Psychology Program Research Related to Diversity

image by Helge V. Keitel

Current Projects

The Emotional Impact of Coming Out in the LGBQ Community
Amy Przeworski and the SOAR Institute are currently conducting an online study examining whether certain factors related to individuals’ relationships, family functioning, religious beliefs, and emotional experiences predict how “out” someone is. We are also interested in whether how “out” one is is related to symptoms of anxiety and depression, and under what circumstances.

Psychological Functioning in Families of Gender Variant Youth
Amy Przeworski and the SOAR Institute are currently conducting an online study examining parent and child functioning in gender variant, transgender, or otherwise non-cisgender kids ages 10-17.

PTSD Treatment and Research Program
Dr. Norah Feeny and the PTSD Treatment and Research Program team are currently conducting a NIMH funded randomized clinical trial, Optimizing Treatment for PTSD: PE vs. PE + Zoloft (1R01 MH066348), that treats individuals with chronic PTSD. All of our work exemplifies diversity, as we provide free treatment to an underserved population who has experienced traumatic events. Many of the clients we provide treatment to are from a racial/ethnical minority group and/or of lower socioeconomic status. However, we offer treatment to a diverse population, regardless of age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, military status, physical abilities, and religious affiliation and beliefs.

Most of Dr. Exline’s current projects focus on the following religious and spiritual struggles: anger at God, doubts and questions about religion, moral or interpersonal conflicts related to religion.

Recent Research Conducted by Psychology Faculty and Students

Books

Zoellner, L.A. & Feeny, N.C., Eds. (2014). Facilitating resilience and recovery following traumatic events. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Grubbs, J.B., Volk, F., Exline J.J., & Pargament, K. I. (2014) Internet pornography use: Perceived addiction, psychological distress, and the validation of a short measure. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy. Online First Edition

Grubbs, J.B., Exline, J.J., Pargament, K.I., Hook, J.N., & Carlisle, R. (2014) Transgression as addiction: Religiosity and moral disapproval as predictors of perceived addiction to pornography. Archives of Sexual Behavior. Online First Edition.

Exline, J.J., Pargament, K.I., Grubbs, J.B., & Yali, A.M. (2014). The Religious and Spiritual Struggles Scale: Development and initial validation. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 6, 208-222.

Grubbs, J. B., Exline, J. J., & Twenge, J. M. (2014). Psychological entitlement and ambivalent sexism: Understanding the role of entitlement in predicting two forms of sexism. Sex Roles, 70, 209-220 Exline, J.J. (2013). Religious and spiritual struggles. In K. I. Pargament (Editor-in-Chief), J.J. Exline, & J.W. Jones (Associate Eds.), APA handbook of psychology, religion, and spirituality (Volume 1: Context, theory, and research; pp. 459-475). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Grubbs, J.B., Exline, J.J., and Campbell, W. K. (2013) “I deserve better, and God knows it! Psychological entitlement as a robust predictor of anger at God.”Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 5, 192-200.

Exline, J.J., Prince-Paul, M., Root, B.L., & Peereboom, K.S. (2013). Anger toward God among family members of hospice patients. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 16, 369-375. DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2012.0246

Pargament, K.I. (Editor-in-Chief), Exline, J.J., & Jones, J.W. (Associate Eds.) (2013). APA handbook of psychology, religion, and spirituality (Volume 1: Context, theory, and research). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Peer Reviewed Publications

Burton, M., Cooper, A., Zoellner, L.A., & Feeny, N.C. (in press). Facilitating resilience in the treatment of PTSD. Journal of Contemporary Psychology.

Exline, J.J., Pargament, K.I., Grubbs, J.B., & Yali, A.M. (2014). The Religious and Spiritual Struggles Scale: Development and initial validation. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 6, 208-222.

Clifton, E.G. & Feeny, N.C. (2014). Depleted resources and chronic stress: Finding a clinical stronghold during the “storm.” Clinical Case Studies.

Keller, S., Feeny, N., & Zoellner, L. (2014). Depression sudden gains and transient depression spikes during treatment for PTSD. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 82, 102-111.

McLaughlin, A., Keller, S., Feeny, N., Youngstrom, E., & Zoellner, L. (2014). Patterns of therapeutic alliance: rupture-repair episodes in prolonged exposure for PTSD. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 82, 112-121.

Rytwinski, N.K., Rosoff, C.B., Feeny, N.C., & Zoellner, L.A. (2014). Are PTSD treatment choices and treatment beliefs related to depression symptoms and depression-relevant treatment rationales? Behavior Research and Therapy, 61, 96-104.

Exline, J.J., Prince-Paul, M., Root, B.L., & Peereboom, K.S. (2013). Anger toward God among family members of hospice patients. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 16, 369-375. DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2012.0246.

Chen, J., Keller, S., Zoellner, L., & Feeny, N. (2013). “How will it help me?”: Reasons underlying treatment preferences between sertraline and prolonged exposure in posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 201, 691-697.

