Students in the Integrative Health Lab are working on several projects related to the impact of mental health on physical health and well-being in medical and community samples. Below is list of current or upcoming data collections.
Ongoing Projects in Active Data Collection
Developing and Examining ACT for Rural patients with Type 2 Diabetes (DEAR T2D)
This project examines the feasibility and acceptability of a one-day Acceptance and Commitment Therapy workshop combined with continuous glucose monitoring for individuals living with T2D.
This project examines the feasibility and acceptability of a one-day Acceptance and Commitment Therapy workshop combined with continuous glucose monitoring for individuals living with T2D.
- Interested in participating? Email [email protected] for more information
Stress and Trauma Among Nurses in Development (STAND) Study
This is a longitudinal study of the prevalence, impact, and risk and protective factors of the development of trauma-related symptoms among undergraduate nursing students.
This is a longitudinal study of the prevalence, impact, and risk and protective factors of the development of trauma-related symptoms among undergraduate nursing students.
- Interested in participating? Email [email protected] for more information
Student Wellbeing at Sam Houston (SWASH) Study
This is part of a grant-funded campus-wide initiative to evaluate the social, emotional, and academic wellbeing of first year students at Sam Houston State University. Results form this study will inform campus initiatives to improve wellbeing among SHSU first year students.
This is part of a grant-funded campus-wide initiative to evaluate the social, emotional, and academic wellbeing of first year students at Sam Houston State University. Results form this study will inform campus initiatives to improve wellbeing among SHSU first year students.
- Interested in participating? Email [email protected] for more information
SCI Pain App Intervention (SCI PAIN) Study
This is a pilot project to examine two different apps for managing pain among individuals with chronic pain and spinal cord injury. This study is being conducted in conjunction with collaborators at TIRR Memorial Hermann and Baylor College of Medicine.
This is a pilot project to examine two different apps for managing pain among individuals with chronic pain and spinal cord injury. This study is being conducted in conjunction with collaborators at TIRR Memorial Hermann and Baylor College of Medicine.
- Interested in participating? Email [email protected] for more information
Be-WEL Study
The Behavioral Intervention for Wellness and Engaged Living (Be-WEL) study is currently being conducted at Baylor College of Medicine and at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston, Texas. This is a small randomized controlled trial to examine initial efficacy of a 4-session behavioral intervention, delivered via telephone to patients experiencing distress before and after surgery for gastrointestinal cancer. Depending on the results of this trial, the lab will seek funding for a large, randomized-controlled trial to assess the effect of the Be-WEL intervention on patients’ postoperative recovery.
The Behavioral Intervention for Wellness and Engaged Living (Be-WEL) study is currently being conducted at Baylor College of Medicine and at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston, Texas. This is a small randomized controlled trial to examine initial efficacy of a 4-session behavioral intervention, delivered via telephone to patients experiencing distress before and after surgery for gastrointestinal cancer. Depending on the results of this trial, the lab will seek funding for a large, randomized-controlled trial to assess the effect of the Be-WEL intervention on patients’ postoperative recovery.
- Interested in participating? Email [email protected] for more information!
Cancer Survivors' Perceptions of a Meditation App
We are interested in understanding cancer survivors' impressions of the popular meditation app InsightTimer. The goal of this brief survey study is to better address cancer survivors' needs.
We are interested in understanding cancer survivors' impressions of the popular meditation app InsightTimer. The goal of this brief survey study is to better address cancer survivors' needs.
- Interested in participating? Please email [email protected] to receive the survey link!
Completed Projects Undergoing Data Analysis
Learning How to De-Stress Together! This project examines four different approaches to reducing stress and improving quality of life for romantic couples who have lived together for 6 months or more. Couples participated in two 45-minute meetings (in person or via teleconference) with an instructor trained in stress management.
Positive Psychology for Parents in a Pandemic (P4). This project examined two different app-based approaches (mindfulness vs. gratitude) to reducing stress and improving quality of life for parents of young children experiencing elevated stress. Participants were asked to engage in mindfulness meditation or to keep a gratitude journal using a free app for 4 weeks.
