Diversity News

 

Department of Psychology Faculty Activities Related to Diversity 2010 - 2013

Representative Diversity-Related Service Activities

Faculty and staff in psychology are actively involved with service-related activities at the university and in the broader community. The following are representative committees or service work in which we have a hand:

  • Safe Zone Training was held April 10, 2013 (Dr. Stacey Williams)
  • Civility Week 2013 (March-April 2013 - Multiple departmental faculty participated)
  • "A Diverse ETSU" program was held February 2013 to welcome potential future faculty of color (Dr. Andi Clements)
  • ETSU Black Faculty and Staff Association (Dr. Chris Dula is a member)
  • ETSU Race Relations Dialogue Task Force (Dr. Chris Dula served as member between Fall 2008-Spring 2011)
  • ETSU Safe Zone Training (Dr. Stacey Williams serves as co-leader of trainings conducted annually to educate and enhance campus climate regarding LGBT acceptance)
  • ETSU Women's Studies Steering Commtitee (Dr. Stacey Williams currently serves as member)
  • Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps at Bristol Motor Speedway, (Multiple psychology faculty and students participated, Spring 2012)
  • University Planning Diversity Component Work Group (Dr. Chris Dula serves as member at the request of Dr. Bert Bach)
  • PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
    • Dr. Kerry Holland - co-Founder of Tri-Cities chapter, past President
    • Dr. Stacey Williams – past Member at Large, Education Committee, Outreach.

Representative Diversity-Related Teaching Activities

  • Dr. Andi Clements designed and taught Psychological Aspects of Humanitarian Aid in Scotland and England (PSYC 4077) in Summer 2012 & Summer 2013. The course consisted of aid fieldwork with low income families in Scotland, learning from (and about) aid endeavors in South Africa and Uganda from South Africans and Ugandans. Materials covered included global health and mental health issues and ways to address them.
  • Dr. Melissa Schrift teaches course on cultural and anthropologic applications related to mental health in rural Appalachia (PSYC 7500)
  • Dr. Stacey Williams teaches a course on the Psychology of Diversity (PSYC 7770) for graduate students which is a required course in the PhD curriculum
  • Dr. Dixon served as preceptor for McNair Program (2011/2012)
  • Dr. Dalton teaches Rural Case Oriented Learning and Preceptorship (PSYC 6600). The general purpose of this course is to provide students with increased knowledge and experiential learning opportunities in rural behavioral health practice.

Representative Publications that Include Diversity (ETSU faculty and students in bold):

Allen, S., Dalton, W. T., III, & Polaha, J. (2011). The relation between weight and psychosocial concerns among youth presenting in rural pediatric primary care. Rural Mental Health Journal, 35, 4-9.

Carlosh, K., Allen, S., Dalton, W. T., III, & Bailey, B. A. (2011).Weight concern, body image, and compensatory behaviors in rural pregnant smokers: A preliminary investigation. Rural Mental Health Journal, 35, 17-22.

Chang, E.C., Downey, C.A., Hirsch, J.K., & Lin, N.  (Editors).  (Revise & Resubmit).  Positive Psychology in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups: Theory, Research, Assessment, and Practice.  American Psychological Association.

Chang, E.C., Hirsch, J.K., Sanna, L., Jeglic, E.L., Fabian, C.G.  (2011).  A preliminary study of perfectionism and loneliness as predictors of depressive and anxious symptoms in Latinas: A top down test of a model.  Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58(3), 441-448. doi: 10.1037/a0023255

Chang, E.C., Sanna, L., Hirsch, J.K., & Jeglic, E.L.  (2011).  Loneliness and negative life events as predictors of hopelessness and suicidal behaviors in Hispanics: Evidence for a diathesis-stress model.  Journal of Clinical Psychology, 66(12), 1242-1253.  doi: 10.1002/jclp.20721

Clements, A. D., & Ermakova, A. V. (2012). Surrender to God and stress: A possible link between religiosity and health. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 4, 93-107. doi:10.1037/a0025109

Clements, A. D. (2012). Home school programs. In Hattie, J. & Anderman, E. (eds.) International Handbook of Student Achievement. Florence, KY: Routledge Publishers.

