Improving Care for Survivors of Gun Violence

Survivors of gun violence have significant sequelae including mental health disorders that often go undiagnosed and untreated. Survivors of gun violence are at high risk for both re-injury with a firearm as well as interaction with the criminal justice system. These poor outcomes for survivors of gun violence contribute to the cycle of gun violence that plague communities across the United States. Learning from historical public health successes, survivors of gun violence are an important population for targeted secondary prevention efforts. Despite this, the mechanisms for these outcomes among survivors of gun violence are largely unknown and there is a dearth of research on effective prevention strategies. Combining qualitative and quantitative research methods, I sought to better describe the experience of recovery for survivors of gun violence, conduct a pilot study of a mental health intervention for post-traumatic stress symptoms, and describe the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on community violence in Connecticut (CT). In Aim 1, I used a qualitative research study design and a community-based participatory research approach to better understand how Black male gunshot wound survivors in the United States describe their experience of recovery and their perceptions of their mental, emotional and social health following the event. We conducted in-depth interviews with 20 Black male gunshot wound survivors from New Haven, CT. This study identified five themes which define the psychological recovery after intentional injury from gun violence as well as describe the various strategies used by survivors of gun violence to cope with a disrupted sense of safety when returning to their communities. In the secondary analysis of the data, I found that participants described distrust for the police and an ecology of guns that confers symbolic, social and strategic meaning to owning a gun. These findings suggest that barriers to mental health treatment may be addressed through “credible messengers” who can develop relationships of trust with this high-risk population and that interventions to decrease gun violence should address the cultural value of a gun as well as focus on improving police relations with racial/ethnic minoritized communities. In Aim 2, I designed a pilot study evaluating the feasibility of completing a randomized controlled trial to test the Screening and Tool for Awareness and Relief of Trauma (START), a targeted mental health intervention developed for patients that come from communities of color with sustained and persistent trauma. I conducted the study at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, CT through the YNHH Violence Intervention Program beginning in January 2020. For a variety of reasons but most notably due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, only 11 patients were enrolled in the study. With this small cohort, I was able to conclude that (1) Successful recruitment hinges on enrollment in the local hospital-based violence intervention program and the effectiveness of credible messengers in the organization; (2) The START techniques would be improved by additional audiovisual resources; (3) The novel survey to measure alienation is reliable and (4) Testing the START intervention may be most successful in a stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial design so that all centers in the study will receive the intervention. In Aim 3, I examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on community violence in the state of Connecticut (CT). Through the CT Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program Collaborative, I used the trauma registries from Yale New Haven Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, and Hartford Hospital to collect data on all violence-related trauma presentations in the emergency room from January 1st, 2018 to January 1st, 2021. I compared the pattern of violence-related trauma presentation from pre- and post-COVID-19 using an interrupted time series linear regression model, adjusted for seasonality. Using this data set, we stratified the analysis by race and ethnicity (Black/Latino patients compared with white patients) to determine whether race and ethnicity acted as an effect modifier on community violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. My analysis demonstrated a 55% increase in violence-related trauma presentations overall, a 61% increase in violence-related trauma presentations among racial/ethnic minoritized patients, and a 76% increase in penetrating injuries in the post-COVID time period as compared with the pre-COVID time period. In summary, I described the experience of recovery for survivors of gun violence, piloted a targeted mental health intervention to mitigate symptoms of post-traumatic stress for this high-risk population and studied the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on community violence in Connecticut

Working Playbill

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film Harkin\u27s Hall Auditorium Working, A Musical from the book by Studs Terkel. Adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso October 17-19 & 24-26, 1980 Director, John Garrity Musical Director, Reginald B. Haller, O.P. Scenery and Lighting, Jim Eddy Choreography, Patricia Hogan Costumes, Mary G. Farrell Stage Manager, Eileen Barron The Cast: Frank L. Bagli, Mary Ellen Baxter, Patricia A. Carver, Julianne Coggins, Joe D\u27Antuono, Jane Dillon, Mary Donovon, Wally Dunn, Frank Gorrell, Debbie Haberlin, Joseph Henderson, Michael Kelley, Jim Lambert, Julie Marrinucci, Maggie McDonald, Lee A. Merkle, Paul G. Morin, Matt Oliverio, Sue Schafer, Debbie Thibert, Marc D. Tondreauhttps://digitalcommons.providence.edu/working_pubs/1003/thumbnail.jp

