Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

Alcohol And Cannabis Use For Pain Management: Translational Findings Of Relative Risks, Benefits, And Interactions, Sumin Lee, Scott Edwards

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Chronic pain affects over 20% of the global population and contributes to the vast burden of psychiatric illness. While effective treatments for chronic pain remain limited, both alcohol and cannabis have been used for centuries to manage pain and closely associated negative affective symptoms. However, persistent misuse of alcohol and/or cannabis in such a negative reinforcement fashion is hypothesized to increase the risk of severity of substance use disorders (SUDs). The current review describes neurobiological evidence for the analgesic efficacy of alcohol and primary cannabis constituents and how use or co-use of these substances may influence SUD risk.

Accuracy Of Task-Based Electrocorticography Brain Mapping And Relationships With Postoperative Cognitive-Linguistic Changes Following Eloquent Glioma Resection, Kyle R. Noll, Israt Tasnim, Priscella Asman, Katherine Connelly, Chandra Swamy, Matthew Muir, Mathew Hall, Jeffrey Wefel, Sahil Bajaj, Giuseppe Pellizzer, Nuri F. Ince, Suji S. Prabhu

Cancer Survivorship Research Retreat

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 2025 Cancer Survivorship Research Retreat

Long-Acting Injectables: A Strategy To Mitigate Nonadherence In Bipolar Disorder, Justin Faden, Elina Maymind

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

No abstract provided.

Breaking Down The Choice: Exploring The Journey Of Decisions, Alex Kim

CAFE Symposium 2025

This project explores the decision-making process by examining how various regions of the brain contribute to choices and their outcomes. By analyzing the interplay between cognitive and emotional factors, it aims to provide insights into how individuals can make decisions that align with their goals and values, reducing regret and enhancing overall happiness. The findings offer practical strategies for improving personal and professional decision-making.

Otolaryngology Practitioner Attitudes Toward Human Papillomavirus Vaccination In Academic Otolaryngology Clinics, Dante J. Merlino, Katelyn S. Rourk, George B. Sankar, Adam J. Luginbuhl, Brian J. Boyce, Michelle M. Chen, Eric M. Dowling, Michael C. Topf, Raymond L. Chai, Karthik Rajasekaran, Eric J. Moore, Daniel L. Price, George Saieed, Kathryn M. Van Abel

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

Despite the existence of a highly effective and safe vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, vaccination rates remain low. The most prevalent HPV-associated malignancy in the United States is oropharyngeal cancer, but otolaryngology practitioners do not offer the HPV vaccine, and their feelings around offering HPV vaccination have not been evaluated. A 43-question survey, including a twelve-question knowledge quiz, was sent to otolaryngology practitioners at seven academic institutions. Twelve questions comprised a knowledge quiz testing practitioner understanding of HPV, while the remainder of the questions evaluated comfort with and likelihood of recommending vaccination. Of the 442 practitioners who were sent …

Probing For Intentions: The Early Readiness Potential Does Not Reflect Awareness Of Motor Preparation, Jake Gavenas, Aaron Schurger, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Voluntary actions are typically preceded by the readiness potential (RP), a negative midfrontal electroencephalography (EEG) deflection that begins ~2 s before movement. What cognitive and neural process the RP reflects and how it relates to conscious intention remain unclear due to conflicting findings. We investigated the neural basis and cognitive significance of the RP in a novel probe-based paradigm. Contrary to prior reports, we found that pre-probe RP buildups were not related to reported awareness of motor preparation. Computational modeling suggested that the best explanation for these results is via metacognitive access to stochastic accumulation. Reported preparation was also related …

Ethnic Disparities In Hba1c And Hypoglycemia Among Youth With Type 1 Diabetes: Beyond Access To Technology, Social Deprivation And Mean Blood Glucose, J. Pemberton, Zhide Fang, Stuart Chalew, S. Uday

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Introduction The UK national pediatric diabetes audit reports higher HbA1c for children and young people (CYP) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) of Black ethnicity compared with White counterparts. This is presumably related to higher mean blood glucose (MBG) due to lower socioeconomic status (SES) and less access to technology. We aimed to determine if HbA1c ethnic disparity persists after accounting for the above variables. Research design and methods A retrospective analysis of participants who received structured education in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) use was conducted at a tertiary center. HbA1c was paired with glucose metrics from 90-day CGM data. The …