Correll, J. A., Cantrell, P., & Dalton, W. T., III. (2012). Integration of behavioral health services in a primary care clinic serving rural Appalachia: Reflections on a clinical experience. Families, Systems, and Health, 29, 291-302.  

Dalton, W. T., III, Schetzina, K., E., Pfortmiller, D. T., Slawson, D. L., & Frye, W. S. (2011).  Health behaviors and health-related quality of life among middle school children in Southern Appalachia: Data from the Winning with Wellness project. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 36, 677-686. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsq108

Ellis, J. (2012). Reasons for living and the elderly. Manuscript submitted for publication. Ellis, J. (2012).  Stress management for nursing home health professionals. DVD, Extended Care Products.

Fekete, E.M., Deichert, N. T., & Williams, S. L. (under review). Ethnicity, HIV-specific unsupportive social interactions, and health in men living with HIV.

Fekete, E., & Williams, S. L. (2012). Chronic disease. In S. Loue & M. Sajatovic (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Immigrant Health. New York: Springer.

Gaines, S., Williams, S. L., & Mickelson, K. D. (in press). Communication in culturally diverse families. In A. Vangilisti, The Handbook of Family Communication, 2nd Edition.

Hatfield, J.P., Hirsch, J.K., & Lyness, J.M.  (In Press).  Functional impairment, illness burden, and depressive symptoms in older adults: Does type of social support matter?  International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.  doi: 10.1002/gps.3808

Hirsch, J.K., Chang, E.C., & Jeglic, E.L. (In Press). Social problem solving and suicide ideation and attempts: Ethnic differences in the moderating effects of loneliness and life stress.  Archives of Suicide Research.

Hirsch, J.K., Visser, P.L., Chang, E.C., & Jeglic, E.L.  (2012).  Race and ethnic differences in hope and hopelessness as moderators of the association between depressive symptoms and suicidal behavior.  Journal of American College Health, 60(2), 115-125.  doi: 10.1080/07448481.2011.567402

Hirsch, J.K., Walker, K.L., Chang, E.C., & Lyness, J.M.  (In Press).  Illness burden and symptoms of anxiety in older adults: Optimism and pessimism as moderators.  International Psychogeriatrics.   doi:10.1017/S1041610212000762

Hirsch, J.K., Webb, J.R., & Jeglic, E.L.  (2011).  Forgiveness, depression, and suicidal behavior among a diverse sample of college students.  Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67 (9), 896-906.  doi: 10.1002/jclp.20812

Holt, N., Schetzina, K. E., Dalton, W. T., III, Tudiver, F., Fulton-Robinson, H., & Wu, T. (2011). Primary care practice addressing child overweight and obesity: A survey of primary care physicians at four clinics in Southern Appalachia. Southern Medical Journal, 104, 14-19. doi:10.1097/SMJ.0b013e3181fc968a

Hutsell, D. W., & Williams, S. L. (under review). Intragroup attitudes of the LGBT community: Assessment and correlates.

Jackson, P. B., Williams, D. R., Stein, D. J., Herman, A., Williams, S. L., & Redmond, D. L. (2010). Race and psychological distress: The South African Stress and Health Study. Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

Martin, B. A., & Dula, C. S. (2010). More than skin deep: Perceptions of and stigma against tattoos. College Student Journal, 44(1), 200-206.

McBee, M., Shaunessey, E., & Matthews, M. S., & (in press). Policy matters: An analysis of district-level efforts to increase the identification of underrepresented learners. Journal for Advanced Academics.

McBee, M.(2010). Examining the probability of identification for gifted programs for students in Georgia elementary schools: A multilevel path analysis study.  Gifted Child Quarterly, 54, 283-297.

