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Research Roundup: June 2024

It was a busy month for the School of Social Work team. The June roundup includes 11 publications.

Professor of the Practice Allison Metz delivered the opening keynote speech and a workshop for the Collaborating for Impact conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Courtesy Dr. Donna Kernaghan)

Publications

Associate Professor Amy Blank Wilson, Anna Parisi (George Mason University), Kathleen Farkas (Case Western Reserve University), Suzanne Brown (Wayne State University), Melissa Villodas (George Mason University) and Jon Phillips (University of Minnesota Duluth) co-authored “Examining facilitator experiences delivering an intervention to system-involved women with mental illnesses.” The authors examined “facilitator experiences delivering a cognitive behavioral intervention to incarcerated women with mental illnesses,” given that there is a gap in understanding how to incorporate interventions for women with mental illness. The study found that the main challenge for interventions was teaching interpersonal skills, especially “how facilitators worked with participants to identify interpersonal conflicts, and how facilitators fostered discussions of conflict during intervention sessions.” The authors concluded that “Our results highlight the need for future research and interventions that address dynamics at the intersection of interpersonal conflict, gender, and mental illness.”

NCCPSS Program Director Bernice Adjabeng and Associate Professor Lisa de Saxe Zerden co-authored “Assessing the Training for Certified Peer Support Specialists Who Provide Mental Health and Substance Use Services” for The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research. The authors conducted a study to examine the perceptions regarding the effectiveness of the training for the behavioral health system’s peer support workforce and the other training needs that were required for four states (North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee). The majority of respondents stated that there was moderately and highly sufficient coverage for the SAMSHA core competencies, although there were requests for more training for additional treatment approaches, trauma-approach practices and interviewing. The findings “suggest booster training sessions or continuing education opportunities are needed to maintain a robust and well-prepared peer support workforce. States should consider reciprocity agreements to enable the trained workforce to practice across states.”

Assistant Professor Orrin Ware, Tara G. Bautista (Northern Arizona University), Miracle A. Macias Burgos (Northern Arizona University), Veronica D. Rivas (Northern Arizona University), Yesenia Cruz-Carrillo (Arizona State University), Alec Davidson (Northern Arizona University), Mariia Mezhenska (Northern Arizona University), Mariana Sanchez (Florida International University) and Hortensia Amaro (Florida International University) co-authored “Mixed-methods analysis of satisfaction during a 12-session mindfulness-based intervention for women with a substance use disorder and trauma symptomatology” for Frontiers in Psychology. The authors conducted a study of “participant trauma symptom severity and intervention satisfaction” for self-reported surveys from 54 women. They found “that “trouble focusing” appeared more frequently in the high-trauma group than in the low-trauma group during session 2, but the theme was not present in either group at session 11, suggesting that this might pose an initial barrier for individuals with high trauma but subsides as the intervention progresses. This speaks to the importance of retention strategies tailored for participants with SUDs and high trauma while they adjust to the intervention. Assessing initial challenges with satisfaction may help facilitators intervene to increase participant satisfaction.”

Assistant Professor Orrin Ware, Yali Deng (University of Maryland), Jodi J. Frey (University of Maryland), Philip J. Osteen (University of Utah), Amanda Mosby (University of Maryland), Rachel Imboden (University of Denver) and Alicia Bazell (University of Maryland) co-authored “Engaging Law Enforcement Employees in Mental Health Help-Seeking: Examining the Utilization of Interactive Screening Program and Motivational Interviewing Techniques” for Administration and Policy in Mental Health. The authors examined the use of the Interactive Screening Program at law enforcement organizations and studied “how motivational interviewing techniques were associated with various help-seeking outcomes.” Using data from 2013-2019 at four law enforcement workplaces, the authors found that two-thirds of participants were screened at a high distress level of ISP. Of the participants, 53% responded to an initial email from a counselor and 50% of the respondents asked for a referral for additional services. The authors concluded “that the anonymous ISP program can successfully engage employees with high distress levels, including employees with suicidal ideation. Results highlight the importance of customizing ISP counselors’ responses to be responsive for law enforcement employees.”

