EDUCATION
Ph.D., Psychology (2016-2018), Florida International University, Miami, FL.
Major area: Developmental Science, Minor area: Quantitative Methods
Dissertation: Social Comparison in Eating Disorder Recovery: A Mixed Methodological Approach
M.S., Psychology (2013-2016), Florida International University, Miami, FL.
Major area: Developmental Science
Master’s Thesis: Body Dissatisfaction in Early Adolescence: The Additive Role of Cognitive and Sociocultural Factors
A.B., Psychology (2002-2007), Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA.
PEER REVIEWED MANUSCRIPTS
* denotes mentored graduate student. ** denotes mentored undergraduate student
40. Tingle, E.*, Groen, J., Russell-Mayhew, S., Nutter, S., & Saunders, J. F. (2025). "Going against everything society has told me": The role of transformative learning in healing internalized weight stigma. Studies in the Education of Adults. https://doi.org/10.1080/02660830.2025.2578879
39. Nutter, S., DaSilva, S.*, & Saunders, J. F. (2025). A weight-inclusive approach to restrictive eating disorders: De-centering weight. International Journal of Eating Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.24583
38. Saunders, J. F., Case, K., & Stephens, D. P. (2025). The relationship
between celebrities and body image ideals among Hispanic and Black women. Feminist Media Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2025.2564859
37. Buchkowski, M.*, Nutter, S., & Saunders, J. F. (2025). “It helps me to be more aware and connected to my body when I spent so many years trying to disconnect”: A qualitative pilot study on the impact of time spent in nature on eating disorder recovery. Body Image, 54, 101951. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2025.101951
36. Sahlan, R.N.*, Zickgraf, H., D’Adamo, L., & Saunders, J.F. (2025) Factor structure and measurement invariance of the Farsi version of the Nine-Item Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Screen (F-NIAS): Age, sex, weight, and urbanization group differences in disorder risk among adolescents. Child Psychiatry & Human Development. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-025-01906-3
35. Spiker, R.*, Eaton, A.A., & Saunders, J.F. (2025). Victimization by nonconsensual distribution of intimate images is related to lower holistic well-being in a diverse sample of US adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Violence and Victims, 40(4), 630- 660. https://doi.org/10.1891/VV-2023-0146
34. Jones, S. C.**, Nutter, S., & Saunders, J. F. (2024). “The healthcare system did fail me repeatedly”: A qualitative study on experiences of healthcare among Canadian women with Cushing's Syndrome. BMC Primary Care, 25, 329. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-024-02580-5
33. Nutter, S., Eggerichs, S., Nagpal, T. S., Ramos Salas, X., Chin Chea, C., Saiful, S., Ralston, J., Barata-Cavalcanti, O., Batz, C., Baur, L., Birney, S., Bryant, S., Buse, K., Cardel, M., Chugh, A., Cuevas, A., Farmer, M., Ibrahim, A., Kataria, I., Kotz, C., Kyle, T., Le Brocq, S., Mooney, V., Mullen, C., Nadglowski, J., Neveux, M., Papapietro, K., Powis, J., Puhl, R., Ruanova, B., Saunders, J. F., Stanford, F. C., Stephen, O., Tham, K. W., Urudinachi, A., Vejar-Renteria, L., Walwyn, D., Wilding, J., & Yusop, S. (2024). Changing the global obesity narrative to recognize and reduce weight stigma: A position statement from the World Obesity Federation. Obesity Reviews, 25(1), e13642. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13642
32. Nutter, S., & Saunders, J. F. (2024). Weight stigma and health misinformation: A systematic review of research examining the impact of The Biggest Loser on viewers. Stigma and Health, 9(3), 337-348. https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000457
31. Nutter, S., Saunders, J. F, & Waugh, R.* (2024). Current trends and future directions in internalized weight stigma research: A systematic review and synthesis of the literature. Journal of Eating Disorders, 12, 98. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-024-01058-0
30. Saunders, J. F., Nutter, S., Waugh, R.*, & Hayden, K. A. (2024). Testing body-related components of objectification theory: A meta-analysis of the relations between body shame, self-objectification, and body dissatisfaction. Body Image, 50, 101738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101738
29. Saunders, J. F., Bravo, E.I., & Kassan, A. (2023). “Anorexia doesn’t exist when you’re Latina”: Family, culture, and gendered expectations in eating disorder recovery. Journal of Latinx Psychology, 11(4), 336-350. https://doi.org/10.1037/lat0000236
28. Nutter, S., Saunders, J. F., & Beharaj, G.** (2023). Validating the Sociocultural Influences on Fear of Fat Scale (SI-FAT) on a racially and ethnically diverse sample of college women. Body Image, 47, 101611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.08.003
27. Sahlan, R.N.*, Saunders, J. F., Klimek-Johnson, P., Convertino, A. D., Lavender, K. M., Fitzsimmons-Craft, E. E., & Nagata, J. M. (2023). Validation of a Farsi version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) in adolescents and university students from Iran. Journal of Eating Disorders, 11, 105. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337- 023-00830-y