Polaha, J., Dalton, W. T., III, & Allen, S. (2011). The prevalence of emotional and behavior problems in pediatric primary care serving rural children. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 36, 652-660. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsq116

Schetzina, K. E., Dalton, W. T., III, Pfortmiller, D. T., Fulton-Robinson, H., Lowe, E. F., & Stern, H. P. (2011). The Winning with Wellness pilot project: Rural Appalachian elementary student physical activity and eating behaviors and program implementation four years later. Family and Community Health, 34, 154-162.

Webb, J. R., Phillips, T. D., Bumgarner, D., & Conway-Williams, E.  (2012, June 22). Forgiveness, mindfulness, and health.  Mindfulness. Advance online publication.  doi: 10.1007/s12671-012-0119-0

Webb, J. R., Hill, S. K., & Brewer, K. (2012). Dimensions of social support as mediators of The forgiveness–alcohol outcome relationship.  Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment, 11(2), 64-75. doi: 10.1097/ADT.0b013e31822dcd56

Webb, J. R., Toussaint, L., & Conway-Williams, E. (2012). Forgiveness and health: Psycho-Spiritual integration and the promotion of better healthcare.  Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 18, 57-73. doi: 10.1080/08854726.2012.667317

Webb, J. R., Dula, C. S., & Brewer, K. (2012). Forgiveness and aggression among college students. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 14(1), 38-58.  doi: 10.1080/19349637.2012.642669

Toussaint, L., Webb, J. R., & Keltner, W. (2012).  Religion, spirituality, and mental health. In J. D. Aten, K. A. O'Grady, & E. L. Worthington, Jr. (Eds.), The psychology of religion and spirituality for clinicians: Using research in your practice (pp. 331–356). NY: Routledge.

Williams, S. L., Chandler, S., & Hutsell, D.W. (under review). A paradox of perceived stigma, support seeking, and support response among sexual minorities.

Representative Presentations that Included Diversity (ETSU faculty and students in bold)

Bickel, S., & Stinson, J.D. (2011, October).  Risk assessment:  Interpreting and clinical practice.  18th Annual Missouri Interpreters Conference, Osage Beach, Missouri.

Bickel, S., & Stinson, J.D. (2012, July).  Risk assessment:  Interpreting and clinical practice.  Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Region III.  Lisle, Illinois.

Caldwell, J., & Clements, A. D. (2011, March). Looking up: Surrender and church attendance across racial groups in Southern Appalachia. Poster presented at the Appalachian Student Research Forum, Johnson City, TN.

Carroll, V. A., Dalton, W. T., III, Dixon, W. E., Jr., & Schetzina, K. E. (2012, April). Family context and weight status among 18-month-old infants in Southern Appalachia. Symposium conducted at the Boland Undergraduate Student Research Symposium, Johnson City, TN.

Chandler, S. & Williams, S. L. (June, 2012). Self-compassion, perceived stigma, and support seeking among sexual minorities. Poster presented at the Society of the Psychological Study of Social Issues' (SPSSI). Charlotte, NC.

Clements, A. D., Ermakova, A. V., & Bailey, B. A. (April, 2012). Religious commitment predicts lower incidence of preterm birth in rural Appalachian women. Poster presented at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, New Orleans, LA.

Deitz, M.F., Chandler, S., & Williams, S.L. (2012, April). An integrated cultural, social, and self model of sexual assault and trauma symptom severity. Presented at the 2nd Annual Collaborative Conference on Rural Mental Health: Looking to the Future of the Rural Mental Health Care. Boone, NC.

Deitz, M., & Williams, S. L. (November, 2010). Multiple traumas and psychiatric disorders in South Africa. Poster presented at at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Montreal, Quebec.

Dickson, A.D., & Williams, S.L. (2012, April).Examining differences in stress symptoms based on sexual orientation. Poster presented at the Appalachia Student Research Forum, Johnson City, TN.   

Dula, C.S., & McCallister, L. (2012, May). Studying diversity across a statewide university/community college system: Data-driven recommendations for higher education. Poster presented at the 24th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.

