Selected Research Projects
Current Research
Training for Resilience: Mitigating Adverse Childhood Experiences in Higher Education
Funding Source: Research Development Committee, East Tennessee State University
Dates: 7/1/2020-6/30/2021
PI: Diana Morelen; Co-I's: Julia Bernard; Andrea D Clements; Julia Dodd; Judy G McCook;
Michele Moser; Megan Quinn; David Roane
Amount Funded: $44,367
This project will empirically investigate whether we can create organizational and
cultural changes to mitigate the effects of ACEs at ETSU through the implementation
of trauma informed practice (TIP) trainings within the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy
(COP). Over time, the SBI hopes to create an ACEs-aware and trauma informed university
from top down (administrators) and bottom up (students). We will systematically evaluate
the implementation, feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of TIP training
from the top down and bottom up within the COP. Conducting this project across all
levels of training and roles offers the unique opportunity to use empirical methods
to ascertain the “what” (training curriculum) and “how” (implementation strategies)
relevant for culture change around ACEs awareness and TIP. Further, best practices
in implementation science suggest that implementation efforts move beyond the “what”
and the “how,” to also consider the
“who” (empowering the people involved) and the “why” (foster intrinsic motivation)
to promote sustainability (Hilton & Anderson, 2018).
Trauma Informed Parenting Intervention to Promote Maternal Mental Health and Reduce
Child Risk
Funding Source: East Tennessee State University Research Development Committee, Major
Grant
Funding Amount: $9,950
Funding Source: Ballad Community Health Improvement Pilot Site
Funding Amount: $40,000
PI: Diana Morelen
Mom Power is a relationship-based and trauma-informed parenting and self-care skills group designed for mothers and their young children (ages 0-6). Mom Power has been shown to help all sorts of families, but can be particularly helpful for mothers who have been impacted by ACES. Mom Power focuses on promoting family strengths and resilience. The broad aim of the Mom Power project is to determine feasibility and effectiveness of Mom Power with families in Northeast TN.
Previously Funded Projects
Adverse Childhood Experiences at a HIV clinic in rural Appalachia: A pilot study to
assess HIV/AIDS treatment barriers
Funding Source: East Tennessee State University Research Development Committee, Major
Grant
Grant Number: 20-028M
PI: Megan Quinn
Dates: 7/1/2019-6/30/2020
Funding Amount: $9,950
Building Capacity for a Trauma Informed System of Care in Munsieville, South Africa
Funding Source: East Tennessee State University Research Development Committee, Small
Grant
Co-I: Megan Quinn
Dates: 10/2018-06/2019
Funding Amount: $1,500
Community-Wide Trauma Informed System of Care Toolkit
Funding Source: State of Tennessee Department of Children’s Services Adverse Childhood
Experiences (ACEs) Initiative
Grant Number: RFS-35910-03117
Dates: 7/1/2018-6/30/2019
PI: Andrea D Clements; Co-I: Becky Haas
Funding Amount: $53,916
Identifying adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and resilience in college students:
steps toward a trauma-informed campus
Funding Source: Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, Building Strong Brains
Tennessee
Grant Number: 18-213
PI: Megan Quinn
Dates: 07/2018-06/2019
Funding Amount: $72,029
Quality of Life, Human Insecurity, and Distress among Palestinian Refugees in Jordan
Funding Source: East Tennessee State University Research Development Committee, Major
Grant
Grant Number: 18-007M
Co-I: Megan Quinn
Dates: 07/2017-06/2018
Funding Amount: $10,000
Building Strong Brains and Strong Families: Implementation of Trauma-Informed Care
(TIC) at the Boys & Girls Club of Johnson City/Washington County
Funding Source: State of Tennessee Department of Children’s Services Adverse Childhood
Experiences (ACEs) Initiative
Grant Number: #35910-02117
Dates: 7/1/2016-6/30/2017
PI: Andrea D Clements; Co-I: Becky Haas
Amount Funded: $119,552
Model to Interrupt Social Determinants of Rural Health
Funding Source: BlueCross BlueShield Foundation of Tennessee Health Foundation
Grant Number: 259651
Co-I: Megan Quinn
Dates: 10/2016-07/2017
Funding Amount: $25,000
Exploring Adverse Childhood Experiences and infectious disease risk: a pilot study
in South Africa
Funding Source: East Tennessee State University Research Development Committee, Major
Grant
Grant Number: 17-020M
PI: Megan Quinn
Dates: 07/2016-06/2017
Funding Amount: $9,960
Adverse Childhood Experiences in South Africa: understanding childhood trauma in Munsieville
Funding Source: East Tennessee State University Research Development Committee, Small
Grant
Grant Number: 16-023sm
PI: Megan Quinn
Dates: 03/2016-08/2016
Funding Amount: $1,500
Exploring Adverse Childhood Experiences among Mothers and Daughters in South Central
Appalachia
Funding Source: East Tennessee State University Research Development Committee, Small
Grant
Grant Number: 16-014sm
Co-I: Megan Quinn
Dates: 03/2016-08/2016
Funding Amount: $1,500
Adult health outcomes: Impact of childhood adversity and preventive care on inpatient
health risks
Funding Sourc: ETSU Research Development Committee Major Grant
Grant Number: 14-012M
Co-I: Megan Quinn
Dates: 07/2013-06/2014
Funding Amount: $9,988
Selected Publications
Stinson, J.D., Quinn, M.A., Menditto, A.A., & LeMay, C.C. (2021). Adverse childhood experiences and the onset of aggression and criminality in a forensic inpatient sample. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health.