Assistant Professor Orrin Ware, Research Assistant Professor Brianna Lombardi, Research Associate Professor Tonya Van Deinse, Associate Professor Amy Blank Wilson, Professor Paul Lanier, Kerry A. Lee (Bryn Mawr College), Daniel L. Buccino (Johns Hopkins University), Jamey J. Lister (Rutgers University), Eunsong Park (University of Maryland), Kate Roberts (Bryn Mawr College), Anthony Estreet (National Association of Social Workers), Hannah Neukrug (Richmond Behavioral Health) and Daejun Park (Ohio University) co-authored “Artificial Neural Network Analysis Examining Substance Use Problems Co-Occurring with Anxiety and Depressive Disorders Among Adults Receiving Mental Health Treatment” for Journal of Dual Diagnosis. The authors examined the co-occurrence of anxiety disorders, substance use problems and depressive disorders, using a sample of 2,158,074 individuals whose primary diagnosis was an anxiety or depressive disorder and who were treated at a community mental health center. They found that roughly 30% of the sample had a co-occurring high-risk substance use or substance use disorder. The authors concluded that “Findings from this study highlight the importance of mental health facilities to screen for and provide integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders.”

Associate Professor Lisa de Saxe Zerden, Ph.D. Student Emmanuel Amoako, Assistant Professor Orrin Ware, Tamera D. Hughes (UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy), Alex K. Gertner (UNC Hospitals), Joseph Williams (UNC School of Medicine) and C. Micha Belden (Mountain Area Health Education Center), co-authored “Examining facilitative services for entry into substance use disorder treatment: A cluster analysis of treatment facilities” for PLOS ONE. The authors studied “services to facilitate access to entering substance use disorder (SUD) treatment among a national sample of SUD treatment facilities.” “Among N = 15,788 SUD treatment facilities four distinct clusters were identified: Cluster 1 consisted of for-profit and government outpatient facilities with high proportions of services to reduce barriers (22.2%). Cluster 2, comprised of non-profit outpatient facilities, offered the most comprehensive array of services to minimize barriers to treatment among all four clusters (25.2%). Cluster 3 included facilities with diverse ownership and care levels and provided a moderate to high degree of services aimed at reducing entry barriers to treatment (26.0%). Cluster 4 was primarily for-profit outpatient facilities with a low proportion of these services (26.6%).” The authors concluded that “Differences in cluster distributions point to possible facilitators to treatment access for some persons seeking admission to specific treatment facilities. Efforts should be made to ensure that individuals seeking SUD treatment can access these services, and facilities should be adequately equipped to meet their diverse needs.”

Assistant Professor Orrin Ware, Associate Professor Lisa de Saxe Zerden, Ph.D. Student Danya K. Krueger, Research Assistant Professor Brianna Lombardi and Brooke Lombardi (UNC Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research) co-authored “How would a certification in harm reduction impact service delivery and the harm reduction workforce? A qualitative study” for Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment. The authors examined data on the helpfulness of a harm reduction certification among 168 administrators “within a publicly available syringe services program directory.” They concluded that “Despite varying perceptions on how certification may advance or hinder the field, the sample was unified in their commitment to harm reduction practices and endorsement of its integral role in confronting the U.S. drug use epidemic. This study highlights how certification can impact state and federal harm reduction service delivery and promotes future research on ways to address the needs of harm reduction organizations and their workforce.”

Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development Sheryl Zimmerman, Christine R. Lathren (UNC Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation), Lea Efird-Green (UNC Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research), David Reed (UNC Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research), Krista M. Perreira (UNC School of Medicine), Karen Bluth (UNC School of Medicine) and Philip D. Sloane (UNC Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research) co-authored “The Prevalence and Benefits of Self-Compassion Among Professional Caregivers” for Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. The authors sampled 391 professional caregivers in New York, California, and North Carolina to examine the relationship between self-compassion and caregiver demographic characteristics — including depressive and anxiety symptoms — and overall job satisfaction. “Significant differences were found in self-compassion based on age, race/ethnicity, place of birth, and education. In general, older caregivers, caregivers with higher education, and caregivers born outside the United States had the highest self-compassion, whereas White caregivers had the lowest self-compassion. Self-compassion was negatively associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms and positively associated with job satisfaction.” The authors concluded that “Professional caregivers’ use of self-compassion to cope with challenges may depend on characteristics and life experiences influenced by their sociocultural background. Given the link between self-compassion and lower mental health symptoms and higher job satisfaction, it may be helpful to design and implement interventions with these differences in mind.”

Professor of the Practice Allison Metz, Research Associate Todd Jensen, Postdoctoral Scholar in Implementation Practice Jenny Afkinich, Research Specialist MacKensie Disbennett and Implementation Associate Amanda Farley co-authored “How the experiences of implementation support recipients contribute to implementation outcomes” for Frontiers in Health Services. The authors examined the experiences of implementation support practitioners who received support in implementation to learn how ISPs can “produce behavior change and contribute to implementation outcomes.” The authors conducted semi-structured interviews of 13 professionals who supported implementation efforts at a private institution, finding that “The majority of recipients described how positive experiences and trusting relationships with ISPs increased acceptance of implementation science throughout the foundation and increased the perception of implementation science as both an appropriate and feasible approach for strengthening the impact of foundation strategies.” The authors concluded that “Insights from these experiences can enhance our understanding for building implementation capacity and the rationales for evolving approaches that emphasize the dynamic, emotional, and highly relational nature of supporting others to use evidence in practice.”

