blumenthal H, Kenney S, Borsari B. Drinking Game Participation Among High School and Incoming College Students. Journal Of Addictions Nursing 2016, 27: 24-31. PMID: 26950839, PMCID: PMC4784108, DOI: 10.1097/jan.0000000000000108.
- Zamboanga B, Iwamoto D, Pesigan I, Tomaso C. A “Player’s” Game? Masculinity and Drinking Games Participation Among White and Asian American Male College Freshmen. Psychology Of Men & Masculinity 2015, 16: 468-473. DOI: 10.1037/a0039101.
- Zamboanga B, Pesigan I, Tomaso C, Schwartz S, Ham L, Bersamin M, Kim S, Cano M, Castillo L, Forthun L, Whitbourne S, Hurley E. Frequency of drinking games participation and alcohol-related problems in a multiethnic sample of college students: Do gender and ethnicity matter? Addictive Behaviors 2014, 41: 112-116. PMID: 25452053, PMCID: PMC7884055, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2014.10.002.
- Schwartz S, Zamboanga B, Tomaso C, Kondo K, Unger J, Weisskirch R, Ham L, Meca A, Cano M, Whitbourne S, Brittian A, Rosiers S, Hurley E, Vazsonyi A, Ravert R. Association of acculturation with drinking games among Hispanic college students. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2014, 40: 359-366. PMID: 25192203, DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2014.910521.
- Zamboanga B, Tomaso C. Introduction to the Special Issue on College Drinking Games. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2014, 40: 349-352. PMID: 25192201, DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2014.949728.
- Zamboanga B, Tomaso C, Kondo K, Schwartz S. Surveying the Literature on Acculturation and Alcohol Use among Hispanic College Students: We're Not All on the Same Page. Substance Use & Misuse 2014, 49: 1074-1078. PMID: 24779508, DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2014.887731.
- Tomaso C, Zamboanga B, Haas A, Olthuis J, Kenney S, Ham L. All it takes is one: drinking games, prepartying, and negative drinking consequences among high school students. Journal Of Substance Use 2013, 20: 77-84. DOI: 10.3109/14659891.2013.856478.
- Zamboanga B, Tomaso C, Haas A, Olthuis J, Borish S, Borsari B. Trouble brewing: pregaming among high school and incoming college students. Journal Of Psychosocial Nursing And Mental Health Services 2013, 51: 14-7. PMID: 24016135, PMCID: PMC3936534, DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20130828-01.
Departments and Programs
Titles
- Assistant Professor
Education & Training
- FellowshipYale Child Study Center (2024)
- Predoctoral InternshipYale Child Study Center (2023)
- PhDUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln (2023)
- MAUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln (2018)
- BASmith College (2016)
Additional Information
Publications
- Psychological Impact of External Fixator Devices on Patients with Traumatic Injury: A Scoping ReviewNair M, Ayhan E, Zazulak B, Tomaso C, Medvecky M. Psychological Impact of External Fixator Devices on Patients with Traumatic Injury: A Scoping Review. Trauma Care 2025, 5: 28. DOI: 10.3390/traumacare5040028.
- Iobst C, Flanagan J, Schoffner K, Tomaso C, Frumberg D, Hoehn J. Commentary on JPOSNA® Quality Improvement Case Series: Pediatric Limb Reconstruction Gone Wrong: Risks of Pursuing Treatment Without Thorough Psychological Evaluation. Journal Of The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society Of North America 2025, 11: 100192. PMID: 40432847, PMCID: PMC12088338, DOI: 10.1016/j.jposna.2025.100192.
- Kidwell K, Brock R, Tomaso C, Phillips E, James T, Yaroch A, Hill J, Nelson J, Huang T, Mason W, Espy K, Nelson T. Adolescent health behavior profiles and associations with mental health in a longitudinal study. Journal Of Health Psychology 2025, 30: 2232-2249. PMID: 39887976, DOI: 10.1177/13591053251314328.
- Tomaso C, James T, Brock R, Yaroch A, Hill J, Huang T, Nelson J, Mason W, Espy K, Nelson T. Early childhood executive control modulates negative affectivity's role in increasing adolescent body mass index trajectories. Pediatric Obesity 2024, 19: e13144. PMID: 38926799, DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.13144.
- Laifer L, Brock R, Tomaso C, James T, Yaroch A, Hill J, Huang T, Nelson J, Mason W, Espy K, Nelson T. Exploring the Interaction Between Preschool Executive Control and Caregiver Emotion Socialization in Predicting Adolescent Weight Trajectories. Journal Of Youth And Adolescence 2023, 53: 656-668. PMID: 38117361, PMCID: PMC10872396, DOI: 10.1007/s10964-023-01928-x.
