Presentations:
iSPARC Symposium Opening Remarks: Maryann Davis, PhD, iSPARC Center Director
Addiction & Racial Disparities Research in Criminal-Legal Settings: Gina Vincent, PhD, Co-Director iSPARC Law & Psychiatry, and Spencer Lawson, PhD
Abstract: The Law & Psychiatry Program’s Research Arm within iSPARC works with the systems that impact criminal-legal involved youth and adults to a) implement and study the outcomes of evidence-based practices, and b) improve the lives of these individuals while protecting public safety. Two critical issues in these systems are treatment of addiction and reduction of the extreme racial disparities in incarceration. This presentation will highlight our work in these two areas, both of which are focal points of our Center of Excellence for Specialty Courts.
Leveraging Community Engagement to Address Alcohol Use Disorder Disparities in the Deaf Community: Melissa Anderson, PhD, Director DeafYES and Alex Wilkens, PhD
Abstract: Hearing individuals have access to dozens of validated treatments for alcohol use disorder, yet there are no evidence-based treatments to treat any behavioral health condition with Deaf clients. Available behavioral health treatments fail to meet Deaf clients’ unique language access needs. Leveraging extensive community engagement to address these barriers, Dr. Anderson and Dr. Wilkins have led teams of Deaf and hearing researchers, clinicians, filmmakers, actors, artists, and Deaf people in recovery to develop and evaluate innovative treatment adaptations that are uniquely and expertly tailored for Deaf signing people. This presentation will outline our process of community engaged intervention development, as well as showcase examples of completed interventions and interventions currently in the works.
Prioritizing the lived experience of young adults with mental health conditions in mental health services research: Kathryn Sabella, PhD, Deputy Director Transitions ACR
Abstract: Dr. Sabella will provide an overview of her research that prioritizes the lived experiences of young adults with mental health conditions. Pulling from qualitative and quantitative research, this presentation will summarize young adults’ experiences managing their mental health conditions while pursuing normative school and work activities, how many young adults explore gender identities over time, and how young adults prefer to be asked about their gender identity. It will also offer a preview of emerging lines of research on alcohol consumption among young adult women and young mothers.
Racial, Ethnic, and Area-Based Differences in Protective Factor Prevalence Among Predisposition Youth: Nana Yaa Marfo, PhD, iSPARC Postdoc Fellow
Abstract: This presentation will discuss research in progress from the multi-state Youth Protective Factors Study. This research will examine whether there are significant differences between Black (n = 708), White (n = 600), and Latinx (n = 207) justice-involved youth from three states (N = 1879) with respect to the presence, composition and predictive value for recidivism of protective factors. Plans to explore how individual race may interact with area-based measures of social deprivation in the presence and value of youth protective factors will also be discussed.