Associate Professor Lisa de Saxe Zerden, Research Assistant Professor Brianna Lombardi and Erin Fraher (UNC School of Medicine) co-authored “Varying Estimates of Social Workers in the United States: Which Data Source to Use?” for Medical Care Research and Review. The authors noted that behavioral health care needs in the United States continue to rise, with social workers providing an important role in services for community settings and behavioral health. However, the authors found that five commonly used national data sources show discrepancies in the number of social workers in the U.S., as well as the type and practice characteristics, with numbers ranging from 282,425 to 1,022,859 social workers. The authors concluded that “These differences have the potential to shape how researchers and policy makers assess the adequacy of the social work workforce and identify solutions to address the nation’s behavioral health and social care needs.”

Associate Professor Lisa de Saxe Zerden authored the editorial “Social Work and Burnout: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” for Social Work, the official journal of the National Association of Social Workers.

Presentations & Trainings

Associate Professor Lisa de Saxe Zerden presented in front of a statewide group comprised of leaders from 15 teams representing 24 counties in North Carolina who share a commitment to community-based suicide prevention strategies for the Our State, Our Wellbeing program of Carolina Across 100 — a Statewide Summit on Suicide Prevention. She presented “Expanding the Behavioral Health Workforce and Improving Access to Care” on Thursday, June 13, at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill.

Assistant Professor Bridgette Thom, Emeline Mariam Aviki (NYU Langone Health) and Fumiko Chino (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) presented “Implementing financial toxicity and health-related social risks screening and referral” at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago in June.

Assistant Professor Bridgette Thom was the senior author on the oral presentation “Payor denial after prior authorization request for long-acting pain medication: Provider and patient perspectives” presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago in June.

Assistant Professor Bridgette Thom was a co-author on four poster presentations presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago in June. The presentations are listed below:

  • “Racial and ethnic differences in patient-reported provider communication among patients with cancer”
  • “Financial toxicity and unmet essential needs in patients with gastrointestinal cancer”
  • “Financial toxicity in patients with metastatic breast cancer on trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd”
  • “Patient-reported provider communication skills and adherence to recommended treatment in breast cancer”

John A. Tate Distinguished Professor for Children in Need Emily Putnam-Hornstein will serve as a panelist for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights: North Carolina Advisory Committee Briefing #1 on Friday, July 12. Those interested in registering for the event can go here.

Professor of the Practice Allison Metz delivered the opening keynote speech and a workshop for the Collaborating for Impact conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The conference was dedicated to place-based change to improve outcomes and advance equity for all children in Northern Ireland.

Research Associate Professor Tonya Van Deinse presented the intensive workshop, “Intensive Session: How to Build and Sustain Specialized Mental Health Caseloads: Nuts and Bolts Guidance from NC and GA Community Supervision Agencies” at the American Probation and Parole Association’s summer training institute in Indianapolis in June. The workshop presentation was a collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision.

Research Professor Virginia Strand and Associate Professor Sarah E. “Betsy” Bledsoe presented “Using Community Engaged Scholarship Strategies to Advance Anti-Racist, Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment Training” at the 2024 National Child Traumatic Stress Network All-Network Conference.

Research Associate Professor Tonya Van Deinse presented “What is a Pre-Implementation Assessment and How to Use Findings to Enhance Program Implementation from the Outset” at the American Probation and Parole Association’s summer training institute in Indianapolis in June.

Awards, News & Recognition

Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson was accepted into the fifth cohort of the UNC System’s Executive Leadership Institute.

Research Associate Professor Tonya Van Deinse launched a study for the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction of workforce retention, engagement and well-being.

Assistant Professor Orrin Ware was accepted into the 2024 Brandeis-Harvard SPIRE Center Substance Use Disorder Systems program as a performance scholar.

The National Initiative for Trauma Education and Workforce Development (NITEWD) successfully launched its third annual Faculty Summer Institute in June 2024. Nineteen faculty from across the country participated in an intense three-day orientation to the Core Components and Skills for Trauma-Informed Practice course developed by NITEWD. As of fall 2024, there will be 53 schools of social work teaching the Core components course.