26. Sahlan, R. N.*, Saunders, J. F., & Fitzsimmons-Craft, E. E. (2023).
Validation of a Farsi version of the Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory among Iranian adolescents. Eating & Weight Disorders, 28(33). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-023-01561-4
25. Russell-Mayhew, S., Estefan, A., Moules, N., Lefebvre, D. C.*, Morhun, J.M*, Saunders, J. F., Wong, K., & Myre, M. (in press). The optics of weight: Perspectives from the panopticon and synopticon. Psychology & Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2022.2117810
24. Tingle, E.*, Saunders, J. F., Nutter, S., & Russell-Mayhew, S. (2023).
Taking weight out of the equation: Unintended harms of weight-focused health discourse in schools. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 94(2), 49-58. https://doi.org/10.1080/07303084.2022.2146818
23. Eaton, A. A., Ramjee, D., & Saunders, J. F. (2023). The relationship between sextortion during COVID-19 and intimate partner violence: A large, study of victimization among diverse U.S. men and women. Violence and Offenders, 18(2), 338-355. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2021.2022057
22. Matejko, E.*, Saunders, J.F., Zak, M.+, Kassan, A., Smith, D., & Mukred, R. (2023). “You can do so much better than what they expect”: An arts-based engagement ethnography on school integration with newcomer youth. Journal of Adolescent Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/07435584211056065
21. Wong, K., Myre, M., Moules, N., Lefebvre, D. C.*, Morhun, J. M.*, Saunders, J. F., Estefan, A., & Russell-Mayhew, S. (2022). The enigma of weight: Figures, flux, and fitting in. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.930360
20. Saunders, J. F., Nutter, S., & Russell-Mayhew, S. (2022). Examining the conceptual and measurement overlap of body dissatisfaction and internalized weight stigma in predominantly female samples: A meta-analysis and measurement refinement study. Frontiers in Global Women’s Health, 21. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2022.877554
19. Saunders, J.F., Zak, M.+, Matejko, E.*, Kassan, A., Mukred, R., & Gallucci, A. (2022). Bridging cultural identities: Examining newcomer's post-secondary school integration experiences through an arts-based ethnographic approach. Emerging Adulthood, 10(4), 952-970. https://doi.org/10.1177/211027674
18. Nutter, S., Saunders, J. F., Brun, I.*, Exner-Cortens, D., & Russell-Mayhew, S. (2022). Changes in pre-service teacher personal and professional attitudes following a comprehensive school health course. Canadian Journal of Education/Revue Canadienne De l’Éducation, 45(1), 227-245. https://doi.org/10.53967/cje-rce.v45i1.5033
17. Sahlan, R*, Saunders, J. F., Perez, M., Blomquist, K. K., Fitzsimmons-Craft, E.E. & Bodell, L. P. (2022). The validation of a Farsi version of the Clinical Impairment Assessment (F-CIA) among Iranian adolescent boys and girls. Eating and Weight Disorders, 27, 665-674. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-021-01204-6
16. Sahlan, R*, Saunders, J. F., Perez, M., Blomquist, K. K., Fitzsimmons-Craft, E.E. & Bodell, L. P. (2021). The validation of a Farsi version of the Loss of Control over Eating Scale (F- LOCES) among Iranian adolescent boys and girls. Eating Behaviors, 41, 101502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2021.101502
15. Sahlan, R.*, Saunders, J. F., & Fitzsimmons-Craft, E. E. (2021). Body-, eating-, and exercise- related social comparison behavior and disordered eating in college women in the U.S. and Iran: A cross-cultural comparison. Eating Behaviors, 40, 101451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2020.101451
14. Sahlan, R.*, Saunders, J. F., Mond, J.M., & Fitzsimmons-Craft, E. E. (2021). Eating disorder symptoms among boys and girls in Iran. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 54(1), 19-23. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23420
13. Saunders, J. F., Nutter, S., Brun, I.*, Exner-Cortens, D., & Russell-Mayhew, S. (2021). The efficacy of comprehensive school health course in changing pre-service teachers’ attitudes and reactions toward weight-related teasing. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 36(3), 235-243. https://doi.org/10.1177/0829573520974916
12. Sahlan, R.*, Williams, B. M.*, Forrest, L. N., Saunders, J. F., Fitzsimmons-Craft, E. E., & Levinson, C. A. (2021). Disordered eating, self-esteem, and depression symptoms in Iranian adolescents and young adults: A network analysis. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 54(2), 132-147. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23365
11. Nutter, S., Russell-Mayhew, S., & Saunders, J. F. (2021). Towards a