Fos Expression In The Periaqueductal Gray, But Not The Ventromedial Hypothalamus, Is Correlated With Psychosocial Stress-Induced Cocaine-Seeking Behavior In Rats, Nicole M Hinds, Ireneusz D Wojtas, Desta M Pulley, Stephany J Mcdonald, Colton D Spencer, Milena Sudarikov, Nicole E Hubbard, Colin M Kulick-Soper, Samantha De Guzman, Sara Hayden, Jessica J Debski, Bianca Patel, Douglas P Fox, Daniel F Manvich

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Psychosocial stressors are known to promote cocaine craving and relapse in humans but are infrequently employed in preclinical relapse models. Consequently, the underlying neural circuitry by which these stressors drive cocaine seeking has not been thoroughly explored. Using Fos expression analyses, we sought to examine whether the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) or periaqueductal gray (PAG), two critical components of the brain's hypothalamic defense system, are activated during psychosocial stress-induced cocaine seeking. Adult male and female rats self-administered cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/inf IV, fixed-ratio 1 schedule, 2 h/session) over 20 sessions. On sessions 11, 14, 17, and 20, a tactile cue was present …

Training Of Administrative Chief Residents: Report Of The Association Of Program Directors In Surgery Chief Resident Workshop, Katharine Caldwell, Dakota Thompson, Jasmine Walker, Threshia Malcom, David Faber, Jahnavi Srinivasan, Julia Shelton, Jasmeet Paul

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Surgical administrative chief residents (ACRs) play essential roles in residency training programs, including resident advocates, conflict negotiators, and scheduling managers. Despite their varied and important jobs, surgical ACRs receive very little training or introduction to the role.

DESIGN: We describe here the creation and implementation of an Administrative Chief Resident Workshop developed for the Association of Program Directors in Surgery (APDS) to familiarize chief residents with their roles in scheduling and conflict negotiation.

SETTING: The workshop was implemented at the National APDS Meeting in 2024.

PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 65 rising ACRs from residency programs across the United Status.

RESULTS: …

Assessment, Decision, Adaptation, Production, Topical Experts-Integration, Training, And Testing (Adapt-Itt) Framework To Tailor Evidence-Based Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment For People With Hiv To Enhance Engagement And Adherence: Qualitative Results From A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial, Cristina M. Lopez, Angela D. Moreland, Stephanie Amaya, Erin Bisca, Christin Mujica, Tayler Wilson, Nathaniel Baker, Lauren Richey, Allison Ross Eckard, Patricia A. Resick, Steven A. Safren, Carla Kmett Danielson

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Individuals with co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and HIV are at high-risk for negative HIV-related outcomes, including low adherence to antiretroviral therapy, faster disease progression, more hospitalizations, and almost twice the rate of death. Despite high rates of PTSD in persons with HIV (PWH) and poor HIV-related health outcomes associated with PTSD, an effective evidence-based treatment for PTSD symptoms in PWH does not exist. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the adaptation and theater testing of an evidence-based intervention designed for people with co-occurring PTSD and HIV. METHODS: The Assessment, Decision, Adaptation, Production, Topical experts-integration, Training, and Testing (ADAPT-ITT) …

Empirically Validating A Computational Model Of Automatic Behavior Shaping, Vincent Berardi, Tian Lan, Ariane Guirguis, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Mobile sensing technology allows automated behavior shaping routines to be incorporated into health behavior interventions and other settings. In previous work, a computational model was built to investigate how to best arrange automatic behavior shaping procedures, but the degree to which this model reflects actual human behavior is not known.

Purpose

To translate a previously developed computational model of automatic behavior shaping into an experimental setting.

Methods

Participants (n = 54) operated a computer mouse and attempted to locate a hidden, randomly-placed target circle on a blank computer screen and clicks within some threshold distance of the target …

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Healing Through Storytelling And Mindful Narrative Therapy, Julie Kemp

Mindfulness Studies Theses

This study presents research about the nature and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), the mental and physical impacts to individuals exposed to ACEs, and incorporating mindfulness practices into therapeutic approaches to treating them, particularly Mindfulness-Based Narrative Therapy (MBNT). It is important because ACEs have become a global crisis, with the potential for interfering with psychological and physical development, early mortality, and other harmful life outcomes. This thesis provides critical information for mindfulness teachers and practitioners, therapists, educators, regulators, parents, and individuals subjected to ACEs.

