Research
Bringing Art To Life
PI: Rebecca S. Allen, Keisha Carden, & Candice Reel
Collaborators: Bailey Lanai, Abbie Sims, Aja Lucky, Rumor Zacharia, Caroline York, & Brighlyn Rowland
We are working to better understand the experiences of those with Alzheimer’s of the dementia type as well as their caregiver throughout an art therapy intervention program called Bringing Art to Life.
We are looking at patient-centered outcomes, such as alleviation of disease symptoms (wandering, anxiety, mood swings, etc.) and how these outcomes influence the caregiver of the person with dementia. Since the disease is extremely hard on the caregivers, we hope that the intervention relieves some caregiver burden. We also hope that through this research we can learn how to better support people with dementia and their caregivers.
Collaborators: Bailey Lanai, Abbie Sims, Aja Lucky, Rumor Zacharia, Caroline York, & Brighlyn Rowland
We are working to better understand the experiences of those with Alzheimer’s of the dementia type as well as their caregiver throughout an art therapy intervention program called Bringing Art to Life.
We are looking at patient-centered outcomes, such as alleviation of disease symptoms (wandering, anxiety, mood swings, etc.) and how these outcomes influence the caregiver of the person with dementia. Since the disease is extremely hard on the caregivers, we hope that the intervention relieves some caregiver burden. We also hope that through this research we can learn how to better support people with dementia and their caregivers.
Shot on the Spot |
Drawing on an interdisciplinary team from the areas of medicine, psychology, nursing, communicative disorders and social work, UA’s team is working alongside the Rural Alabama Prevention Center, a community-based organization in Eutaw, Alabama. The RAPC’s mission is to improve the overall health of people living in rural West Alabama through the provision of preventive health services, education and resources. Loretta Webb Wilson, founder and CEO of the organization, is community lead for the grant. Dr. Hee Yun Lee, leads on the grant and is associate dean for research in the UA School of Social Work and Endowed Academic Chair in Social Work. Along with Lee, UA’s team consists of Dr. Pamela Payne-Foster, professor of community medicine and population health in UA’s College of Community Health Sciences and a preventative medicine/public health physician; Dr. Rebecca Allen, professor and former interim chair of the UA Department of Psychology; Dr. JoAnn Oliver, professor of nursing; and Dr. Marcia Hay-McCutcheon, professor of communicative disorders.
University Medical Center Geriatrics Clinic Longitudinal Behavioral Outcomes Project
PI: Rebecca S. Allen and Anne Halli-Tierney
Collaborators: Allen Lab, Drs. Dana Carroll, Forrest Scogin, Marcia Hay-McCutcheon, Geropsych Practicum Students, Amy Albright
Patients in Dr. Halli-Tierney’s outpatient Geriatrics Clinic are screened for behavioral health issues including cognition, depression, anxiety, health literacy, alcohol use, psychological flexibility and hearing. After baseline assessment patients are screened yearly.
Collaborators: Allen Lab, Drs. Dana Carroll, Forrest Scogin, Marcia Hay-McCutcheon, Geropsych Practicum Students, Amy Albright
Patients in Dr. Halli-Tierney’s outpatient Geriatrics Clinic are screened for behavioral health issues including cognition, depression, anxiety, health literacy, alcohol use, psychological flexibility and hearing. After baseline assessment patients are screened yearly.
Past Projects
Choosing Career Paths in Geropsychology
PI: Rebecca S. Allen and Hillary Dorman
Collaborators: Deanna Dragan, Soohyun Park, and Drs. Caitlan Tighe, Jessica Strong, and Diane Wagner
Other Collaborators: Helmi Henkin, Hannah Bishop, Taylor Popp, Maggie Hull, Jamie Choi, Larry Whitley and Drs. Martha Crowther, Lindsey Jacobs-Dodson, Elizabeth Shumaker, and Benjamin Mast
Choosing Career Paths in Geropsychology is a mixed-methods study implemented in collaboration with the Council of Professional Geropsychology Training Programs (CoPGTP). We aim to gain a deeper understanding of professional geropsychologists’ career interests, goals, and influencing factors related to career path choices. To do this, we have both collected quantitative data via Qualtrics and conducted several qualitative interviews. The project has completed its data collection and is currently analyzing results.
