Perspectives on Allyship in Academia

Allyship in academia is critical for creating inclusive communities that are welcoming to all students, but the perception of its benefits and challenges can vary depending on a number of factors. This session will explore perspectives of allyship in academia by bringing together a diverse group of faculty and students who can share a wide range of experiences and insights, and aims to facilitate a discussion among all attendees that leads to an exchange of ideas, the strengthening of our community, and progress toward our common goal of inclusion in computing

J-Lo’s Story: Can the Diva and the Genius Co-Exist?

It was an average March day in Arizona. J-Lo sat in Algebra class, wearing her favorite Baby Girl t-shirt and a pair of jeans. She and her friend Clara were tipsy from sipping on a Gatorade bottle filled with a clever mix of Lemon-Lime tastiness and vodka. But J-Lo’s behavior wasn’t so clever. She decided to interject her daily commentary on the day’s lesson. “Mr. A, this class is so boring!” He noticed that she slurred her speech and seemed more disconnected than usual. One whiff of her potent concoction, and the teacher knew right away why J-Lo seemed to be on another planet. The teacher quickly called security and passed over the incriminating Gatorade bottle. But the next day to the disdain of her teacher, JLo loudly bounced into class with a wicked smile, boldly declaring a moral victory over an inferior administration. J-Lo was a smooth talker. Despite the fact that this incident really did happen, I can’t say that J-Lo is unintelligent. In fact, Jennifer “J-Lo” Lorenzo is an Honors student in my Geometry class at North High School and happens to be of Mexican descent

Comparison of Three Methods for Measuring Smoking Behavior

Understanding the factors that influence regular tobacco use often involves detailed assessment of individuals\u27 smoking behavior (i.e., puff topography), including measuring puff number, volume, duration, and inter-puff interval (IPI) via mouthpiece-based, computerized devices. For example, puff topography measurement has been used to study smoking cessation medications, as well as to demonstrate brand-induced changes in smoking behavior. However, some research suggests that the use of a mouthpiece to evaluate puff topography may alter natural smoking behavior. Thus, this study was designed to compare topography measurement using mouthpiece-based methods (i.e., desktop and portable computerized devices) to methods that do not use a mouthpiece (i.e., direct observation via video recordings).Thirty smokers of full-flavor or light cigarettes (≥15 cigarettes/day) participated in six Latin-square ordered, 2.5-hour experimental sessions. Sessions were separated by at least 48 hours, and were preceded by at least 8 hours of objectively-verified tobacco abstinence (i.e., CO level ≤10 ppm). Conditions differed by type of cigarettes smoked (own brand, Merit® Ultra-light) and by type of topography measurement method used (desktop, portable, video observation). All three measurement methods were sensitive to manipulations of cigarette brand (i.e., increased puff duration and volume for own brand relative to ultra-light; P 0.68). All methods were also reliable, as demonstrated by high correlations across cigarette bouts within each condition (most r\u27s \u3e 0.78). In contrast, participants perceived the use of either mouthpiece-based device to alter aspects of their smoking behavior (e.g., increased difficulty, reduced enjoyment, altered cigarette taste; P \u3c .05) relative to direct observation alone. Although direct observational methods may be optimal for measuring certain smoking characteristics, the many logistical challenges posed by this method likely limit its usefulness in a laboratory setting. Taken together, these results suggest that mouthpiece-based devices offer a convenient and useful tool for researchers examining smoking topography

A Systematic Review of Interventions Targeting Criminogenic Risk Factors Among Persons With Serious Mental Illness

OBJECTIVE: Individuals with serious mental illness are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Research has found that interventions targeting risk factors for recidivism (i.e., criminogenic risks) reduce justice involvement in the general correctional population. However, more needs to be learned regarding use of these interventions among individuals with serious mental illness. To this end, this systematic review synthesized research on interventions that target criminogenic risk factors and are delivered to justice-involved individuals with serious mental illness. METHODS: A systematic search of six computerized bibliographic databases from inception to 2021 yielded 8,360 potentially relevant studies. Title and abstract screening, full-text reviews, and data extraction were performed independently, and discrepancies were resolved through discussion. To identify additional articles meeting inclusion criteria, experts in the field were contacted, and reference-harvesting techniques were used. Study quality was assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies were identified that evaluated nine interventions delivered to justice-involved individuals with serious mental illness. All identified programs targeted criminogenic risk factors, were group based, and used cognitive-behavioral strategies. Study quality was moderate to high. Interventions were associated with improvements in recidivism, violence, and criminogenic risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: This review is the first to evaluate interventions targeting criminogenic risks among justice-involved individuals with serious mental illness. Findings suggest that outcomes associated with these interventions are promising. Given the overrepresentation of persons with serious mental illness in the criminal justice system, these findings provide an important step toward identifying services that curb justice involvement in this population