- Laifer L, Tomaso C, Chang O, Phillips E, James T, Nelson J, Espy K, Mason W, Nelson T. Early executive control buffers risk for adolescent psychopathology during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Journal Of Adolescence 2023, 95: 1205-1219. PMID: 37211897, PMCID: PMC10526894, DOI: 10.1002/jad.12195.
- Tomaso C, Yaroch A, Hill J, Jackson T, Nelson J, James T, Mason W, Espy K, Nelson T. The roles of sleep and executive function in adolescent nighttime eating. Eating Behaviors 2022, 46: 101657. PMID: 36029566, PMCID: PMC11260188, DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2022.101657.
- Nelson T, James T, Nelson J, Tomaso C, Espy K. Executive Control Throughout Elementary School: Factor Structure and Associations With Early Childhood Executive Control. Developmental Psychology 2022, 58: 730-750. PMID: 35343719, PMCID: PMC9583682, DOI: 10.1037/dev0001314.
- Tomaso C, James T, Nelson J, Espy K, Nelson T. Longitudinal associations between executive control and body mass index across childhood. Pediatric Obesity 2021, 17: e12866. PMID: 34725959, PMCID: PMC8923908, DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12866.
- Nelson T, Brock R, Yokum S, Tomaso C, Savage C, Stice E. Much Ado About Missingness: A Demonstration of Full Information Maximum Likelihood Estimation to Address Missingness in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data. Frontiers In Neuroscience 2021, 15: 746424. PMID: 34658780, PMCID: PMC8514662, DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.746424.
- Tomaso C, James T, Nelson J, Espy K, Nelson T. Associations between preschool sleep problems and observed dimensions of elementary classroom engagement. Early Childhood Research Quarterly 2021, 57: 251-259. PMID: 34483473, PMCID: PMC8415494, DOI: 10.1016/j.ecresq.2021.06.009.
- Tomaso C, Johnson A, Nelson T. The effect of sleep deprivation and restriction on mood, emotion, and emotion regulation: three meta-analyses in one. Sleep 2020, 44: zsaa289. PMID: 33367799, PMCID: PMC8193556, DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa289.
- Cheadle J, Goosby B, Jochman J, Tomaso C, Yancey C, Nelson T. Race and ethnic variation in college students’ allostatic regulation of racism-related stress. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2020, 117: 31053-31062. PMID: 33229568, PMCID: PMC7733862, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1922025117.
- Johnson A, Nelson J, Tomaso C, James T, Espy K, Nelson T. Preschool executive control predicts social information processing in early elementary school. Journal Of Applied Developmental Psychology 2020, 71: 101195. DOI: 10.1016/j.appdev.2020.101195.
- Tomaso C, Johnson A, James T, Nelson J, Mason W, Espy K, Nelson T. Emotion Regulation Strategies as Mediators of the Relationship Between Internalizing Psychopathology and Sleep-Wake Problems During the Transition to Early Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study. The Journal Of Early Adolescence 2020, 41: 657-682. DOI: 10.1177/0272431620939184.
- Mason W, Fleming C, Tomaso C, James T, Nelson J, Espy K, Nelson T. Associations of Early Socio-familial Stress with Maladaptive and Adaptive Functioning in Middle Childhood: Roles of Executive Control and Foundational Cognitive Abilities. Prevention Science 2020, 21: 681-690. PMID: 32372380, PMCID: PMC7306445, DOI: 10.1007/s11121-020-01119-1.
- Brockdorf A, Tomaso C, Keel P. Sensitivity to punishment and eating pathology among undergraduate women: The mediating role of shame. Eating Behaviors 2020, 36: 101362. PMID: 31926462, DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2019.101362.
- Jochman J, Cheadle J, Goosby B, Tomaso C, Kozikowski C, Nelson T. Mental Health Outcomes of Discrimination among College Students on a Predominately White Campus: A Prospective Study. Socius Sociological Research For A Dynamic World 2019, 5: 2378023119842728. PMID: 31819906, PMCID: PMC6900932, DOI: 10.1177/2378023119842728.
- Kidwell K, Tomaso C, Lundahl A, Nelson T. Confirmatory factor analysis of the parental feeding style questionnaire with a preschool sample. Eating And Weight Disorders - Studies On Anorexia, Bulimia And Obesity 2018, 25: 407-414. PMID: 30426448, DOI: 10.1007/s40519-018-0613-z.
- Tomaso C, Nelson J, Espy K, Nelson T. Associations between different components of executive control in childhood and sleep problems in early adolescence: A longitudinal study. Journal Of Health Psychology 2018, 25: 2440-2452. PMID: 30253672, DOI: 10.1177/1359105318801065.