Eating Disorder Clinicians' Adherence to Evidence-Based Practices: A Self-Determination Theory Approach This project examined the association of eating disorder clinicians' anxiety, attitudes toward empirically supported treatments, and satisfaction of three psychological needs (competency, autonomy, and relatedness) with use of core CBT-ED skills (e.g., cognitive and behavioral techniques) when treating individuals with eating disorders.
A Survey of Health and Quality of Life among SHSU Undergraduates
This project examined the association of physical and mental health and quality of life in our SHSU population.
This project examined the association of physical and mental health and quality of life in our SHSU population.
Politics & Psychology: How does Today’s News affect our Bodies and Minds?
This project is collaboration with Dr. Temilola Salami's weTHRIVE Lab and Dr. Dennis Wang in the Department of Political Science. A 2017 by the American Psychological Association found that over half of Americans described the current political climate was a significant source of stress in their lives, and this stress was highest among ethic minorities. For some, exposure to political information in the form of news may be a daily, chronic stressor that may increase the risk for psychological and physical health outcomes. This study seeks to identify biological, psychological and social risk and protective factors that may contribute to one’s physiological (i.e, cortisol) reaction to political information. This sample will include ethnically diverse undergraduates at SHSU.
This project is collaboration with Dr. Temilola Salami's weTHRIVE Lab and Dr. Dennis Wang in the Department of Political Science. A 2017 by the American Psychological Association found that over half of Americans described the current political climate was a significant source of stress in their lives, and this stress was highest among ethic minorities. For some, exposure to political information in the form of news may be a daily, chronic stressor that may increase the risk for psychological and physical health outcomes. This study seeks to identify biological, psychological and social risk and protective factors that may contribute to one’s physiological (i.e, cortisol) reaction to political information. This sample will include ethnically diverse undergraduates at SHSU.
Attitudes, Norms, and Behavioral Control Factors Associated with Intention to Receive Cervical Cancer Screening in Latina Americans
Receiving regular Pap smear testing is a well-proven way to find pre-cancers before they can turn into invasive cancer. Yet, 8 million US women have reported that they have not been screened according US guidelines. Difficulty accessing healthcare is one risk factor for not participating in the screening process, but about 70% of women who have not been screened have health insurance. Thus, other factors that may affect noncompliance should be investigated. This study study will investigate the effects of multiple possible risk factors for not getting screened for cervical cancer according to guidelines. This study will use the Theory of Planned Behavior (TBP), which conceptualizes behaviors (e.g., pap smears) as a result of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control, as a model for understanding the various factors associated with noncompliance with screening procedures. Because Hispanic and Latina women bear the lowest rate of cervical cancer screenings and the highest rate of cervical cancer diagnoses, Hispanic and Latina women will make up this study’s sample. Data collection for this study is now closed, and data analyses are ongoing.
Receiving regular Pap smear testing is a well-proven way to find pre-cancers before they can turn into invasive cancer. Yet, 8 million US women have reported that they have not been screened according US guidelines. Difficulty accessing healthcare is one risk factor for not participating in the screening process, but about 70% of women who have not been screened have health insurance. Thus, other factors that may affect noncompliance should be investigated. This study study will investigate the effects of multiple possible risk factors for not getting screened for cervical cancer according to guidelines. This study will use the Theory of Planned Behavior (TBP), which conceptualizes behaviors (e.g., pap smears) as a result of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control, as a model for understanding the various factors associated with noncompliance with screening procedures. Because Hispanic and Latina women bear the lowest rate of cervical cancer screenings and the highest rate of cervical cancer diagnoses, Hispanic and Latina women will make up this study’s sample. Data collection for this study is now closed, and data analyses are ongoing.
Emotional Regulation and Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors
This project examines the associations between body focused repetitive behaviors, such as skin picking or hair pulling, with mindfulness and mental health symptoms in college students. Data collection is now closed for this study, and data analyses are ongoing.
This project examines the associations between body focused repetitive behaviors, such as skin picking or hair pulling, with mindfulness and mental health symptoms in college students. Data collection is now closed for this study, and data analyses are ongoing.
Mindfulness Therapy for Victims of Childhood Adversity: What’s the Use?