Ermakova, A. V., Clements, A. D., & Bailey, B. A. (April, 2012). Religious Commitment as a predictor of decreased blood pressure in high-risk pregnancies of Southern Appalachia. Poster presented at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, New Orleans, LA.

Fletcher, T. R., Clements, A. D., Bailey, B., & McGrady, L. (2012, April). Religious surrender and attendance scale predicts prenatal depression. Poster presented at the Appalachian Student Research Forum, Johnson City, TN.

Herringshaw, A.J., Chang, E.C., Perera, M.J., Issa, A.M., Lin, N.J., Sanna, L., Hirsch, J., & Jeglic, E.L.  (2011). Loneliness and negative life events as predictors of hopelessness and suicidal behaviors in Latinos: Evidence for a diathesis stress model.  Presentation at the 45th annual conference of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Toronto, ON, CA.

Hutsell, D. W., Chandler, S. L., Lund, B. K., & Williams, S. L. (June, 2012). Attitudes towards bisexuality and correlates. Poster presented at the Society of the Psychological Study of Social Issues' (SPSSI). Charlotte, NC.

Jeter, B.R., Walker, K.L., Sirois, F.M., & Hirsch, J.K. (2012).  Hope as a moderator of stress and depression among patients with multiple sclerosis. Presentation at 24th annual conference of the Association of Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.  Presentation granted an APSSC RiSE Research Award.

McCallister, L.A., & Dula, C.S. (2012, April). Methodology used to examine racial and cultural diversity issues in community colleges. Paper presented at the Tennessee Board of Regents Office of Academic Affairs 2nd Biennial Research Day. Nashville, TN.

McCook, J., Williams, S. L., Anand, S., Bailey, B., & Thatcher, S. (October, 2011). Risk factors for psychological distress and impaired quality of life in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Nursing Care. Paper presented at the biennial meeting of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society for Nursing.

Phillipe, J. P., Luther, B. L., Gibson, B. W., & Dula, C. S. (2012, April). Who can't let it go and who goes too far? Examining effects of sex and rumination on aggression. Poster presented at the annual Appalachian Student Research Forum. Johnson City, TN.

Standley, C., Gibson, B. W., Oatts, S., & Dula, C. S. (2012, April). Aren't women drivers just awful? Oh wait, it's men! Sex Differences in Dangerous Driving. Poster presented at the annual Appalachian Student Research Forum. Johnson City, TN.

Dula, C. S., & McCallister, L. (2011, May). Examining diversity across a statewide university system: Data-Driven recommendations for higher education. Poster presented at the 23rd Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.

Frye, W., Dalton, W., Schetzina, K., Pfortmiller, D., & Slawson, D. (2010, November). Health behaviors as related to quality of life among middle school children in Southern Appalachia: Data from the Winning With Wellness project. Poster session presented at the 44th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, San Francisco, CA.

Gibson, B. W., Jackson, H. M., Shults, L. S., Fox., R. T., & Dula, C. S. (2011, February). Investigating church attendance, family conflict, and extracurricular activities in connection with academic achievement. Paper presented at the annual Mid-South Psychology Conference. Memphis, TN.

Holland, K. (2011, 2012). Invisible diversity: Culturally competent medical care of LGBT patients. Presentation given to second year medical students at the Quillen College of Medicine.

Jackson, H.M., Gibson, B. W., Fox, R. T., & Dula, C. S. (2011, April). The effect of parental education on family conflict, Academic Self-Efficacy, and Academic Achievement. Poster presented at the Spring 2011 Meeting of the Middle Tennessee Psychological Association. Murfreesboro, TN.

McBee, M., Matthews, M., & Shaunessey, E. (2011, April). One state's policies for identifying diverse gifted learners: An analysis of district policies. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, LA.

McCallister, L. A., & Dula, C. S. (2010, April). Examining the campus racial climate and its effect on student persistence and success. Paper presented at the third biennial Tennessee Board of Regents Diversity Conference. Nashville, TN.

