Members
Steriani Elavsky, Ph.D. is a Scientific Researcher at the Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society, Masaryk University, the Czech Republic. She is a member of the Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society and a current SoMoPro (The South Moravian Programme for Distinguished Researchers) Fellow. Presently, her research focuses on mobile health (mHealth) technologies for improving behavioral health and active aging in the Czech Republic. As part of her research she is also interested in novel methods for behavioral and psychological monitoring and interventions in older adults through the application of ecological ambulatory methodologies.
Steri´s broader research interests include health behaviors such as physical activity, aging, and women´s health. She has published in a number of international journals including Health Psychology, Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Journal of Exercise and Sport Psychology or the European Journal of Physical Activity and Aging. She is a long-standing member of the US-based Society of Behavioral Medicine and spent 16 years working at US-based institutions (University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, Penn State University at University Park where she earned her tenure and remains an adjunct professor).
Journal articles
2024
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Blahošová, J., Tancoš, M., Cho, Y. W., Šmahel, D., Elavsky, S., Chow, S. & Lebedíková, M. (2024). Examining the Reciprocal Relationship Between Social Media Use and Perceived Social Support Among Adolescents: A Smartphone Ecological Momentary Assessment Study. Media Psychology. Online first. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2024.2310834
https://osf.io/hnsrj
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Tkaczyk, M., Tancoš, M., Smahel, D., Elavsky, S. & Plhák, J. (2024). (In)accuracy and convergent validity of daily end-of-day and single-time self-reported estimations of smartphone use among adolescents. Computers in Human Behavior, 158, 108281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2024.108281
2023
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Tkaczyk, M., Lacko, D., Elavsky, S., Tancoš, M., & Šmahel, D. (2023). Are smartphones detrimental to adolescent sleep? An electronic diary study of evening smartphone use and sleep. Computers in Human Behavior, 149, 107946. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2023.107946
2022
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Elavsky, S., Blahošová, J., Lebedíková, M., Tkaczyk, M., Tancos, M., Plhák, J., Sotolář, O., & Smahel, D. (2022). Researching the links between smartphone behavior and adolescent well-being with the FUTURE-WP4 (Modeling the future: Understanding the impact of technology on adolescent’s well-being Work package 4) project: Protocol for an ecological momentary assessment study.
JMIR Research Protocols, 11(3), e35984. https://doi.org/10.2196/35984
2020
- Bai, S., Elavsky, S., Kishida, M., Dvorakova, K., & Greenberg, M. (2020). Effects of mindfulness training on daily stress response in college students: Ecological momentary assessment of a randomized controlled trial. Mindfulness, 11(6), 1433-1445. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01358-x.
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Elavsky, S., Knapová, L., Klocek, A., & Smahel, D. (2020). Mobile health interventions for physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep in adults aged 50 years and older: A systematic literature review. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 27(4), 565-593. http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/japa.2017-0410
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Riad, A., Huang, Y., Zheng, L., & Elavsky, S. (2020). COVID-19 induced anxiety and protective behaviors during COVID-19 outbreak: Scale development and validation. MedRxiv. http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.05.20050419
- Smahelova, M., Klocek, A., Knapova, L., & Elavsky, S. (2020). Vnímání ve zdravotnictví využitelných informačně-komunikačních technologií českými praktickými lékaři. Praktický lékař, 100(2), 92-99.
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Knapova, L., Klocek, A., & Elavsky, S. (2020). The role of psychological factors in older adults’ readiness to use eHealth technology: Cross-sectional questionnaire Study. Journal of Medical Internet Reseach, 22(5), e14670. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/14670
2019
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Smahel, D., Elavsky, S., & Machackova, H. (2019). Functions of mHealth applications: A user’s perspective. Health informatics journal, 25(3), 1065-1075. https://doi.org/10.1177/1460458217740725
2017
- Dvořáková, K., Kishida, M., Li, J., Elavsky, S., Broderick, P. C., Agrusti, M. R., & Greenberg, M. T. (2017). Promoting healthy transition to college through mindfulness training with first-year college students: Pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal Of American College Health, 65, 259-267. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2017.1278605
- Elavsky, S., Smahel, D., & Machackova, H. (2017). Who are mobile app users from healthy lifestyle websites? Analysis of patterns of app use and user characteristics. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 7, 891–901. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-017-0525-x
- Kishida, M., & Elavsky, S. (2017). A daily process approach to depict satisfaction with life during the menopausal transition: Physical (in)activity, symptoms, and neuroticism. Journal of Happiness Studies, 18, 631-645. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10902-016-9743-z
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Mudrak, J., Slepicka, P., & Elavsky, S. (2017). Social cognitive determinants of physical activity in Czech older adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 25, 196-204. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2015-0125
2016
- Elavsky, S., Kishida, M., & Mogle, J. (2016). Concurrent and lagged relations between momentary affect and sedentary behavior in middle-aged women. Menopause, 23(8), 919-923.