Clements, A. D., Haas, B., Cyphers, N. A., Hoots, V., & Barnet, J. (In press). Creating a communitywide system of trauma informed care. Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action
Decosimo, C. A., Hanson, J., Quinn, M., Badu, P., & Smith, E. G. (2019). Playing to live: outcome evaluation of a community-based psychosocial expressive arts program for children during the Liberian Ebola epidemic. Global Mental Health, 6.
Loudermilk, E., Loudermilk, K., Quinn, M. (2018). Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Adult Alcohol Consumption Behaviors. Child Abuse and Neglect, 86, 368-374.
Morelen, D., Muzik, M., & Rosenblum, K. (2018). Childhood Maltreatment and Motherhood: Implications for Maternal Well-Being and Mothering. In M. Muzik & K.L. Rosenblum (eds.), Motherhood in the Face of Trauma: Pathways of Healing and Growth. NY: Springer.
Quinn, M., Caldara, G., Collins, K., Owens, H., Ozodiegwu, I., Loudermilk, E., Stinson, J. (2018). Methods for Understanding Childhood Trauma: Modifying the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire for Cultural Competency. International Journal of Public Health, 63: 149. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-017-1058-2
Decosimo, A., Hanson, J., Boland, C.B., Slawson, D., Littleton, M., Quinn, M. (2017). Process Evaluation: Playing to Live! A Community Psychosocial Arts Program during Ebola. Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences. 11 (1) 176-199.
Hanson, J., Decosimo, A., Quinn, M. (2017). Diminished Quality of Life amongst Women affected by Ebola. Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences. 10 (1), 112-133.
Fletcher, T., Clements, A. D., & Bailey, B. (2016). Identifying intimate partner violence during pregnancy in prenatal care settings. International Journal of Health Sciences Education, 3(1). Available at: https://dc.etsu.edu/ijhse/vol3/iss1/3
Stinson, J.D., Gretak, A.P., Carpenter, R.K., & Quinn, M.A. (In press). Adverse childhood experiences and suicidality and self-harm in persons in secure forensic care. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law.
Selected Presentations
Dodd, J. & Sharp, M. (accepted). Anxiety mediates the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and somatic symptoms in pregnancy. Poster abstract submitted for the annual meeting of The International Marcé Society for Perinatal Mental Health.
Dodd, J. (2021). Bucs Academy Faculty Panel. Successfully transitioning to college for students from underrepresented groups. Multicultural Center Initiative to enhance students' university experience. East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee.
Cyphers, N., & Clements, A. D. (2020). Love others as you love yourself: Bearing the
suffering of others through trauma stewardship. Paper to be presented at The Conference
on Medicine and Religion, Columbus, OH. (Cancelled due to Coronavirus)
Adams, E., Dodd, J., Clements, A., & Raja, S. (2019). Trauma informed care as a universal precaution: Practical applications for behavioral medicine practitioners and researchers. Pre-conference course presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Behavioral Medicine, Washington, DC.
Altschuler, R. & Dodd, J. (2019). Medical mistrust mediates the relationship between sexual victimization and medical non-adherence. Oral presentation presented at the annual meeting for International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Boston, MA.
Altschuler, R., Hinkle, M., & Dodd, J. C. (2019, March). Medical mistrust mediates the relationship between sexual victimization and physical health complaints. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Behavioral Medicine, Washington, DC.