The methodology includes extensive literature searches for narrative therapy and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in peer-reviewed …

The Impact Of Self-Management Programming On Gifted Student Perceptions Of Sleep In A Residential Setting, Katie Berger

Staff Publications & Research

Insufficient sleep among high school students has become a pressing concern for its detrimental effects on academic performance, physical health, and mental wellness. This concern is amplified for students living away from their parents in a boarding school setting. The purpose of this action research study was to investigate and improve the sleep experience of gifted secondary students who live with their peers in a residential setting. Two cycles of data collection occurred. Participants in Cycle 1 were gifted secondary students who were enrolled at a residential school, as well as counselors and residential staff employed at the same institution. …

Description Of Implementing A Mail-Based Overdose Education And Naloxone Distribution Program In Community Supervision Settings During Covid-19, Carrie B. Oser, Margaret Louise Mcgladrey, Douglas Oyler, Hannah K. Knudsen, Sharon L. Walsh, Susannah Stitzer, Michael Goetz, Marisa Booty, Erica Hargis, Sarah Johnson, Michele Staton, Patricia R. Freeman

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Introduction: This study uses the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation , and Sustainment (EPIS) model to retrospectively describe the mail-based overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) program developed in collaboration with the Kentucky Department of Corrections (DOC) for use in the HEALing Communities Study in Kentucky (HCS-KY) and details the reach of this innovative delivery model.

Methods: HCS-KY is a community-engaged cluster-randomized trial assessing the effects of implementing evidence-based practices, including OEND, on overdose death reduction across 16 communities highly impacted by the opioid epidemic in Kentucky. ⁶ The study launch coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. All coalitions in the 16 HCS-KY …

Representative National Survey On Drug Use During The Covid-19 Stay-At-Home Order In The Usa, Soo-Hoon Lee, Bernadette Cullen, Alidon Athey, Calliope Holingue, Michelle R. Kaufman, Paul Nestadt, Jack Samuels, Tracy Vannorsdall, Phillip Phan

Management Faculty Publications

Objectives This study explores the drug use behaviour in the US general population in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on the relationship between sociopsychological factors, mobility restrictions from March to June 2020 and mental health conditions.

Design A retrospective anonymous online survey representing a cross-section of the US population in 2020.

Setting A qualified panel of 500 000 Qualtrics participants stratified by gender, race, age and geographical region to represent the US population.

Participants 3340 participants voluntarily consented to respond.

Measures Outcome measure for illicit and non-medical use of prescription drugs based on the National …

Resilience And Reality: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic – A Qualitative Study., Ahmed F. Alanazi

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. The research examined the intersection of health, social dynamics, and psychological resilience among PLWH, who faced compounded vulnerabilities due to systemic inequities and the dual public health crises of HIV and COVID-19. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from diverse backgrounds, the study captured the profound impacts of disrupted healthcare systems, heightened stigma, and social isolation on this marginalized population. The findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities …

Neural Correlates Of Attentional Biases In Dietary Choice: Role Of Childhood Socioeconomic Status, Justine Jamie N. Gotico

CMC Senior Theses

Childhood poverty has been shown to increase adult risk for obesity above and beyond its direct effects on adult socioeconomic status (SES). One proposed mechanism of these effects is by shifting behavioral patterns of dietary consumption and choice, for example by increasing rapid attention to high-calorie unhealthy foods. Yet, whether such neural mechanisms can explain observed differences in dietary behavior based on childhood SES remains an open question. Here we used event-related potentials (ERPs) to examine early attentional correlates of low childhood SES during a dietary choice task, based on research suggesting that early attentional biases toward high-calorie foods emerge …

Brain On Drugs: The Rewarding And Punishing Effects Of Addiction And Relapse, Abby Ferrell

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Addiction is a multidimensional disorder that is heavily influenced by behavior, biology, and social interaction. These factors work together to make addiction persist and make relapse easier. Three major models of addiction are explored--behaviorism, biology, and social learning theory, which all contribute to the understanding of addiction, and their respective treatments can be individual, and when integrated. Behavior models highlight how conditioning and reinforcement contribute to addiction, while biological studies focus on dopamine changes in the brain that alter other areas of brain chemistry. Social learning theories add to the environmental cue associations that behaviorism mentions briefly. The implications that …

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Depression And Subjective Cognitive Decline By Gender: A Moderated Mediation Analysis, Monique J. Brown, Darlingtina K. Esiaka, Jaya Viswanathan

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Studies assessing depression as a mediating factor between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) are lacking. Therefore, the aims of this study were to: (1) determine the mediating role of depression in the association between ACEs and SCD; and (2) assess the moderating role of gender. Data were obtained from the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Study (BRFSS) survey (N = 38,600). Crude and adjusted path analyses were used to determine the mediating role of depression between ACEs and SCD. Adjusted analyses controlled for sociodemographic confounders. ACEs were positively associated with depression (B = 0.129, p …

Commercial Tobacco Retail Marketing In Rural Communities In Appalachian Kentucky, 2024, Saber Feizy, Judy Van De Venne, Melissa Abadi, W. Jay Christian, Jayani Jayawardhana, Bethany Shorey Fennell, Delvon T. Mattingly, Shyanika W. Rose

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Objective: To investigate heterogeneous commercial tobacco marketing patterns across rurality gradient.

