Christina Castellano, PhD, RN

I obtained my BA in Psychology from St. Louis University in 2010 and my BSN from Goldfarb School of Nursing in 2014. I have a broad background in psychology, with specific training and expertise in women’s health nursing and education. I spent most of my career as an educator on the Gynecology Oncology inpatient unit, followed by Labor and Delivery. During my time on Labor and Delivery, I began the PhD program at UMSL. My passion is in fostering the growth of students, while cultivating their desire for knowledge.

While in the PhD program, I birthed four beautiful daughters and acquired two male golden retrievers. I currently serve as a Peer Mentor and Group Facilitator for Sisters of St. Mary’s MomsLine where I speak with mothers weekly to support, empathize, and hold space for childbearing women to express their needs and concerns. I also am a member and Peer Mentor of Postpartum Support International. While similar to MomsLine, it serves women and men worldwide to promote psychological wellbeing.

Education

• BA, St. Louis University
• BSN, Goldfarb School of Nursing
• PhD, University of Missouri-St. Louis

Research Interests

My research interest includes the experiences of low-income American perinatal women. My ongoing research is focused on lack of perceived social support and empowerment in rural low-income perinatal women.

Selected Publications

Castellano, Christina, "The Motherhood Crusade: Rural Low-Income Mothers, Support, and Empowerment" (2023). Dissertations. 1288. https://irl.umsl.edu/dissertation/1288

Selected Presentations

• Poster Presentation at Postpartum Support International Conference, 2022
• Poster Presentation at Washington University Institute for Public Health, 2022
• Poster Presentation at Midwest Nursing Research Society, 2023
• National Alliance for Mental Illness Presenter, 2023
• Poster Presentation at Postpartum Support International Conference, 2023

Honors and Awards

• O'Grady Dissertation Award,
• Mary Reardon Castles Award

Memberships

• Association Colleges of Nursing
• Postpartum Support International
• Midwest Nursing Research Society
• Sigma Theta Tau Member
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society  
• American Nursing Association