Bishop, K., Hoots, V., & Clements, A. D. (2019). Changes in familiarity of service providers with trauma informed care over time. Poster presented at the Appalachian Student Research Forum, Johnson City, TN.
Caselman, G. & Dodd, J. C. (2019, March). How sexual trauma stigma affects health: The mediating role of medical mistrust. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Behavioral Medicine, Washington, DC.
Dolson, R., Morelen, D., Dodd, J., & Clements, A. D. (2019). Pocket Ace: Neglect of child sexual abuse survivors in the ACE Study Questionnaire. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association.
Henninger, M. W., & Clements, A. D. (2019). Identifying intimate partner violence: A review of three measures for implementation in primary care settings. Poster presented at the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association Annual Conference, Denver, CO.
Hoots, V. M., Barnet, J., Morelen, D., Haas, B., & Clements, A. D. (2019). Self-Assessed Change Attributed to Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Training [Abstract]. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 53, Supplement 1, S595.
Hoots, V., Stephens, R., Clements, A. D., & Bailey, B. (2019). Physical abuse in pregnant Appalachian mothers: Associations with religious values and forgiveness. Poster presented at the Appalachian Student Research Forum, Johnson City, TN.
Morelen, D., Clingensmith, R., & Dove-Otwell, R. (2019). Implementation and Effectiveness
of Mom Power
in the Appalachian Region of Tennessee: Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Trauma, and
Resilience. Presented at Marce of North American Biennial Conference on Perinatal
Mental Health, Chapel Hill, NC.
Moser, M. and Quinn, M. (January, 2019). Building an ACEs Informed University: Strategy
for Recruitment and Retention. Council of Academic Chairs Meeting at East Tennessee
State University. Johnson City, TN.
Caselman, G., Dodd, J., Morelen, D. (2018). ACEs' effects on subjective health and the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties. Poster presented at the annual meeting for International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Washington, DC.
Clements, A. D. (2018). The Roots of Trauma-Informed Care: Love Thy Neighbor? Paper presented at the 7th Annual Conference on Medicine and Religion, St. Louis, MO.
Clements, A. D., & Cyphers (2018). Addressing intimate partner violence: Development of a trauma informed workforce [Abstract]. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 52, Supplement 1, S149.
Clements, A. D., Henninger, M. W., Rothman, E. F., & Newton, T. (2018). Symposium entitled Intimate partner violence predicts poor health, but maybe help is on the way? [Abstract]. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 52, Supplement 1, S149.
Dodd, J., Caselman, G., Morelen, D. (2018). Sexual trauma stigma and physical health outcomes: The mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties. Poster presented at the annual meeting for International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Washington, DC.
Dodd, J., Mann. A., Morelen, D., & Caselman, G. (2018). Perceived discrimination predicts health risk behaviors and subjective health in rural Appalachian college students. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Behavioral Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
Henninger, M.W., McAdams, M., Clements, A. D., Rothman, E. F., & Bailey, B. A. (2018). Intimate partner violence victimization and opioid use by pregnant women in rural Appalachia: A cross-sectional analysis [Abstract]. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 52, Supplement 1, S149.
Baker, K., Quinn, M., Ariyo, T., Peluso, Anthony, Smyth, M., Cano, A., Peterson, A., Mwirigi, K., Owens, H.O. (October, 2017). Exploring Adverse Childhood Experiences among mothers and daughters in south central Appalachia. Adverse Childhood Experiences Summit. Asheville, NC.
Clements, A. D., Haas, B., & Bastian, R. G. (2017). Progress in the development of a trauma informed system of care in Johnson City, Tennessee. Presentation at the Adverse Childhood Experiences Southeastern Summit 2017: The Art of Healing ACES, Asheville, NC.
Clements, A. D., Haas, B., & Hoots, V. (2017). ACEs, intrinsic religiosity, and compassion in “helping professionals” targeted for trauma-informed care training. Symposium: Caring for trauma survivors: Caregiver characteristics, compassion fatigue, and outcomes of a spiritual intervention [Abstract]. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 51(Suppl 1), S429. DOI: 10.1007/s12160-017-9903-3
Cyphers, N. A., & Clements, A. D. (2017). Caring for foster children in the hospital setting. Presented at the 14th Annual Regional Pediatric Nursing Conference, Wilmington, DE.
Dodd, J. (2017). From theory to practice: Practical tips for creating a trauma-informed primary care practice. Roundtable discussion facilitated at the annual meeting of the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, Houston, TX.