- Kishida, M., & Elavsky, S. (2016). An intensive longitudinal examination of daily physical activity and sleep in midlife women. Sleep Health: Journal of the National Sleep Foundation, 2, 42-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2015.12.001
- Rebar, A. L., Maher, J. P., Doerksen, S. E., Elavsky, S., Conroy, D. E. (2016). Intention-behavior gap is wider for walking and moderate physical activity than for vigorous physical activity in university students. Journal of Science & Medicine in Sport, 19(2), 130-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.11.392
2015
- Kishida, M., & Elavsky, S. (2015). Daily physical activity enhances resilient resources for symptom management in middle-aged women. Health Psychology, 34(7), 456-64.
- Mudrak, J., Stochl, J., Slepicka, P., & Elavsky, S. (2015). Physical activity, self-efficacy, and quality of life in older Czech adults. European Journal of Ageing, 1-10.
2014
- Doerksen, S. E., Elavsky, S., Hyde, A. L.,& Conroy, D. E. (2014). Weekly fluctuations in college student leisure activities and well-being. Leisure Sciences, 36(1), 14-34.
- Fitzsimmons, P. T., Maher, J. P., Doerksen, S. E., Elavsky, S., Rebar, A. L., Conroy, D. E. A Daily process analysis of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and perceived cognitive abilities. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 15(5), 498-504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2014.04.008
- Maher, J. P., Doerksen, S. E., Elavsky, S., & Conroy, D. E. (2014). Daily satisfaction with life is regulated by both physical activity and sedentary behavior. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 36(2), 166-78. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2013-0185
- Park, C.-H., Elavsky, S., & Koo, K. (2014). Factors influencing physical activity in older adults. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 10(1), 45-52. eCollection 2014 Feb. https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.140089
- Rebar, A. L., Elavsky, S., Maher, J. P., Doerksen, S. E., & Conroy, D. E. (2014). Habits predict physical activity on days when intentions are weak. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 36(2), 157-65. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2013-0173
2013
- Conroy, D. E., Elavsky, S., Doerksen, S. E., & Maher, J. P. (2013). A daily process analysis of intentions and physical activity in college students. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 35(5),493-502.
- Conroy, D., Maher, J. P., Elavsky, S., Hyde, A. L., & Doerksen, S. E. (2013). Sedentary behavior as a daily process regulated by habits and intentions. Health Psychology, 32(11), 1149-57.
- Elavsky, S., Gold, C., Rovine, M., & Malmberg, B. (2013). Behavioral correlates of depressive symptoms in older unlike-sex twin pairs. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 25(3), 257-264.
- Huberty, J., Sylofski, D., Coleman, J. D., Yong, G., & Elavsky, S. (2013). Women Bound to Be Active: Differences in long-term physical activity between completers and non-completers of a book club intervention. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 10(3), 368-78.
- Huberty, J., Vener, J., Gao, Y., Matthews, J. L., Ransdell, L., & Elavsky, S. (2013). Developing an instrument to measure physical activity related self-worth in women: Rasch analysis of the Women’s Physical Activity Self-Worth Inventory (WPASWI). Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 14(1), 111-121.
- Hyde, A. L., Maher, J. P., & Elavsky, S. (2013). Enhancing our understanding of physical activity and wellbeing with a lifespan perspective. International Journal of Wellbeing, 3(1), 98-115. http://dx.doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v3i1.6
- Maher, J. P., Doerksen, S. E., Elavsky, S., Hyde, A. L., Pincus, A. L., Ram, N., & Conroy, D. E. (2013). A daily analysis of physical activity and satisfaction with life in emerging adults. Health Psychology, 32(6), 647-56.