Professor Rombauer as Achiever and Scholar

No doubt the editors of the Washington Law Review asked me to write this introduction because, as Director of Basic Legal Skills at the University of Washington School of Law, I inherited a program that Marjorie Rombauer established. Unfortunately, I am far more conscious of the impact that Professor Rombauer has had on my career than I am knowledgeable about her career. Still, ignorance of one\u27s subject need not be an obstacle to publication, and so I accepted. But even if I were more qualified for this task, I would be doomed. For, in the few months since I arrived here, I have discovered that Professor Rombauer is a woman of innumerable and diverse achievements, cultivated hobbies (among which is playing the accordion!), and magnanimity who deserves a full-scale biography. So, if I fail to do her justice, blame not me, but (as my students would say) the page limit

A Streetcar Named Desire Playbill

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film Harkins Hall Auditorium A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams Feb. 27 - March 1 & March 6-8, 1981 Director, Mary G. Farrell Scenery and Lighting, Jim Eddy Costume Design, Martina Flynn Stage Manager, Meghan Lynch Original Music and Music Consultation, Skip Buss The Cast: Spanish Woman - Elizabeth Whelan, Eunice Hubbell - Lee Merkel, Stanley Kowalski - Joe Trimble, Stella Kowalski - Mary Ellen Baxter, Steve Hubbell - Joseph Henderson, Harold Mitchell (Mitch) - Wally Dunn, Blanch Dubois - Kathleen O\u27Neill, Pablo Gonzales - Joseph J. Menino, A Young Collector - Matt Oliverio, Doctor - Frank Gorrell, Jr., People of the Street - Jane Dillon, Frank Gorrell, Jr., Joseph Henderson, Joseph J. Menino, Matt Oliverio, Elizabeth Whelanhttps://digitalcommons.providence.edu/streetcar_pubs/1003/thumbnail.jp

Zayed University, United Arab Emirates: Adult Educators as Midwives of Emiratization

The purpose of the study is to identify the business communications skills entry-level managers in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates need and to use this to inform program development in order to promote emiratization

Communication Channels Utilized by Emirati Females to Enact Leadership

The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify the communication channels six Emirati females concurrently employed in organizations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in which they had supervisory responsibilities; formal, legitimate authority; and positional leadership roles recalled using with their direct reports to enact leadership. In particular, the study attempted to ascertain the reasons for the selection of communication channels when engaged in downward communication with organizational subordinates. Data were collected via three interviews with each participant over a four week period. Interviews were conducted both face-to-face and via telephone. Data were analyzed via thematic content analysis to identify themes, patterns, and/or trends in communication channels selected and the reasons for selection of these channels when engaged in downward communication with direct reports. Findings indicated the participants’ preferred channel of communication when engaged in downward communication with their direct reports was face-to-face. Frequently face-to-face communication was reinforced via written follow-up. Encoding negative messages via written channels was found to be vigorously avoided except in the most extreme cases. Cultural factors were indicated to be influential in the participants’ selection of communication channel. The findings of this study have workplace preparation and training applications for private sector organizations, government, and state-owned enterprises in Abu Dhabi—in particular, those organizations in which expatriates have supervisory responsibilities; formal, legitimate authority; and positional leadership responsibilities in relation to Emirati direct reports. The electronic version of this dissertation is accessible at the OhioLINK ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu

Communication Channels Utilized by Emirati Females to Enact Leadership

The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify the communication channels six Emirati females concurrently employed in organizations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in which they had supervisory responsibilities; formal, legitimate authority; and positional leadership roles recalled using with their direct reports to enact leadership. In particular, the study attempted to ascertain the reasons for the selection of communication channels when engaged in downward communication with organizational subordinates. Data were collected via three interviews with each participant over a four week period. Interviews were conducted both face-to-face and via telephone. Data were analyzed via thematic content analysis to identify themes, patterns, and/or trends in communication channels selected and the reasons for selection of these channels when engaged in downward communication with direct reports. Findings indicated the participants’ preferred channel of communication when engaged in downward communication with their direct reports was face-to-face. Frequently face-to-face communication was reinforced via written follow-up. Encoding negative messages via written channels was found to be vigorously avoided except in the most extreme cases. Cultural factors were indicated to be influential in the participants’ selection of communication channel. The findings of this study have workplace preparation and training applications for private sector organizations, government, and state-owned enterprises in Abu Dhabi—in particular, those organizations in which expatriates have supervisory responsibilities; formal, legitimate authority; and positional leadership responsibilities in relation to Emirati direct reports. The electronic version of this dissertation is accessible at the OhioLINK ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu

Concurrent Session, The Military: Critical First Year College Experience Learning Community Seminar

Military troops are returning from combat and entering colleges that may not be prepared to help them succeed. This workshop will use digital stories to illustrate a course developed by Bunker Hill Community College with the goal of fostering college and lifelong success among veterans