- Nelson T, Nelson J, Mason W, Tomaso C, Kozikowski C, Espy K. Executive Control and Adolescent Health: Toward A Conceptual Framework. Adolescent Research Review 2018, 4: 31-43. PMID: 30886888, PMCID: PMC6419957, DOI: 10.1007/s40894-018-0094-3.
- Nelson T, Kidwell K, Nelson J, Tomaso C, Hankey M, Espy K. Preschool Executive Control and Internalizing Symptoms in Elementary School. Research On Child And Adolescent Psychopathology 2018, 46: 1509-1520. PMID: 29313184, PMCID: PMC6035890, DOI: 10.1007/s10802-017-0395-1.
- Zamboanga B, Audley S, Iwamoto D, Martin J, Tomaso C. The Risks of Being “Manly”: Masculine Norms and Drinking Game Motives, Behaviors, and Related Consequences Among Men. Psychology Of Men & Masculinity 2017, 18: 280-292. DOI: 10.1037/men0000064.
- Zamboanga B, Audley S, Olthuis J, Blumenthal H, Tomaso C, Bui N, Borsari B. Validation of a Seven-Factor Structure for the Motives for Playing Drinking Games Measure. Assessment 2017, 26: 582-603. PMID: 28412835, PMCID: PMC5623648, DOI: 10.1177/1073191117701191.
- Zamboanga B, Audley S, Iwamoto D, Tomaso C, Ramos G, Schwartz S. “What’s in a Game?” Acculturation and Drinking Game Behaviors Among Asian American Young Adults. Asian American Journal Of Psychology 2016, 7: 195-204. DOI: 10.1037/aap0000048.
- Zamboanga B, Ham L, Tomaso C, Audley S, Pole N. “Try Walking in Our Shoes”. Teaching Of Psychology 2016, 43: 243-249. DOI: 10.1177/0098628316649484.
- Tomaso C, Zamboanga B, Haas A, Kenney S, Ham L, Borsari B. Extreme Consumption Drinking Gaming and Prepartying Among High School Students. Journal Of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse 2016, 25: 206-211. PMID: 27346931, PMCID: PMC4916969, DOI: 10.1080/1067828x.2014.898168.
- Zamboanga B, Tomaso C, Cloutier R, Blumenthal H, Kenney S, Borsari B. Drinking Game Participation Among High School and Incoming College Students. Journal Of Addictions Nursing 2016, 27: 24-31. PMID: 26950839, PMCID: PMC4784108, DOI: 10.1097/jan.0000000000000108.
- Zamboanga B, Iwamoto D, Pesigan I, Tomaso C. A “Player’s” Game? Masculinity and Drinking Games Participation Among White and Asian American Male College Freshmen. Psychology Of Men & Masculinity 2015, 16: 468-473. DOI: 10.1037/a0039101.
- Zamboanga B, Pesigan I, Tomaso C, Schwartz S, Ham L, Bersamin M, Kim S, Cano M, Castillo L, Forthun L, Whitbourne S, Hurley E. Frequency of drinking games participation and alcohol-related problems in a multiethnic sample of college students: Do gender and ethnicity matter? Addictive Behaviors 2014, 41: 112-116. PMID: 25452053, PMCID: PMC7884055, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2014.10.002.
- Schwartz S, Zamboanga B, Tomaso C, Kondo K, Unger J, Weisskirch R, Ham L, Meca A, Cano M, Whitbourne S, Brittian A, Rosiers S, Hurley E, Vazsonyi A, Ravert R. Association of acculturation with drinking games among Hispanic college students. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2014, 40: 359-366. PMID: 25192203, DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2014.910521.
- Zamboanga B, Tomaso C. Introduction to the Special Issue on College Drinking Games. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2014, 40: 349-352. PMID: 25192201, DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2014.949728.
- Zamboanga B, Tomaso C, Kondo K, Schwartz S. Surveying the Literature on Acculturation and Alcohol Use among Hispanic College Students: We're Not All on the Same Page. Substance Use & Misuse 2014, 49: 1074-1078. PMID: 24779508, DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2014.887731.
- Tomaso C, Zamboanga B, Haas A, Olthuis J, Kenney S, Ham L. All it takes is one: drinking games, prepartying, and negative drinking consequences among high school students. Journal Of Substance Use 2013, 20: 77-84. DOI: 10.3109/14659891.2013.856478.
- Zamboanga B, Tomaso C, Haas A, Olthuis J, Borish S, Borsari B. Trouble brewing: pregaming among high school and incoming college students. Journal Of Psychosocial Nursing And Mental Health Services 2013, 51: 14-7. PMID: 24016135, PMCID: PMC3936534, DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20130828-01.
Departments and Programs