2009 |
Baucom, Katherine Jane Williams |
F31Activity Code Description: To provide predoctoral individuals with supervised research training in specified health and health-related areas leading toward the research degree (e.g., Ph.D.). |
Prevention of Marital Distress in Low-Income Couples Transitioning to Parenthood @ University of California Los Angeles
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Recent research has shown that the quality of marital relationships is inextricably linked to physical and mental health of the individuals in the relationship. Included in the wide-ranging negative health outcomes associated with marital distress, individuals in distressed marriages are at greater risk for mortality relative to spouses in non-distressed marriages (Robles &Kiecolt-Glaser, 2003). The impacts of marital distress do not end with the spouses in the marriage;children of distressed couples who are exposed to characteristically high levels of conflict suffer negative mental and physical health consequences, such as externalizing and internalizing problems, depression, anxiety, and physical problems (El-Sheikh, Hargar, &Whitson, 2001). Recent government initiatives take into account the importance of the marital relationship on children;the Healthy Marriage Initiative (2005) defined a healthy marriage as "a mutually satisfying relationship that is beneficial to the husband, wife, and children." The proposed prevention study seeks to intervene with couples during the transition to parenthood, a major life transition when marital satisfaction typically declines (Gottman &Notarius, 2002). A number of programs have been developed to prevent relationship and individual distress, but thus far no studies have examined effects of such programs in low-income couples. Given that low-income couples are at greater risk for a host of intra- and interpersonal problems, and often have unique circumstances and stressors that are not addressed in existing prevention programs (Karney &Bradbury, 2005), this proposal is timely. This study will examine the immediate and longitudinal effectiveness of a brief, cost-effective, preventive intervention designed for low-income couples during the transition to parenthood. Comparing Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (Jacobson &Christensen, 1998), an empirically supported treatment for couples, to treatment as usual in obstetrics clinics at a county hospital, this research will examine effects of the intervention on birth and infant health outcomes, as well as individual and relationship distress of the parents in a small sample of couples (N = 40 couples total). This study has important implications for public health. Given policy-makers'aims to support low-income couples in maintaining healthy marriages, it is imperative that interventions be implemented and researched in low-income communities. This study has the potential to inform future interventions and policies that affect low-income couples in particular, thereby improving the health and well-being of both partners and their families. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: My research, coursework, and clinical experiences in psychology have helped me to determine my long-term goal of teaching and conducting clinical research in academia. My training goals for this fellowship are outlined below: 1) My first goal is to gain additional knowledge about cultural factors and mental health in low-income Latino families. I will audit a course in the School of Medicine, "Hispanic Mental Health Issues and Treatment" (Psychiatry M231, Prof. Morales), that will increase my knowledge of factors that are particularly important in clinical work with Spanish-speaking couples. Another course I will audit to gain knowledge about mental health disparities is "Health and Mental Health Disparities from a Psychosocial and Cultural Perspective" (Psychiatry 264, Prof. Williams). These two courses will give me a better understanding of the population I will work with at Harbor-UCLA and specific contextual factors to focus on in the intervention groups. Furthermore, weekly meetings with Dr. Reina-Patton will help me to apply the knowledge to the population in the intervention at Harbor.
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1 |
2018 — 2021 |
Baucom, Katherine Jane Williams |
K23Activity Code Description: To provide support for the career development of investigators who have made a commitment of focus their research endeavors on patient-oriented research. This mechanism provides support for a 3 year minimum up to 5 year period of supervised study and research for clinically trained professionals who have the potential to develop into productive, clinical investigators. |
Couple-Based Lifestyle Intervention to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
Project Summary/Abstract Although health behavior change slows disease progression in adults at risk for type 2 diabetes, many participants in lifestyle intervention programs do not meet or maintain the health behavior or weight loss goals. There are strong links between the quality of romantic relationships and health. An intervention that seeks to improve health behaviors as well as relationship quality has the potential to create positive and lasting change in individuals at heightened risk for type 2 diabetes. The objective of the proposed research is to develop a couple-based lifestyle intervention for individuals with prediabetes and their partners. The specific aims of the research are: (1) To qualitatively describe partner influences on health behavior change in adults at risk for type 2 diabetes, as well as their preferences for couple-based lifestyle intervention, (2) to adapt a lifestyle intervention for individuals with prediabetes and their partners, and (3) to evaluate the intervention in a pilot trial of individuals with prediabetes and their partners. We will use semi-structured interviews to examine thematic patterns in experiences of partnered individuals who participated in individually-delivered lifestyle intervention, as well as individual variations within them (Specific Aim 1). Informed by these qualitative analyses, we next seek to develop a treatment manual with broad applicability by engaging community advisors from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds in the treatment development process (Specific Aim 2). Finally, we will carry out a feasibility and preliminary efficacy study to examine the acceptability of the intervention as well as preliminary outcome data on changes in health behaviors, health outcomes, and relationship functioning (Specific Aim 3). Over the course of the 5-year award, the candidate will participate in meetings with her mentoring team, coursework, clinical observation, and a series of career development workshops. These training activities will provide her with expertise in (1) health research with a focus on type 2 diabetes, (2) qualitative and mixed methods, and (3) community-based participatory research; as well as (4) strengthened skills in academic writing, clinical trial design, leadership, and the responsible conduct of research. The proposed research and associated career development activities will be overseen by a multidisciplinary team of senior scientists at the University of Utah. The candidate will make use of a range of resources across the University to carry out these activities, including the Department of Psychology, University of Utah Health Sciences, and the state-of-the-art clinical research facilities and services within the NIH-funded Utah Center for Clinical and Translational Science. The proposed career development activities detailed in this application will provide the necessary skills for the candidate to transition to independent investigator focused on interdisciplinary, mixed method, couple-based translational research to improve health.
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0.976 |