Tiny Homes Are Huge for People Living With Serious Mental Illness

Purpose: A formative evaluation examined the acceptability and feasibility of tiny homes for people living with serious mental illness (SMI). Methods: The evaluation included four focus groups with people with SMI and service providers ( n = 28) and eight overnight stays with people with SMI. Results: The analysis identified six recommendations for tailoring the design of the tiny homes and the community where the homes will be located to meet the needs of people living with SMI. The recommendations for the design of the tiny homes included maximize natural light and outdoor spaces, design flexible living spaces, and ensure accessibility. The recommendations for the design of the surrounding community included ensure privacy, build a community, and maximize residents’ connectivity. Conclusions: This research serves as a starting point for interventions that aim to develop housing that is both affordable and tailored to the needs of people with SMI

Perspectives on Allyship in Academia

Allyship in academia is critical for creating inclusive communities that are welcoming to all students, but the perception of its benefits and challenges can vary depending on a number of factors. This session will explore perspectives of allyship in academia by bringing together a diverse group of faculty and students who can share a wide range of experiences and insights, and aims to facilitate a discussion among all attendees that leads to an exchange of ideas, the strengthening of our community, and progress toward our common goal of inclusion in computing

Feasibility of recruiting in prisons during a randomized controlled trial with people with serious mental illness

BACKGROUND: Successful participant recruitment is vital to the feasibly of intervention research. In the behavioral and social sciences, intervention researchers face a myriad of recruitment barriers, many of which stem from working in real-world settings and among hard-to-access populations. Optimizing recruitment efforts requires being intentional about study planning and resource allocation, carefully documenting the outcomes of recruitment efforts, and developing and implementing procedures and strategies to overcome anticipated recruitment barriers. METHODS: The current article presents recruitment flowcharts to illustrate (a) the multistep recruitment process and (b) the points of potential participant attrition during recruitment from a two-phase group-based intervention study conducted among individuals with serious mental illness incarcerated in a state prison system in the U.S. In addition, qualitative methods are used to examine strategies employed during the study to support recruitment efforts. RESULTS: Despite challenges, this study was able to achieve recruitment goals. Analyses found the majority of potential participant attrition occurred prior to informed consent, highlighting the need for studies to track recruitment efforts in more detail than is currently recommended by commonly used guidelines. Strategies to optimize recruitment efforts included maximizing recruiter availability, developing a responsive communication approach, demonstrating respect for facility procedures and operations, and ensuring peak preparedness. CONCLUSION: Careful documentation of recruitment efforts and the early deployment of recruitment strategies is vital to the feasibility of intervention studies conducted in real-world settings with hard-to-access populations. The publication of recruitment procedures and outcomes can help future researchers anticipate recruitment challenges and inform recruitment goals, timelines, and strategies

Patterns in Medicaid Coverage and Service Utilization Among People with Serious Mental Illnesses

Disruptions in Medicaid adversely affect service use and outcomes among individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI). A retrospective longitudinal study examined Medicaid coverage and service utilization patterns among individuals with SMI (N = 8358) from 2007 to 2010. Only 36% of participants were continuously enrolled in Medicaid and 20% experienced multiple enrollment disruptions. Mental health diagnosis did not predict continuous coverage; however, individuals with schizophrenia were 19% more likely to have multiple coverage disruptions than those with depression (b = − 0.21; p < 0.01). Single and multiple coverage disruptions were associated with decreased rates of outpatient service days utilized (IRR = 0.77 and 0.65, respectively, p < 0.001) and decreased odds of not using acute care services (OR 0.26 and 0.19, respectively, p < 0.001). Future research should explore mechanisms underlying Medicaid stability and develop interventions that facilitate insurance stability and service utilization

Persons With Severe Mental Illnesses and Sex Offenses: Recidivism After Prison Release

Individuals who have committed sex offenses (ISOs) with severe mental illnesses are a complex population to serve and more research is needed to guide practice and policy, especially around community supervision, enrollment in Medicaid, housing, employment, criminal justice contacts, and reincarceration after prison reentry. To further the literature in this area, we used logistic regression to model recidivism and admissions to violator or prison facilities among 127 ISOs with severe mental illnesses and 2,935 people with severe mental illnesses who were incarcerated in prison for other crimes. Compared to prison releasees with severe mental illnesses who committed crimes other than sex offenses, prison releasees with severe mental illnesses who committed sex offenses were admitted to violator facilities at higher rates, when controlling for substance use, Medicaid enrollment, homelessness, and unemployment. Implications for practice, policy and research are discussed