sociocultural model of weight stigma. Eating and Weight Disorders- Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia, and Obesity, 26, 999 1005 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-020-00931-6
10. Sahlan, R.*, Saunders, J. F., Fitzsimmons-Craft, E. E., & Taravatrooy, F.+ (2020). The validity and reliability of the Farsi version of the Body, Eating, and Exercise Comparison Orientation Measure (F-BEECOM) among male and female students. Body Image, 34, 72-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.05.006
9. Saunders, J. F., Eaton, A. A., & Aguilar, S.* (2020). From self(ie)-objectification to self- empowerment: The meaning of selfies on social media in eating disorder recovery. Computers in Human Behavior, 111, 106420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106420
8. Eaton, A. A., Saunders, J. F., Jacobson, R. K.*, & West, K. (2020). How
gender and race stereotypes impact the advancement of scholars in STEM: Professors’ biased evaluations of physics and biology post-doctoral candidates. Sex Roles, 82(3-4), 127-141. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-019-01052-w
7. Saunders, J. F., Eaton, A. A., & Fitzsimmons-Craft, E. E. (2019). Body-, eating-, and exercise- related comparisons during eating disorder recovery and validation of the BEECOM-R. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 43(4), 494-508. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361684319851718
6. Saunders, J. F., Eaton, A. A., & Frazier, S. L. (2019). Disordered society: Women in eating disorder recovery advise policymakers on change. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 46(2), 175-187. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-018-0903-9
5. Saunders, J. F., & Eaton, A. A. (2018). Social comparison in eating disorder recovery: Using PhotoVoice to capture the sociocultural influences on women’s recovery. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 51(12), 1361-1366. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.2297
4. Saunders, J. F., & Eaton, A. A. (2018). Snaps, selfies, and shares: How social media use contributes to the sociocultural model of disordered eating among young women. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 21(6), 343-354. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2017.0713
3. Saunders, J. F., Nichols-Lopez, K. A. & Frazier, L. D. (2018). Psychometric properties of the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) in a culturally diverse Hispanic American sample. Eating Behaviors, 28, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2017.11.003
2. Saunders, J. F. & Frazier, L. D. (2017). Body dissatisfaction in early adolescence: The coactive roles of cognitive and sociocultural factors. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 46(6), 1246-1261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-016-0559-2
1. Saunders, J. F., Frazier, L. D., Nichols-Lopez, K. A. (2016). Self-esteem, diet self-efficacy, body mass index, and eating disorders: Modeling effects in an ethnically diverse sample. Journal of Eating and Weight Disorders- Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia, and Obesity, 21(3), 459-468. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-015-0244-6
SELECT PRESENTATIONS
Saunders, J. F. (2023, June 25-27). Exploring the roots, processes, and resistance of weight stigma. Symposium chaired at the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issue’s annual meeting, Denver, CO.
Saunders, J. F. (2023, June 25-27). Weight stigma in healthcare and associations with health outcomes. Symposium chaired at the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issue’s annual meeting, Denver, CO.
Buchkowski, M.*, Nutter, S., & Saunders, J. F. (2023, June 1-3). The impact of time spent in nature on eating disorder recovery. Poster delivered at the 2023 International Conference on Eating Disorders, Washington, DC.
Nutter, S. & Saunders, J. F. (2023, June 1-3). A systematic review and content analysis of internalized weight stigma literature: Directions for future research. Oral presentation delivered at the biannual International Conference on Eating Disorders, Washington, D.C.
Saunders, J. F., Sahlan, R. N., & Fitzsimmons-Craft, E. E. (2023, June 1-3). Validation of the Farsi versions of four eating pathology assessments among Iranian adolescents. Oral presentation delivered at the biannual International Conference on Eating Disorders, Washington, D.C.
Saunders, J.F., Nutter, S., & Russell-Mayhew, S. (2023, June 1-3). Exploring the complexities of internalized weight stigma. Oral presentation delivered at the biannual International Conference on Eating Disorders, Washington, D.C.