Dr. José G. Luiggi-Hernández is an Assistant Professor of Medicine. As a qualitative methodologist, he specializes in the collection and analysis of various forms of data, including interviews, focus groups, observational records, documentation, written material, visual content, arts-based data, and online content. With over a decade of research experience, he has contributed to a broad spectrum of projects covering psychotherapy process and outcomes for both physical (such as diabetes and pain management) and mental health conditions, clinical decision-making, digital health technologies, program evaluations, pre-implementation research, health disparities, social determinants of health, substance use, PTSD, depression, and more. Additionally, Dr. Luiggi-Hernández is actively engaging in research addressing anti-racism, decolonization, and combatting LGBTQ phobias, underscoring his commitment to advancing health equity and social justice.
Beyond academia, José finds joy in immersing himself in nature, gathering with friends and family, unwinding by the beach, and indulging in video games. He also enjoys philosophical literature, appreciating the arts, and attempts to refine his musical skill, with limited success.
Education & Training
- BA (Psychology), University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, 2014
- MPH (General Public Health), University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, 2015
- Pre-Doctoral Internship (Clinical Psychology), VA Caribbean Healthcare System, 2022
- MA (Clinical Psychology), Duquesne University, 2017
- PhD (Clinical Psychology), Duquesne University, 2023
Representative Publications
Gaztambide DJ, Feliciano-Graniela FE, Luiggi-Hernández JG, Escobar EVM. Decolonizing psychoanalysis: Anti-Blackness, coloniality, and a new premise for psychoanalytic treatment. In L Comas-Díaz, HY Adames, & NY Chavez-Dueñas (Eds.), Decolonial psychology: Towards anticolonial theories, research, training, and pratice (pp. 321-334), 2024. American Psychological Association.
In this chapter, the authors contextualize the colonial complicity and decolonial potential of psychoanalytic theory and practice via the work of Frantz Fanon (psychiatrist). The authors provide clinical examples of how clinical and community psychoanalytic practices are modified through the integration of a decolonial framework.
Luiggi-Hernández JG & Feliciano Graniela FE. La experiencia de esperanza dentro del context colonial puertorriqueño [The experience of hope within the colonized context of Puerto Rico]. In J Moralez-Cruz, I Serrano-García, K Baerga-Santini, I Sánchez-Cardona, M Figueroa Rodríguez (Eds). Psicología en Puerto Rico: Desafíos contextuales y retos para la acción (pp. 23-36), 2022. Asociación de Psicología de Puerto Rico.
This qualitative study aimed to generate new, contextual understanding about how hope is lived in Puerto Rico and how contextual factors influence the structure of this experience. Results suggest differences between other theories of hope, as the object of hope is collective wellbeing (rather than individual goal attainment) and is influenced by the barriers and facilitators to resources necessary to meet basic needs.
Anderson-Carpenter KD, Sauter HM, Luiggi-Hernández JG, Haight PE. Associations between perceived homophobia, community connectedness, and having a primary care provider among gay and bisexual men. Sexuality Research and Social Policy. 2024, 16, 309-316.
In this study, 2281 adult men who have sex with men completed questionnaires asking about access to or utilization of health services, perceived community-level homophobia, and connectedness to the LGBT community. Higher levels of perceived homophobia were associated with lower odds of having a regular healthcare provider, and community connectedness mediated this relationship.
Luiggi-Hernández JG, Woo J, Hamm M, Greco CM, Weiner DK, & Morone NE. Mindfulness for chronic low back pain: A qualitative analysis. Pain Medicine. 2018, 19(11), 2138-2145.
This qualitative study aimed to develop first-person accounts of older adults’ experiences and perspectives about using mindfulness to cope with chronic low back pain. Themes found included: overcoming fear of pain ("Before [learning mindfulness], I used to dread pain"), pain awareness ("You're focusing more on being aware than the pain; now that's what helps me."), and pain significance ("It becomes insignificant.").
Click here for a more complete bibliography of Dr. Luiggi-Hernández’s work.
Research Interests
- Qualitative research
- Patient experience
- Stakeholder engagement
- Process and outcome research