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

Drs. Eva Woodward and Rajinder "Sonia” Singh coauthored an open access article in BMC Health Services Research about assessing researchers' capabilities, opportunities, and motivation to conduct equity-oriented dissemination and implementation research (first author: Ana Baumann). Findings suggest that a multi-pronged approach is needed to enhance capability of and opportunities for conducting equity-oriented dissemination and implementation work, including training, collaboration with researchers with expertise and lived experience, funding, and recognition.

Drs. Derrecka Boykin (first author), Mark Kunik, Michael Kauth, Terri Fletcher, and Jeffrey Cully published an open access article on how their project leveraged research–operations partnerships to increase implementation of brief cognitive behavioral therapy (brief CBT) in VA primary care settings in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science. The project was informed by the empirically derived World Health Organization’s ExpandNet framework. A steering committee of VA operational partners helped align the brief CBT program with the implementation needs of VA primary care settings. During the first 18 months of the project, partnerships facilitated rapid implementation of brief CBT at eight VA facilities, including the training of 12 providers who saw 120 patients.

Drs. Taylor Ceroni (first author), Chelsea Ennis, Mary Shapiro, Laurel Franklin, and Amanda Raines published an article about the unique and interactive effects of gender and race on PTSD symptom severity among military sexual trauma survivors in Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. During an intake evaluation, 126 Veterans (71% Women, 29% Men; 70% Black/African American and 30% White/Caucasian) completed a diagnostic interview and battery of self-report questionnaires while presenting for psychological services at a VA military sexual trauma specialty clinic. Results revealed a main effect of gender and race such that Veteran men and Black/African American Veterans were found to have increased PTSD symptom severity. However, there was not a significant gender by race interaction.

Dr. Monica Matthieu coauthored an open access article about guiding the design of workplace stress management mobile apps for frontline health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic (first author: Beenish Moalia Chaudhry) in JMIR Formative Research. Their mixed methods qualitative study included a cross-sectional survey with 20 frontline health workers. Two researchers independently conducted qualitative analysis of all the collected data using deductive and inductive approaches. Findings suggest that identifying stressors, coping strategies, and challenges with applying coping strategies can guide the design of stress management apps for frontline health workers.

Last updated: November 10, 2022