Smith, J., Carroll, V. A., Dalton, W. T., III, & Schetzina, K. (2011, October). Self-efficacy for physical activity and health-related quality of life in middle school children in southern Appalachia: Data from the Winning With Wellness project. Poster session presented at the the meeting of the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, Philadelphia, PA.

Stinson, J. D. (2012, May).  Sex offenders:  Criminality and characteristics of special populations. Keynote address. South Dakota Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, Annual Conference.  Sioux Falls, SD.

Tasker, W., & Ellis, J. (2012, October). Aging, the final therapeutic frontier: Geriatric treatment, Accepted for presentation at themeeting of the American Psychotherapy Association, Las Vegas, NV.

Taylor, D. A., Martin, B. A., Bowling, J. R., & Dula, C. S. (2010, March). God is my co-pilot: Relationships between fundamentalism, spirituality, religiosity, and dangerous driving. Poster presented at the Georgia Undergraduate Research in Psychology Conference. Kennesaw, GA.

Turner, J. H., Correll, J. A., Carlosh, K., Bailey, B., & Dalton, W. T., III. (2011, March). Psychosocial risk factors for smoking in pregnant women in rural Appalachia. Poster session presented at the meeting of the Appalachian Student Research Forum, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN.

Walker, K.L., Favre, L., Nsamenang, S.A., Chang, E.C., Jeglic, E.L., & Hirsch, J.K.  (2011).  Ethnic identity as a moderator of the relationship between perfectionism and hopelessness.  Presentation at the 45th annual conference of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Toronto, ON, CA.

Walker, K., Chang, E., Jeglic, E.L., & Hirsch, J.K. (2011). Self-harm and suicidal behaviors in an ethnically diverse college sample: The moderating role of social problem solving ability. Presentation at 44th annual conference of American Association of Suicidology, Portland, OR.

Williams, S. L., & Chandler, S. (June, 2012). Self-compassion: A protective factor against perceived stigma among sexual minorities? Paper presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Charlotte, NC.

Wu, T., Dixon, W.E., Jr., Dalton, W., III, Tudiver, F., & Liu, X. (2010).  Joint effects of child temperament and maternal sensitivity on the development of childhood obesity. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 15, 469-477.

Representative Diversity-Related Clinical Services

  • Dr. Ellis provides clinical services to older and disabled adults in nursing homes in the Tri-Cities, some of which are in very rural areas such as Mountain City, Erwin, Church Hill, etc. He also does custody evaluation for same sex couples, and pro bono and reduced fee clinical services in his private practice.
  • Dr. Dalton serves as a clinical supervisor for 2 clinical psychology doctoral students delivering behavioral health services in pediatric primary care to a variety of underserved families via a clinic rural Southwest Virginia as well as a local clinic.

Representative Diversity-Related Grant Activities

  • Dr. Chris Dula (2010), Co-Prinicipal Investigator: An Examination of Racial and Cultural Diversity Issues in Community Colleges (with Dr. Leslie McCallister, PI) ($64,800).  Tennessee Board of Regents
  • Dr. Dixon, Principle Investigator: National Institute of Child and Human Development, Grant #5R13HD065413-02, "International Conference on Infant Studies – 2010-2014" ($30,000 total costs). The purpose of this NIH R13 grant is to support the travel of underrepresented undergraduate students to attend the biennial International Conference on Infant Studies.
  • Dr. Dalton, Co-Investigator: College Students as Facilitators to Reduce Adolescent Obesity Disparity ($978,000). Funding Source: Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health (NIH); Grant Number: 5R01MD006200-02; (4/11-11/13)
  • Dr. Dalton, Co-Investigator: Tennessee Intervention for Pregnant Smokers ($2,120,000). Tennessee Governor's Office of Children's Care Coordination and the Tennessee Department of Health, (1/07 – 12/12)
  • Dr Hirsch, Graduate Student-Faculty Grant. Suicidal behavior: The role of social problem solving in rural, low-income primary care patients. (2012).Principal Investigator: Walker, K.L.; Faculty Mentor: Hirsch, J.K. Funded by the Office of Graduate Studies, ETSU, $750.00