MIRECC / CoE

Publication Highlights

Articles and books authored by our affiliates enable us to share research and knowledge about mental health treatment with our Veteran, caregiver, provider and research communities.

Highlighted Articles

Dr. Traci Abraham (first author) and co-authors’ article on the invisible emotion work of caregivers was published in the Journal of Health Trauma Rehabilitation. The findings, from their PhotoVoice study with caregivers of post-9/11 Veterans with traumatic brain injuries, signal a need for healthcare systems and providers to acknowledge emotion work as a potential source of stress and to provide multifaceted support for Veterans and family caregivers.

Dr. Muhammad Rais Baig (first author) and colleagues’ article comparing the outcomes of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) versus Seeking Safety (SS) in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder for Veterans was published in the Journal of Psychological Services. Results of this retrospective chart review demonstrate the need for alternative approaches where dually diagnosed patients will not be delayed in their receipt of trauma-focused care (i.e., where treatment is initiated concurrently rather than sequentially to substance abuse treatment).

Dr. Michael Cucciare (first author) and co-authors’ article on their randomized controlled trial of a brief computer-delivered alcohol intervention for patients with liver disease was published in Addiction. Findings showed that the intervention reduced drinking days and unhealthy drinking days at 6‐month follow up in Veterans with liver disease compared with brief education and advice to reduce consumption.

Dr. Gina Evans-Hudnall (first author) and colleagues’ article on the feasibility and acceptability of their HERO integrated cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for psychological symptoms and weight management was published in Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. Findings showed that participants had significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms and improvements in dietary and sedentary behaviors. Download Dr. Evans-Hudnall’s HERO Program manuals for free from our website.

Dr. Sara Landes (first author) and co-authors published a paper identifying challenges and possible solutions to implementing phone coaching in dialectical behavior therapy in Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. The authors identified four themes that were barriers to conducting phone coaching and offered recommendations for individuals and organizations wanting to implement phone coaching at their health care facilities.

Dr. Gala True (first author) and colleagues published an article on frontline staff perspectives on treating patients in the emergency department (ED) after self-harm in the Journal of Emergency Nursing. The authors describe four categories of strategies recommended by study participants including adapting the ED environment, improving efficiencies to provide mental health care, supporting the staff who provide direct care for patients, and leveraging community resources to improve access to mental health resources postdischarge. Dr. True was also published in a paper on intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors’ input on health care-connected services in the Journal of Women’s Health (First author: M. E. Dichter). Findings of this study support health care settings having in-house or close partnerships with IPV advocates to adequately support patients’ needs in connecting with and navigating community-based IPV-related services.

Last updated: April 22, 2021