Owens, H., Loudermilk, E., Quinn, M. (September, 2017). Effects of physical and sexual abuse on mental health. Tennessee Public Health Association, Franklin, TN.
Quinn, M., Collins, K., Caldara, G., Owens, H., Ozodiegwu, I., Loudermilk, E., Stinson, J. (September, 2017). Modification of the adverse childhood experiences international questionnaire for cultural competency: methods for understanding childhood trauma in low-resource settings. Sexual Violence Research Initiative Forum. Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
Fletcher, T. R., & Clements, A. D., & Bailey B. (2016). Intimate partner violence during pregnancy in Appalachian women. Poster presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Quinn, M., Obenauer, J., Obure, R., Stinson, J. (June, 2016). Adverse Childhood Experiences in the United States: A descriptive analysis of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from 2011-2012. Academy Health. Boston, MA.
Quinn, M., Obure, R., Shekiro, E., Stinson, J. (June, 2016). Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Victimization in a College Aged Sample. Society for Epidemiologic Research. Americas Congress of Epidemiology 2016. Miami, FL.
Subedi, P., Quinn, M., Obenauer, J., Obure, R., Gaines, M., Stinson, J. (November, 2016). Childhood Sexual Abuse and Sexual Risk Behaviors among College Students in Appalachia. Poster presentation. American Public Health Association. Denver, CO.
Obure, R., Shekiro, E., Quinn, M., Stinson, J. (June, 2016). Physical and Emotional Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Experiences of College Students in Southern Appalachia. Society for Epidemiologic Research. Americas Congress of Epidemiology 2016. Miami, FL.
Fletcher, T. R., Clements, A. D., McBee, M., & Bailey, B. (2014). Prevalence, types, risk factors, and course of intimate partner violence in Appalachian pregnant women. Oral Presentation at the Appalachian Student Research Forum, Johnson City, TN.
Quinn, M., Stinson, J. (August, 2014). Exposure to violence during childhood: Implications for adult health. Oral presentation at the International Epidemiologic Association’s World Congress of Epidemiology 2014. Anchorage, AK.
Fletcher, T. R., Clements, A. D., McGrady, L. & Bailey, B. (2013). Intimate partner violence screening tools: Validation for rural pregnant women. Oral Presentation at the Midwestern Psychological Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
Fletcher, T. R., Clements, A. D., & Bailey, B. (2013). Intimate partner violence screening tools: Are they valid for rural pregnant women? Oral Presentation at the Appalachian Student Research Forum, Johnson City, TN.
Student Theses and Other Projects
Altschuler, R., Caselman, G., Hinkle, M., & Dodd, J. (2019). Anxiety mediates the relationship between sexual trauma stigma and somatic health complaints. Oral presentation presented at the annual Appalachian Student Research Forum, Johnson City, TN.
Bishop, K. E., Clements, A. D., & Hoots, V. (2019). Trauma-Informed Care: Implementation Efforts in Northeast Tennessee. Undergraduate Honors Theses. Paper 483. https://dc.etsu.edu/honors/483
Brady, E., Henderson, H., Hoots, V., Barnet, J., & Clements, A. D. (2019). Physical abuse in pregnant Appalachian mothers: Associations with religious values and forgiveness. Poster presented at the Appalachian Student Research Forum, Johnson City, TN.
Dolson, R. A., Morelen, D., Dodd, J., & Clements, A. (2019). Pocket ace: Neglect of child sexual abuse survivors in the ACE study questionnaire. Oral presentation presented at the annual Appalachian Student Research Forum, Johnson City, TN.
Heineken, K., Morelen, D., & Clingensmith, R. (2019). Mindfulness and Religiosity/Spirituality as Protecting Factors for Internalizing Symptoms Associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Moderated Moderation Model. Paper presented at East Tennessee State University’s Boland Symposium, Johnson City, TN.
Najm, J., Morelen, D., (April, 2019). Adverse Childhood Experiences, Emotion Socialization, and Substance Use: A moderator model. Paper presentation at Appalachian Student Research Forum. Johnson City, TN
Kuku, O., Caselman, G., Dodd, J., Alu, S., Arnett, B., Barker, M., & Taylor, L. (2018). Association between depression and physical health among college adults: The mediating roles of physical inactivity and diet. Poster presented at the annual Appalachian Student Research Forum, Johnson City, TN.
Unzueta, C. V., & Clements, A. D. (2017) The Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Intrinsic Religiosity in Southern Appalachia, Undergraduate Honors Thesis. https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1420&context=honors