Abstract Addiction to drugs and alcohol is a widespread, and ever-growing problem in American society today. Individuals who undergo treatment for their addiction often find it difficult to gain employment due to employers' negative perceptions of addiction. Previous research has found that many employers have a stigma of those in addiction recovery. However, little research has been done to determine if these stigmas affect hiring decisions. Drug and alcohol misuse are prominent in the Appalachian area, which presents an issue for employers in the area who maintain a drug-free work place or who have a stigma of those in addiction recovery. The proposed study will assess employers’ attitudes towards applicants who have a history of substance misuse and/or are in treatment for substance misuse, with specific focus on self-reported likelihood of hiring an applicant who is in recovery. We hypothesize that employers will report a decreased likelihood of hiring individuals who are in recovery for substance misuse. Participants who are at least eighteen years of age and English-speaking will complete a survey on the REDCap web platform that includes a subset of questions from the Addiction Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (AABS). Items that will be used to assess employers’ attitudes were adapted from the Substance Use Stigma Mechanisms Scale (SU-SMS) and the Perceived Stigma Addiction Scale (PSAS). The proposed study is part of a larger study that is assessing attitudes and beliefs toward addiction among employers and within faith communities, as well as perceived stigmas experienced by those who are living with addiction or have a history of substance misuse, with particular emphasis on attitudes within the Appalachian Highlands community. Possible limitations of this proposed study include the lack of generalizability since employers in the Appalachian area may not be representative of the overall population. Another possible limitation is the use of self-report measures. Participants may not be willing to report accurately due to the sensitivity of the topic. If results of the proposed study support our hypothesis, further research should look at ways to reduce stigma and support employers in hiring those in addiction recovery. Existing research suggests that employment is vital for addiction treatment success and is associated with a decreased likelihood of relapse, making the need for the amelioration of this stigma imperative in dealing with the addiction crisis.

No description available.

Abstract available through the Annals of Behavioral Medicine.

Abstract available through the Annals of Behavioral Medicine.

Abstract available through the Annals of Behavioral Medicine.

Several studies have argued that congregations are better at bonding internally rather than bridging social capital. The critique suggests that most congregations tend to internally orient relationship building activities within the confines of their membership to the detriment of promoting activities that increase social capital through expanding the connections within communities, regions, and common causes. While this critique ignores the substantial collaborative work done to promote issues such as racial equality and right to life, it is often the case that congregations prefer a “go it alone approach” or defer to parachurch organizations when addressing pressing social issues such as addiction, behavioral health, and homelessness. Collaborative efforts involving multiple congregations do occur but they are relatively rare and often occur within churches of the same denomination. Even more rare is collaboration between multiple congregations and community not for profits (e.g., United Way agencies), municipal departments (e.g., police, public housing) and both public and private universities.

Abstract available through the Annals of Behavioral Medicine.

Trauma-informed Care (TIC) is a paradigm that has gained much traction in medical and human services settings over the past decade, motivated by the recent research findings that many poor physical, mental, and behavioral outcomes are more likely in individuals who experienced trauma in childhood (Adverse Childhood Experiences [ACEs]) such as abuse and neglect. The TIC paradigm, offered as novel, seems to be a secular repackaging of the biblical mandate to love our neighbors (Mark 12:31; Gal 5:14). The central tenets of TIC include feeling empathy with and demonstrating empathy toward others in their suffering; understanding that having experienced past traumatic events changes a person physically, mentally, and emotionally; that efforts should be made to prevent retraumatization; and that every person is valuable and has strengths that can be cultivated. Empathy, or feeling what other feel, is taught in Rom 12:15, “Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep,” and Gal 6:2, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Having an understanding of the pain experienced by those who have experienced trauma and caring for that suffering part of the body is clearly a biblical concept. Paul states, in 1 Cor 12:25-26, “This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.” This supports the emphasis on empathy as well. The ACE Study which sparked the development of the TIC paradigm, highlights the likely impacts of adversity on children who have been treated unjustly. Throughout the Bible, those who follow God’s principles are instructed to care for the child, the weak, and those experiencing injustice (Isa 1:17, “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”). Finally, in teaching the tenets of TIC, we foster a belief that everyone has value and we should help each other to capitalize on strengths. Hebrews 10:24 echoes this by saying, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” How do we know people have strengths to be capitalized upon? Rom 12:6 says, “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well,” and 1 Pet 4:10 says, “Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace.” ​ I and a colleague have been teaching TIC principles to health care professionals and human service workers over the past two years. We have trained almost 2,000 people in these concepts. It has been embraced like nothing I have seen in my three decades in the psychological and counseling profession. Is it that our secularized society is hungry for biblical wisdom? Is it that He who created us knows best what we need? I can’t say, but our current research seeks to verify effects as organizations implement TIC.

Abstract available through the Annals of Behavioral Medicine.

Stress, self-esteem, depression, and disordered eating were analyzed among three groups of pregnant women in Tennessee Intervention for Pregnant Smokers (TIPS): never smoked, smoked but quit prior to birth, and smoked but did not quit prior to birth.