2012
- Elavsky, S., Doerksen, S. E., & Conroy, D. E. (2012). Identifying priorities among goals and plans: A critical psychometric reexamination of the Exercise Goal-Setting and Planning/Scheduling Scales. Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology, 1(3), 158-172.
- Elavsky, S., Gonzales, J. U., Proctor, D. N., Williams, N. I., & Henderson, V. W. (2012). Effects of physical activity on vasomotor symptoms: Examination using objective and subjective measures. Menopause, 19(10), 1095-1103.
- Elavsky, S., Molenaar, P., Gold, C. H., Williams, N. I., Aronson, K. R. (2012). Daily physical activity and menopausal hot flashes: Applying a novel within-person approach to demonstrate individual differences. Maturitas, 71(3), 287-93.
- Hyde, A. L., Elavsky, S., Doerksen, S., & Conroy, D. E. (2012). The stability of automatic evaluations of physical activity and their relations with physical activity. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 34(6), 715-36.
- Hyde, A. L., Elavsky, S., Doerksen, S. E, & Conroy, D. E. (2012). Habit strength moderates the strength of within-person relations between weekly self-reported and objectively-assessed physical activity. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 13(5), 558-561.
- Moore, D., Gonzales, J., Tucker, S., Elavsky, S., & Proctor, D. (2012). Exercise-induced vasodilation is menopause stage-dependent in healthy, middle-aged women. Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism, 37(3), 418-24.
- Mudrak, J., Slepicka, P., & Elavsky, S. (2012). Physical activity, perceived self-efficacy, and quality of life in older adults. The Scientific Journal of Kinanthropology [Studia Kinanthropologica], 8(3), 262-267.
- Mudrak, J., Slepicka, P., & Elavsky, S. (2012). Physical activity and its social cognitive correlates in Czech and American older adults. Česká kinantropologie, 16(3), 39–53.
- Mudrak, J., Slepicka, P., & Elavsky, S. (2012). Motivation for physical activity in Czech seniors. Acta Universitatis Carolinae – Kinanthropologica, 47(2), 7-18.
2011
- Conroy, D., Elavsky, S., Hyde, A. L., & Doerksen, S. E. (2011). The Dynamic nature of physical activity intentions: A within-person perspective on intention-behavior coupling. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 33(6), 807-27.
- Elavsky, C. M., Mislan, C., & Elavsky, S. (2011). When talking less is more: Exploring outcomes of twitter usage in the large-lecture hall. Learning, Media & Technology, 36(3), 215-233.
- Vallance, J. K., Murray, T. C., Johnson, S. T., Elavsky, S. (2011). Understanding the determinants of physical activity intentions and behavior in postmenopausal women: An application of the Theory of Planned Behavior. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 18(2), 139-149.
2010
- Elavsky, S. (2010). Longitudinal examination of the Exercise and Self-Esteem Model in middle-aged women. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 32(6), 862-880.
- Vallance, J. K., Murray, T. C., Johnson, S. T., Elavsky, S. (2010). Quality of life and psychosocial health in postmenopausal women achieving public health guidelines for physical activity. Menopause, 17(1), 64-71.
2009
- Elavsky, S. (2009). Physical activity, menopause, and quality of life: the role of affect and self-worth across time. Menopause, 16(2), 265-271.
- Elavsky, S., & Gold, C. H. (2009). Depressed mood but not fatigue mediates the relationship between physical activity and perceived stress in middle-aged women. Maturitas, 64(4), 235-40.
- Elavsky, S., McAuley, E. (2009). Personality, menopausal symptoms, and physical activity outcomes in middle-aged women. Personality and Individual Differences, 46(2), 123-128.
2008
- Gordon, B. A., Rykhlevskaia, I. R., Brumback, C. R., Lee, Y., Elavsky, S., Konopack, J. F., . . . Fabiani, M. (2008). Neuroanatomical correlates of aging, cardiopulmonary fitness level, and education. Psychophysiology, 45(5), 825-838.
- Konopack, J. F., Marquez, D. X., Hu, L., Elavsky, S., McAuley, E., Kramer, A. F. (2008). Correlates of functional fitness in older adults. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 15(4), 311-8.
2007
- Elavsky, S., & McAuley, E. (2007). Physical activity and mental health outcomes during menopause: A Randomized controlled trial. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 33(2), 132-142.