Survivors of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are a unique population warranting clinical concern due to the tremendous impact these experiences have on biological, psychological, social functioning. Mindfulness-based therapy has shown promise in improving functioning in trauma populations, including survivors of ACEs. However, it is unclear how often mindfulness-based therapies are being implemented in clinical settings, especially with survivors of ACEs. The purpose of this study is to 1) determine the extent to which therapists use mindfulness-based interventions when working with survivors of ACEs, and 2) examine therapist-cited barriers and facilitators to using mindfulness-based therapies with survivors of ACEs. The study was modeled using the PARIHS framework (Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services), which posits three major factors influencing clinical uptake of evidence into practice: perceived evidence for the practice; receptiveness of the clinician’s context to the practice; and available facilitation (training/support) of the practice). Data collection is now closed for this study and results were presented by IHL member Addie Goodson at the Texas Psychological Association annual convention in November 2019.
Survivors of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are a unique population warranting clinical concern due to the tremendous impact these experiences have on biological, psychological, social functioning. Mindfulness-based therapy has shown promise in improving functioning in trauma populations, including survivors of ACEs. However, it is unclear how often mindfulness-based therapies are being implemented in clinical settings, especially with survivors of ACEs. The purpose of this study is to 1) determine the extent to which therapists use mindfulness-based interventions when working with survivors of ACEs, and 2) examine therapist-cited barriers and facilitators to using mindfulness-based therapies with survivors of ACEs. The study was modeled using the PARIHS framework (Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services), which posits three major factors influencing clinical uptake of evidence into practice: perceived evidence for the practice; receptiveness of the clinician’s context to the practice; and available facilitation (training/support) of the practice). Data collection is now closed for this study and results were presented by IHL member Addie Goodson at the Texas Psychological Association annual convention in November 2019.
Study of Mental Health & Surgical Outcomes
This project is a collaboration with the Micahel E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine. This study examines the impact of preoperative mental health diagnoses and receipt of mental health treatment (psychiatric medications and/or psychotherapy) on postoperative recovery (e.g., length of postoperative hospital stay, readmission rates, severity of complications) in a large database of Veterans who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer within the VA. Data analysis for this study is ongoing. The primary outcomes for this study were recently accepted for publication in Psychiatric Services.
This project is a collaboration with the Micahel E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine. This study examines the impact of preoperative mental health diagnoses and receipt of mental health treatment (psychiatric medications and/or psychotherapy) on postoperative recovery (e.g., length of postoperative hospital stay, readmission rates, severity of complications) in a large database of Veterans who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer within the VA. Data analysis for this study is ongoing. The primary outcomes for this study were recently accepted for publication in Psychiatric Services.
Brief Mindfulness to Reduce Anxiety and Pain in Patients Undergoing Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
The primary outcome for this project was published in 2018, but secondary data analyses are ongoing. Specifically, ongoing projects seek to determine moderators and mediators of the effect of a brief mindfulness intervention, compared to an active control condition and standard care, on anxiety, pain, and brain activity during stereotactic breast biopsy. Data analysis for this study is ongoing. The primary outcomes for this study have been published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, and secondary outcomes are currently being analyzed.
The primary outcome for this project was published in 2018, but secondary data analyses are ongoing. Specifically, ongoing projects seek to determine moderators and mediators of the effect of a brief mindfulness intervention, compared to an active control condition and standard care, on anxiety, pain, and brain activity during stereotactic breast biopsy. Data analysis for this study is ongoing. The primary outcomes for this study have been published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, and secondary outcomes are currently being analyzed.
Effectiveness of a Workplace Stress Management Program
This project examines the effectiveness of a 3-day train-the-trainer program to equip Wellness Coordinators to develop and implement wellness and stress management programming for employees of a large organization. This project will examine the effect of the training program on Wellness Coordinator preparedness as well as on long-term health and wellness among employees. Data collection is closed for this study and data analyses are ongoing.
This project examines the effectiveness of a 3-day train-the-trainer program to equip Wellness Coordinators to develop and implement wellness and stress management programming for employees of a large organization. This project will examine the effect of the training program on Wellness Coordinator preparedness as well as on long-term health and wellness among employees. Data collection is closed for this study and data analyses are ongoing.
Moral Injury among First Responders
This project examines the protective effect of gratitude, mindfulness, and optimism on health and quality of life among first responders who have experienced moral injury on the job.
This project examines the protective effect of gratitude, mindfulness, and optimism on health and quality of life among first responders who have experienced moral injury on the job.