Methods: We conducted audits in all retail stores (n = 279) selling at least one commercial tobacco/nicotine product in eight U.S. Appalachian Kentucky counties in 2024, comprising rural and peri-urban catchments. Trained auditors assessed product availability, discounts, and advertising. Stores were linked to census tract demographics and Index of Relative Rurality (IRR) quartiles. Poisson models assessed prevalence rates of exterior and interior ads and discounts for cigarettes, nicotine vapes, and nicotine pouches (ONP) by IRR quartiles.

Results: Most stores carried cigarettes, cigarillos, and smokeless products, and over 50 % …

Differential Speed And Accuracy Trade-Off In Working Memory Retrieval And Bilateral Precuneus Between Older Men And Women, Darlingtina K. Esiaka, Stephanie Strothkamp, Aghayeeabianeh Banafsheh, Lucas S. Broster, David K. Powell, Gregory Jicha, Yang Jiang

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Background

Despite various hypotheses, including differences in longevity, hormones, genetics, and neuroanatomy, the reasons for the higher prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in older women compared to men remain unclear. Emerging evidence suggests that the precuneus, a key region of the default mode network, is linked to internally focused processes like memory retrieval. We examined the relationship between precuneus volumes and task performance (accuracy and reaction time) during working memory retrievals in cognitively normal older adults.

Method

A cohort of older participants (N = 45; 25 women; M_age = 77) from the University of Kentucky Alzheimer's Disease Research Center …

Disparities In Discrimination Distress Among U.S. Youth, Delvon T. Mattingly, Meman Diaby, Osayande Agbonlahor, Shyanika W. Rose, Carrie B. Oser, Nancy L. Fleischer, Adam M. Leventhal, Joy L. Hart

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Introduction

Racial and ethnic discrimination differentially affects youth in the U.S. However, evidence of U.S. youth discriminatory experiences at the national level is scant.

Methods

Using data from the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey on youth aged ≥9 years (N=22,069), the authors used the 15-item Adolescent Discrimination Distress Index to create a binary indicator of any discrimination and mean summary scale (i.e., overall) and subscales (i.e., educational, institutional, and peer) representing frequencies of distress. The authors estimated the distribution of each discrimination measure overall and examined differences by the intersection of gender, race, and ethnicity.

Results

More than half the …

Disparities In Use Modalities Among Adults Who Currently Use Cannabis, 2022–2023, Meman Diaby, Osayande Agbonlahor, Bethany Shorey Fennell, Joy L. Hart, Delvon T. Mattingly

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Purpose

Following the legalization of cannabis in several U.S. states, the cannabis market has expanded, leading to a wider range of products including smoked, edible, and vape products which have variable health effects. This proliferation highlights the need for more research on patterns of current cannabis use among U.S. adults.

Methods

We used combined data on adults who currently use (i.e., past 30-day use) cannabis (n = 16,999) from the 2022 and 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. We analyzed whether seven cannabis use modalities including smoking, vaping, dabbing, consuming edibles, taking pills, applying topicals, and absorbing …

Examining The Relationship Between Racial, Ethnic, And Economic Residential Segregation And Cigarette Smoking Among A Nationally Representative Sample Of Young Adults, Shyanika W. Rose, Mary Kay Rayens, Mona Azadi, Elexis C. Kierstead, Amanda Y. Kong, Kimberly Horn

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Introduction

Predominantly Black, Hispanic or Latino, and lower-income communities are overexposed to tobacco. This study investigated the relationship between cigarette smoking and racial/ethnic and economic segregation using the Index of Concentration at the Extremes (ICE). Aims and Methods

A nationally representative sample of 4091 (aged 18–34 years) was surveyed between September and October 2016. We calculated census-tract population estimates to form ICE measures for ethnicity, race, income, ethnicity and income, and race and income. Quintiles were determined, with Quintile 1 (Q1) representing the most Hispanic/Latino, Black, and lowest-income neighborhoods and Q5 representing the most non-Hispanic/Latino, White, and highest-income neighborhoods. State …