Exline, J.J., Kaplan, K.J., & Grubbs, J.B. (2012). Anger, exit, and assertion: Do people see protest toward God as morally acceptable? Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 4, 264-277.

Exline, J.J., & Bright, D.S. (2011). Spiritual struggles in the workplace. Journal of Management, Spirituality, and Religion, 8, 123-142.

Exline, J.J., & Grubbs, J. (2011). “If I tell others about my anger toward God, how will they respond?” Predictors, associated behaviors, and outcomes in an adult sample. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 39, 304-415.

Exline, J.J., Park, C.L., Smyth, J.M., & Carey, M.P. (2011). Anger toward God: Social-cognitive predictors, prevalence, and links with adjustment to bereavement and cancer. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100, 129-148.

Pacella, M.L., Armelie, A., Boarts, J., Wagner, G., Jones, T., Feeny, N., & Delahanty, D.L. (2011). The impact of prolonged exposure on PTSD symptoms and associated psychopathology in people living with HIV: A randomized test of concept. AIDS and Behavior, 16, 1327-1340.

Post, L.M., Zoellner, L.A., Youngstrom, E.A. & Feeny, N.C. (2011). Understanding the relationship between co-occurring PTSD and MDD: Symptom severity and affect. Journal of Anxiety Disorder, 25, 1123-1130.

Root, B.L., & Exline, J.J. (2011). Gender differences in response to experimental forgiveness prompts: Do men show stronger responses than women? Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 33, 182-193.

Keller, S.M., Zoellner, L.A., & Feeny, N.C. (2010). Understanding factors associated with early therapeutic alliance in PTSD treatment: Adherence, childhood sexual abuse history, and social support. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78, 974-979.

Conference Presentations

Clifton, E.G., Feeny, N.C., & Zoellner, L. A. (2014, November). Examining emotional engagement trajectories: Working to optimize to the individual. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.

Bradley, D.F., Exline, J.J., & Uzdavines, A. Self-reported reasons for nonbelief in God’s existence: A quantitative approach. Symposium presenter. Nonreligion and Secularity Research Network 3rd International Conference, Claremont, CA, November 2014.

Keller, S., Jun, J., Feeny, N., Zoellner, L., & Hayes, A. (2014, November). Capturing in-session content: Cognitive change during prolonged exposure for PTSD. In S. Keller (Chair), In session processes of change during PTSD treatment: Fear reduction, cognitive processes, and distress tolerance. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.

Kline, A.C., Bergman, H.E., Feeny, N.C., & Zoellner, L.A. (2014, November). Early alliance and treatment completion among African Americans and Caucasians in a PTSD clinical sample. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.

Jun, J., Keller, S., Zoellner, L., Feeny, N., & Hayes, A. (2014, November). Associations of predictors and processes of change within sudden gains in PTSD. In S. Keller (Chair), In session processes of change during PTSD treatment: Fear reduction, cognitive processes, and distress tolerance. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.

Bergman, H.E., Kline, A.C., Feeny, N.C., & Zoellner, L. A. (2014, October). Examining PTSD treatment choice among individuals with subthreshold PTSD. In M. S. Burton (Chair), Informing empirically validated treatments for PTSD: We know what treatments are most effective, but where do we go from here? Symposium accepted to the meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Miami, FL.

Burton, M.S., Marks, E.G., Bedard-Gilligan, M., Feeny, N.C. & Zoellner, L.A. (2014, October). Negative life events and PTSD treatment with prolonged exposure and sertraline. In M. S. Burton (Chair) Informing empirically validated treatments for PTSD: We know what treatments are most effective, but where do we go from here? Symposium accepted to the meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Miami, FL.

Cooper, A.A., Zoellner, L.A., Roy-Byrne, P., Mavissakalian, M.R., & Feeny, N.C. (2014, October). Comparing the temporal relation of belief and symptom change in prolonged exposure and sertraline treatment of PTSD. In A. A. Cooper (Chair), Inside the “black box” of treatment for PTSD: Processes and pathways of symptom change. Symposium accepted to the meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Miami, FL.

Cooper, A.A., Graham, B.P.M., Bedard-Gilligan, M., Mello, P.G., Kline, A.C., Zoellner, L.A., & Feeny, N.C. (2014, October). Investigating homework “dose”, type and helpfulness as predictors of clinical outcomes in Prolonged Exposure for PTSD. In A.A. Cooper (Chair), Inside the “black box” of treatment for PTSD: Processes and pathways of symptom change. Symposium accepted to the meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Miami, FL.

Graham, B.P.M, Garcia, N.M., Cooper, A.A., Burton, M.S., Zoellner, L.A., & Feeny, N.C. (2014, October). Early response as a predictor of treatment outcome in PTSD. In A. A. Cooper (Chair), Inside the “black box” of treatment for PTSD: Processes and pathways of symptom change. Symposium accepted to the meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Miami, FL.