- Elavsky, S., & McAuley, E. (2007). Lack of perceived sleep improvement following 4-month structured exercise programs. Menopause, 14(3), 1-6.
- Elavsky, S., & McAuley, E. (2007). Exercise and self-esteem in menopausal women: A randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Health Promotion, 22(2), 83-92.
- Erickson, K. I., Colcombe, S.J., Elavsky, S., McAuley, E., Korol, D. L., Scalf, P., Kramer A. F. (2007). Interactive effects of fitness and hormone treatment on brain health in postmenopausal women. Neurobiology of Aging, 28(2), 179-85.
- McAuley, E., Morris, K. S., Motl, R. W., Hu, L., Konopack, J. F., & Elavsky, S. (2007). Long-term follow-up of physical activity behavior in older adults. Health Psychology, 26(3), 375-80.
- McAuley, E., Motl, R. W., Morris, K. S., Hu, L., Doerksen, S. E., Elavsky, S., Konopack, J. F. (2007). Enhancing physical activity and well-being in Multiple Sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial. Multiple Sclerosis, 13(5), 652-9.
2006
- Colcombe, S. J., Erikson, K. I., Scalf, P., Kim, J. S., Wadhwa, R., McAuley, E., . . . Kramer, A. F. (2006). Aerobic exercise training increases brain volume in aging humans. Journals of Gerontology Medical Sciences, 61A, 1166-1170.
- Marquez, D. X., McAuley, E., Motl, R. W., Elavsky, S., Konopack, J. F., Jerome, G. J., & Kramer, A. F. (2006). Construct validation of the 5-item Geriatric Depression Scale among sedentary older adults. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 66, 667-675.
2005
- Elavsky, S., & McAuley, E. (2005). Physical Activity, symptoms, esteem, and life satisfaction during menopause. Maturitas, 52, 374-385.
- Elavsky, S., McAuley, E., Motl, R. W., Konopack, J. F., Marquez, D. X., Hu, L., Jerome, GJ., & Diener, E. (2005). Physical activity enhances long-term quality of life in older adults: Efficacy, esteem, and affective influences. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 30(2), 138-145.
- Hu, L., McAuley, E., & Elavsky, S. (2005). Does the Physical Self-Efficacy Scale assess self-efficacy or self-esteem? Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 27(2), 152-170.
- McAuley, E., Elavsky, S., Jerome, G. J., Konopack, J. F., & Marquez, D. X. (2005). Physical activity related well-being in older adults: Social cognitive influences. Psychology & Aging, 20(2), 295-302.
- McAuley, E., Elavsky, S., Motl, R. W., Konopack, J. F., Hu, L., & Marquez, D. X. (2005). Physical activity, self-efficacy and self-esteem: Longitudinal relationships in older adults. Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 60B(5), 268-275.
- Motl, R. W., Konopack, J. F., McAuley, E., Elavsky, S., Jerome, G.J., & Marquez, D. X. (2005). Depressive symptoms among older adults: Long-term reduction after a physical activity intervention. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 28, 385-394.
2004
- Colcombe, S. J., Kramer, A. F., Eriksen, K. I., Scalf, P., McAuley, E., Cohen, N.J., . . . Elavsky, S. (2004). Cardiovascular fitness, cortical plasticity, and aging. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101(9), 3316-21.
2003
- Kramer, A. F., Colcombe, S. J., McAuley, E., Eriksen, K. I., Scalf, P., Jerome, G. J., Marquez, D. X., Elavsky, S., & Webb, A. G. (2003). Enhancing brain and cognitive function of older adults through fitness training. J Mol Neurosci, 20(3), 213-22.
- McAuley, E., Jerome, G.J., Elavsky, S., Marquez, D. X., & Ramsey, S. N. (2003). Predicting long-term maintenance of physical activity in older adults. Preventive Medicine, 37, 110-118.
- McAuley, E., Jerome, G.J., Marquez, D. X., Elavsky, S., & Blissmer, B. (2003). Exercise self-efficacy in older adults: Social, affective, and behavioral influences. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 25, 1-7.
2002
- Jerome, G. J., Marquez, D. X., McAuley, E., Canaklisova, S., Snook, E., & Vickers, M. (2002). Self-efficacy effects on feeling states in women. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 9, 139-154.