Collaborators: Deanna Dragan, Soohyun Park, and Drs. Caitlan Tighe, Jessica Strong, and Diane Wagner
Other Collaborators: Helmi Henkin, Hannah Bishop, Taylor Popp, Maggie Hull, Jamie Choi, Larry Whitley and Drs. Martha Crowther, Lindsey Jacobs-Dodson, Elizabeth Shumaker, and Benjamin Mast
Choosing Career Paths in Geropsychology is a mixed-methods study implemented in collaboration with the Council of Professional Geropsychology Training Programs (CoPGTP). We aim to gain a deeper understanding of professional geropsychologists’ career interests, goals, and influencing factors related to career path choices. To do this, we have both collected quantitative data via Qualtrics and conducted several qualitative interviews. The project has completed its data collection and is currently analyzing results.
The Holt Potted Plant ProjectPI: Hillary Dorman
Collaborators: Holt PAC members, Amy Albright, Deanna Dragan, Kaleb Murry, and Drs. Jermaine Mitchell, Pamela Payne-Foster, JoAnn Oliver, and Rebecca S. Allen The Holt Potted Plant Project is a 6-month community project stemming from SOAR, focused on creating fresh food security and community wellness in Holt, Alabama. The project follows the principles of CBPR as it was a community chosen, driven, and inspired project. Moreover, through mutual collaboration and trust we helped execute this community led project. The project has completed data collection and is currently in the write up stage. The project has been recognized at two student poster division conferences: awarded second place at the 9th Annual Community Health Sciences’ Institute on Rural Health Research Day and third place at the 18th Annual Rural Health Conference. |
LIFE (Legacy Intervention Family Enactment)
PI: Rebecca S. Allen
Collaborators: Allen Lab, Drs. Pat Parmelee, Ellen Csikai, Elizabeth Kvale, Linda Dunn, Michelle Hilgeman, Daniel Durkin, Grant Harris, Casey Azuero & Lou Burgio
Retired Senior Volunteers are trained to deliver a combination reminiscence and creative activity intervention to palliative care patients and their family caregivers. This is a brief, three to four session intervention delivered in home. Published results show that volunteers are as effective as master’s and bachelor’s level psychology and social work students in improving quality of life for patients and caregivers.
Collaborators: Allen Lab, Drs. Pat Parmelee, Ellen Csikai, Elizabeth Kvale, Linda Dunn, Michelle Hilgeman, Daniel Durkin, Grant Harris, Casey Azuero & Lou Burgio
Retired Senior Volunteers are trained to deliver a combination reminiscence and creative activity intervention to palliative care patients and their family caregivers. This is a brief, three to four session intervention delivered in home. Published results show that volunteers are as effective as master’s and bachelor’s level psychology and social work students in improving quality of life for patients and caregivers.
Sharing Opinions and Advice about Research in the Deep South (Project SOAR)PI: Rebecca S. Allen
Collaborators: Drs. Pamela Payne-Foster, JoAnn Oliver, Mr. Christopher Spencer, Sumter County and Holt PAC members, Keisha Carden, Kaleb Murry, and Deanna Dragan This ongoing PCORI-funded project has created university-community partnerships with Project Advisory Councils (PACs) in Sumter County (rural Alabama Black Belt) and Holt (underresourced urban area of Tuscaloosa County). PAC members are trained to provide opinions and advice about research recruitment materials, survey instruments, and intervention modules. https://www.facebook.com/SOARwithUA/ |
Mindfulness Based Stress-Reduction (MBSR) Group Outcomes
PI: Rebecca S. Allen and Deanna Dragan
Collaborators: Andrea Newman, Sarah Letang, Calia Torres, Keisha Carden, and Hillary Dorman
The Mindfulness Based Stress-Reduction (MBSR) Intergenerational Group Outcomes is a mixed-methods study being implemented in collaboration with the University of Alabama Psychology Clinic. Through this project, we aim to examine the effects of participating in a MBSR psychotherapy group and to look at how an individual’s experience in group therapy is affected by age differences among the group participants. We will be collecting quantitative data at pre-intervention and post-intervention. Also, qualitative follow up interviews will be conducted with the participants. This project is ongoing.