Forgiveness Of Self And Others: A Group Approach To The Treatment Of Ptsd And Other Trauma Related Experiences, Jarrod A. Mask

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Forgiveness is often misinterpreted as the act of forgetting what happened or offering one’s offender the ability to redeem themselves for their wrongdoings. This is simply not the case. Rather, forgiveness is the process of the individual making the unprovoked choice to release their resentment in their own voyage towards living a free and happy life without being imprisoned from the emotions un-forgiveness produces. Forgiveness, as it may be a necessary process for the individual is to attain a sense of peaceful acceptance and liberation from their pain, is not an easy process. Providing a peer-based support system in the …

Investigating The Role Of Dynamic Signaling Of Nrg3-Erbb4 In The Prefrontal Cortex In Mediating Nicotine Withdrawal Phenotypes, Emily Prantzalos

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

While several pharmacotherapies are currently available for nicotine use disorder (NUD), smoking cessation success rates remain below 10% each year. The molecular mechanisms underlying failed quit attempts continue to represent a critical gap in our knowledge. However, recent advances in understanding the genetic contributions to nicotine dependence offer a promising avenue for developing more effective cessation therapies. Prior research has identified genetic variation in Neuregulin 3 (Nrg3) and its cognate receptor ErbB4 as potential contributors to affective nicotine withdrawal (WD) phenotypes and cessation outcomes. Therefore, this dissertation aims to systematically investigate the region-specific, functional role of the Neuregulin Signaling Pathway …

Early Adversity, Impulsivity, And Health Behaviors, Amy Lynn Meadows

Theses and Dissertations--Clinical and Translational Science

Childhood trauma and early adversity are associated with a variety of negative health outcomes, some of which may be mediated by changes to impulsivity as described by the cumulative risk model. The purpose of this project is to provide insight into the effects of cumulative adverse childhood experience on impulsivity in various populations. Three studies examine the effects of early adversity on impulsivity in normal volunteers, parents caring for a child with medical needs, and in patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes with data collected through crowdsourcing. The strongest effects for early adversity on impulsivity were seen in the patients with …

An Investigation Of The Physiological And Behavioral Correlates Of Mental Imagery, Matthew Daniel Carroll

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Many conventional theories hold mental imagery to be fundamental to self-regulation. Recently, a current of research into mental imagery has developed, with the terms anaurelia and aphantasia being coined for the inability to experience, respectively, auditory and visual thought content, yet little is known about the impact that such individual differences have on persons’ lives. The present experiment was performed in order to test the hypotheses that self-regulation and mental imagery positively correlate and that mental imagery mediates the correlation of resting heart-rate variability and self-regulation. Self-regulation was measured via a self-report questionnaire (the Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire), as was mental …

Parental Monitoring, Latine Emerging Adult Marijuana And Alcohol Initiation, And The Relationship It Has With Marianismo And Machismo, Paola F. Ojeda

Scripps Senior Theses

The study aimed to expand the research on Latine adolescent alcohol and marijuana initiation in regard to their parent’s monitoring habits. The study investigated if parental monitoring affects the initiation of alcohol and marijuana for their adolescents. It also investigated if traditional gender roles in Latine households such as marianismo and machismo moderated the relationship. This study examined parental monitoring through asking participants about their parents monitoring habits and parents control habits during their adolescence. It also investigated Latine young adults’ substance use initiation. This study was conducted through a Qualtrics survey administered through Prolific with multiple subsections that pertain …

Analysis Of Facilitators Of And Barriers To Enactment Of State Regulation Of Indoor Tanning By Minors, Carolyn J. Heckman, Anna Mitarotondo, David B. Buller, Julia Berteletti, Kevin Schroth, Jerod L. Stapleton, Robert P. Dellavalle

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Background: Indoor tanning (IT) causes skin cancers, including potentially deadly melanoma. IT often starts during youth, a critical time for deleterious skin damage. About half of the US states have enacted laws banning IT for minors under age 18.

Purpose: This study reports qualitative findings from interviews with key informants (KIs) involved in IT legislative efforts to identify/describe factors influencing law enactment, based on the multiple streams framework.

Methods: Guided by expert advisors and using snowball-sampling, KIs from 16 states with most recently enacted IT laws regulating minor access and states without restrictions were contacted. In virtual interviews, KIs shared …