Graham, B.P.M., Cooper, A.A., Bedard-Gilligan, M.S., Burton, M., Zoellner, L., & Feeny, N. (2014, October). Well begun is half done: the role of early reactions, expectations and alliance. In M. S. Burton (Chair), Informing empirically validated treatments for PTSD: We know what treatments are most effective, but where do we go from here? Symposium accepted to the meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Miami, FL.

Marks, E.G., Cooper, A.A., Graham, B.P.M., Garcia, N.M., Zoellner, L.A., & Feeny, N.C. (2014, October). Idiographic trajectories of change during prolonged exposure and sertraline treatment for PTSD. In A. A. Cooper (Chair), Inside the “black box” of treatment for PTSD: Processes and pathways of symptom change. Symposium accepted to the meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Miami, FL.

Bergman, H.E., Feeny, N.C., & Zoellner, L. A. (2014, March). Understanding the role of negative cognitions in PTSD treatment choice. Poster presented at the meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Chicago, IL.

Burton, M., Feeny, N., & Zoellner, L. (2014, March). The relationship between childhood trauma and dissociation in adults with PTSD. Poster presented at the meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Chicago, IL.

Bradley, D.F. & Exline, J.J. Variations in atheists’ reactions to “God” in response to suffering. Symposium presenter. American Psychological Association Division 36 Mid-Year Conference on Religion and Spirituality, Columbia, MD, March 2013.

Bergman, H.E., Brennan, E., Feeny, N.C., & Zoellner, L.A. (2013, November). The influence of PTSD diagnostic category, treatment history, and treatment beliefs on PTSD treatment choice. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Nashville, TN.

Brennan, E., Rytwinski, N., Feeny, N.C., & Zoellner, L. A. (2013, November). Negative cognitions in survivors of sexual assault in a chronic PTSD sample: The experience of childhood sexual assault, adult sexual assault, or both. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Nashville, TN.

Burton, M., Feeny, N.C., & Zoellner, L. (2013, November). Dissociation and PTSD symptom presentation. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Nashville, TN.

Clifton, E.G., Feeny, N.C., & Zoellner, L.A. (2013, November). Optimal emotional engagement in imaginal exposure for PTSD: Examining patterns across time. In C. McLean (Chair), Recent findings on prolonged exposure treatment and its mechanisms. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Philadelphia, PA.

Keller, S., Jun, J., Feeny, N., Zoellner, L., & Hayes, A. (2013, November). A case example of engagement with imaginal exposure during PE for chronic PTSD. In J. Jun (Chair), In-session elements contributing to therapeutic change during PTSD treatment. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Philadelphia, PA.

Zoellner, L., Feeny, N., Roy-Byrne, P., & Mavissakalian, M. (2013, August). Doubly randomized preference trial in PTSD : Prolonged exposure versus sertraline. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Honolulu, HI.

Bergman, H.E., Rytwinski, N.K., Feeny, N.C., & Zoellner, L. A. (2013, April). The influence of negative cognitions and treatment history on treatment beliefs and PTSD treatment choice. Poster presented at the meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, La Jolla, CA.

Burton, M., Feeny, N.C., & Zoellner, L. (2013, April). The presentation of dissociation and rumination within PTSD: evidence for independent cognitive mechanisms. Poster presented at the meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, La Jolla, CA.

Brennan, E., Bergman, H., Rytwinski, N., Feeny, N., & Zoellner, L. (2012, November). Childhood sexual assault and negative cognitions among women with PTSD. Poster presented at the meeting of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, Los Angeles, CA.

Clifton, E.G., Feeny, N.C., & Zoellner, L.A. (2012, November). Factors impeding emotional engagement in prolonged exposure therapy. Poster presented at the meeting of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, Los Angeles, CA.

Keller, S.M., Feeny, N.C., & Zoellner, L. A. (2012, November). Early therapeutic alliance a predictor of homework adherence in prolonged exposure for posttraumatic stress disorder. In S. Keller (Chair), Expanding our understanding: Exploring various processes of change in PTSD treatment. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Los Angeles, CA.

Rytwinski, N.K., Roy-Byrne, P.P., Zoellner, L.A., & Feeny, N.C. (2012, November). Prolonged exposure versus sertraline: Do these treatments affect perceptions of physical health? In N. Rytwinski (Chair), Beyond PTSD symptoms: Improvements in physical, cognitive, and social functioning following PTSD treatment. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, National Harbor, MD.

Bergman, H.E., Feeny, N.C., & Zoellner, L.A. (2012, April). Validation of the Beliefs Questionnaire: examining underlying beliefs of PTSD treatment choice. Poster presented at the meeting of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, Arlington, VA.

Caldwell, D., McDaniel, L., Zoellner, L., Brennan, E., Rosoff, C., & Feeny, N. (2011, November). Gender differences in credibility and personal reactions to treatment options for PTSD. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Toronto, Canada.

Defever, E.G., Rytwinski, N., Feeny, N.C., & Zoellner, L.A. (2011, November). Depression as a mediator between posttraumatic stress symptoms and guilt. Poster presented at the meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies in Baltimore, MD.