Collaborators: Andrea Newman, Sarah Letang, Calia Torres, Keisha Carden, and Hillary Dorman
The Mindfulness Based Stress-Reduction (MBSR) Intergenerational Group Outcomes is a mixed-methods study being implemented in collaboration with the University of Alabama Psychology Clinic. Through this project, we aim to examine the effects of participating in a MBSR psychotherapy group and to look at how an individual’s experience in group therapy is affected by age differences among the group participants. We will be collecting quantitative data at pre-intervention and post-intervention. Also, qualitative follow up interviews will be conducted with the participants. This project is ongoing.
Project Minion Dissertation (“There’s nothing wrong with you that an expensive operation can’t prolong”: An exploration of health literacy, end-of-life care preferences, and death exposure)
PI: Amy Albright
Collaborators: Rebecca Allen
Amy’s dissertation is comprised of three distinct studies. The first involves exploring the relationship between self-reported and functional health literacy in a geriatric primary care setting. Data collection is currently ongoing at the University Medical Center. The second study uses structural equation modeling to examine the influence of health literacy, death exposure, and palliative care knowledge on the aggressiveness of end-of-life care choices. The final component is an exploratory study that is investigating the relationship between health literacy, death exposure, religiosity, and attitudes towards physician-assisted death. Data collection for studies two and three will take part through mTurk.
Collaborators: Rebecca Allen
Amy’s dissertation is comprised of three distinct studies. The first involves exploring the relationship between self-reported and functional health literacy in a geriatric primary care setting. Data collection is currently ongoing at the University Medical Center. The second study uses structural equation modeling to examine the influence of health literacy, death exposure, and palliative care knowledge on the aggressiveness of end-of-life care choices. The final component is an exploratory study that is investigating the relationship between health literacy, death exposure, religiosity, and attitudes towards physician-assisted death. Data collection for studies two and three will take part through mTurk.
ARCSAM (Advocates Role in Prostate Cancer Screening Decisions Among African American Men)PI: JoAnn Oliver and Rebecca S. Allen
Collaborators: Allen Lab, Dr. Lu Tang, Lisa Mieskowski
The role of health care advocates in the prostate cancer screening decisions of rural African American men is extremely important. Health literacy, preparation for future care and decisional conflict are also explored across one year.
Collaborators: Allen Lab, Dr. Lu Tang, Lisa Mieskowski
The role of health care advocates in the prostate cancer screening decisions of rural African American men is extremely important. Health literacy, preparation for future care and decisional conflict are also explored across one year.
Attending to Positively Perceived Experiences Across the Lifespan: The APPEAL Study
PIs: Caitlan Tighe, Dr. Natalie Dautovich, and Dr. Rebecca AllenThe purpose of this study is to examine how savoring, a form of positive emotion regulation, relates to affect and perceptions of health across adulthood. This study is currently in the data collection stage.
PIs: Caitlan Tighe, Dr. Natalie Dautovich, and Dr. Rebecca AllenThe purpose of this study is to examine how savoring, a form of positive emotion regulation, relates to affect and perceptions of health across adulthood. This study is currently in the data collection stage.
CNA Bereavement Study (Dissertation)
PI: Morgan Eichorst Collaborators: Rebecca Allen, Gabrielle Lindley, Alex Smith, Deanna Dragan This mixed-methods project seeks to explore the relationship between death exposure, death attitudes, caregiver fatigue, and attitudes toward advance care planning in a sampleof certified nursing assistants (CNAs) working in local skilled nursing facilities. CNAs bear the brunt of the direct patient work in nursing homes, but are often unrecognized as critical members of the patient care team. In their role, CNAs experience frequent exposure to death, even death of residents with whom they have forged close, personal relationships. The CNABS project aims to give voice to the experiences of CNAs regarding these topics, and to acknowledge the potential of their role as end-of-life caregivers. |
Project Minion (Psychological Correlates of Health Literacy and HPV Knowledge: An Exploratory Analysis)
PI: Amy Albright Collaborators: Dr. Allen Project Minion is currently in the data collection stage, recruiting through the subject pool and MTurk. One of the main focuses of the project is to examine the utility of a new health literacy measure, as well as examine the relationship between health literacy and various psychological constructs. Data is also being collected on knowledge of Human papillomavirus and available HPV vaccines, with the goal of examining the relationship between a specific health behavior and health literacy. |
Allen et al 2008 Legacy Primary Outcomes |