Research experience
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Aug 2005–
Jun 2010Research: Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University · Mandel School of Applied Social SciencesUSA · Cleveland -
Aug 2001–
Aug 2005Research: Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis · George Warren Brown School of Social WorkUSA · Saint Louis
Publications (31) View all
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Article: Static, dynamic, integrated, and contextualized: a framework for understanding mental health service utilization among young adults.
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ABSTRACT: Research has illuminated the problem of untreated mental illness among young adults, including evidence that young people who exit public care systems often discontinue mental health services in adulthood. The present study explored mental health service use experiences during the transition to adulthood among sixty young adults, ages 18-25, from a Midwestern U.S. state. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. All participants had mood difficulties, and shared three childhood experiences: (a) mood disorder diagnosis; (b) use of public mental health services; and (c) experience with social service systems. Immersion and grounded theory coding techniques were applied to the interview data. Two major themes about mental health service use emerged from the findings, namely the changing nature of service use over time and characterizations of experiences associated with service use at a given point in time. Categories of explanatory constructs that emerged in the latter theme included perceived need, emotions, perceived efficacy of services, and social considerations, among others. Findings suggested a four-facet mid-level theory of service utilization, highlighting both the cross-sectional and time-variant character of service use and decision-making within context. Links between broader theoretical frameworks of service utilization and social psychological models of decision making were noted, and guidelines were presented for ten classes of variables that researchers interested in understanding service use by young adults should consider.Social Science [?] Medicine 07/2012; 75(8):1441-9. · 2.70 Impact Factor -
Article: Cultural Mistrust of Mental Health Professionals Among Black Males Transitioning from Foster Care
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ABSTRACT: We examined cultural mistrust of mental health professionals among Black males who are transitioning from the foster care system (N=74) and its relationship to their level of satisfaction with child welfare services and the frequency of negative social contextual experiences. Results of hierarchical regression analysis showed that the level of satisfaction with child welfare services moderated the relationship between negative social contextual experiences and cultural mistrust of mental health professionals. Specifically, more frequent negative social contextual experiences were related to greater cultural mistrust of mental health professionals for Black males reporting low satisfaction with child welfare services, but not for those reporting high satisfaction with child welfare services. Implications for service delivery are discussed. KeywordsCultural mistrust–Black males–Foster care–Service satisfaction–Negative social contextual experiencesJournal of Child and Family Studies 05/2012; 20(5):605-613. · 1.12 Impact Factor -
Article: A qualitative investigation of self-stigma among adolescents taking psychiatric medication.
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ABSTRACT: The extant literature describes stigma in two forms, public stigma and self-stigma. Public stigma pertains to negative social behaviors, reactions, attitudes, and beliefs directed toward people with mental illness and among persons with mental illness. Self-stigma concerns the internalized effects of public stigma. Although both types of stigma have negative impacts on people with mental illness, they produce different effects. In particular, self-stigma can negatively affect self-esteem, social relationships, willingness to engage in life opportunities, and adherence to psychiatric services. Few adult stigma models represent self-stigma, and no models exist that examine self-stigma among adolescents with a mental illness. Because of developmental differences, adolescent self-stigma may be distinct from that of adults. This study aimed to develop a self-stigma model to elucidate youths' responses to mental illness labels and how psychiatric services affect self-image and self-efficacy. The qualitative study included a sample of 27 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 who took psychiatric medication for a mental illness diagnosis. A semistructured interview, the Teen Subjective Experience Medication Interview, was used to query adolescents about their perceptions of having a psychiatric diagnosis and of taking psychiatric medication. The analytic strategy identified a sequence of narrative plot components that illustrated a self-stigma process among adolescents. The findings revealed a self-stigma model comprising three narrative components: stereotype, differentiate, and protect. The adolescent model was similar to yet distinct from the adult model, and developmental differences may contribute to the variation. The need for future research to validate an adolescent self-stigma model is discussed.Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.) 08/2011; 62(8):893-9. · 2.81 Impact Factor -
Article: Keys to successful diabetes self-management for uninsured patients: social support, observational learning, and turning points: a safety net providers' strategic alliance study.
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ABSTRACT: To examine how medically uninsured patients who receive health care at federally qualified health centers and free clinics are able to successfully self-manage diabetes compared to patients who are less successful. Two distinct groups of patients with diabetes for 6 months or longer were enrolled: (1) successful, defined as those with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 7% or less or a recent improvement of at least 2% (n=17); and (2) unsuccessful, defined as patients with HbAlc of at least 9% (n=9) and without recent improvement. Patients were interviewed about enabling factors, motivators, resources, and barriers to diabetes self-management. Data from interviews, chart reviews, and clinician surveys were analyzed using qualitative methods and statistical techniques. African Americans comprised 57.7% of the sample and whites 38.5% (N=26). No significant differences were detected between successful and unsuccessful groups in age, race, education, or employment status. Clinicians rated unsuccessful patients as having more severe diabetes and significantly lower levels of control than successful patients. Compared to unsuccessful patients, successful patients more often reported having friends or family with diabetes, more frequently sought information about the disease, used evidence-based self-management strategies, held more accurate perceptions of their own diabetes control, and experienced "turning point" events that motivated increased efforts in disease management. Patients who successfully managed diabetes learned from diabetic family members and interpreted disease-related events as motivational turning points. It may be beneficial to incorporate social learning and motivational enhancement into diabetes interventions to increase patients' motivation for improved levels of self-management.Journal of the National Medical Association 03/2011; 103(3):257-64. · 1.16 Impact Factor -
Article: Social Support: A Mixed Blessing for Women in Substance Abuse Treatment.
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ABSTRACT: Using a personal social network framework, this qualitative study sought to understand how women in substance abuse treatment describe their network members' supportive and unsupportive behaviors related to recovery. Eighty-six women were interviewed from residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs. Positive and negative aspects of women's social networks were assessed via open-ended questions. Analysis was guided by grounded theory techniques using three coders. The findings extend classic social support concepts such as emotional, tangible, and informational support. Practice implications are presented in light of the potential roles network members may play in substance use and recovery.Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions 07/2010; 10(3):257-282.