- Marquez, D. X., Jerome, G. J., McAuley, E., Snook, E., & Canaklisova, S. (2002). Self-efficacy manipulation and state anxiety responses to exercise in low active women. Psychology & Health, 17(6), 783-791.
Book chapters
2014
- Doerksen, S., & Elavsky, S. (2014). Social Cognitive Theory. In Eklund. R.C., & Tenenbaum, G. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology (pp. 684-688). SAGE Publishing.
2013
- Elavsky, S., & McAuley, E. (2013). Role of physical activity in older adults’ quality of life. In P. Ekkekakis (Ed.), The Routledge Handbook of Physical Activity and Mental Health. Routledge (pp. 493-504).
2010
- Elavsky, S., & Doerksen, S. (2010). Building self-esteem and self-efficacy through leisure. In Payne, L., Godbey, G., & Ainsworth, B. (Eds.), Leisure, Health, and Wellness (pp. 165-178). Venture Publishing.
2007
- McAuley, E. & Elavsky, S. (2007). Self-Efficacy, Physical Activity, and Cognitive Function. In Spirduso, W., Chodzko-Zajko, W., & Poon, L. (Eds.), Exercise and its Mediating Effects on Cognition (pp. 69-84). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
2006
- McAuley, E., & Elavsky, S. (2006). Physical activity, aging, and quality of life: Implications for measurement. In W. Zhu & W. Chodzko-Zajko (Eds.), Measurement Issues in Aging and Physical Activity (pp. 57-68). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Reports
2023
- Blahošová, J., Lebedíková, M., Tancoš, M., Plhák, J., Smahel, D., Elavsky, S., Tkaczyk, M., & Sotolář, O. (2023). How are Czech adolescents using their phones? Analysis using objective smartphone data. Brno: Masaryk University.
Conferences
2024
- Lacko, D., Blahošová, J., Lebediková, M., Tkaczyk, M., Smahel, D., Elavsky, S., & Tancoš, M. (2024). Utilizing dynamic structural equation modeling on intensive longitudinal data: The inspiration for digital media use effects research. International Meeting of Psychometric Society 2024. Prague, Czech Republic.
- Lacko, D., Blahošová, J., Lebediková, M., Tkaczyk, M., Smahel, D., Elavsky, S., & Tancoš, M. (2024). The reciprocal associations between smartphone use and affective well-being among adolescents: Results of an EMA study. Society for Ambulatory Assessment 2024. Ann Arbor, Michigan, the United States of America.
2023
- Blahošová, J., Tancoš, M., Smahel, D., Elavsky, S., Chow, S., Cho, Y., & Lebedíková, M. (2023, May 26). Examining the Reciprocal Relationship between Social Media Use and Perceived Social Support among Adolescents: A Smartphone Ecological Momentary Assessment Study. Presented at the 73rd Annual International Communication Association (ICA) Conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Available here.
2022
- Blahošová, J., Tancoš, M., Šmahel, D., Elavsky, S., Cho, Y. W., Chow, S. M., & Lebedíková, M. (2022, October 19-22). Examining reciprocal relationship between social media use and perceived social support among adolescents: A smartphone ecological momentary assessment study. Presented at the 9th European Communication Conference (ECREA), Aarhus, Denmark. Available here.
- Lebedíková, M., Tancoš, M., Šmahel, D., Elavsky, S., Cho, Y. W., & Chow, S. M. (2022, October 19-22). The role of social networking and instant messaging apps in adolescent exposure to sexually explicit materials: A 14-day window into adolescent smartphone usage. Presented at the 9th European Communication Conference (ECREA), Aarhus, Denmark. Available here.
2021
- Lebedikova, M., Smahelova, M., Smahel, D., Elavsky, S., Plhak, J., Sotolar, O., Schejbal, M. (2021, November). Testing innovative methods for research on children’s technology usage. Presented at the 8th European Communication Conference (ECREA), online.

Assoc. Prof. Steriani Elavsky, Ph.D.
E-mail: elavsky@fss.muni.cz
ORCID: 0000-0002-5070-0481
Research interests
- health psychology
- psychology of physical activity
- wellbeing/quality of life
- health behavior change
- adult development and aging
- women´s health
- mind-body modalities (e.g., yoga)