Self-Management Transition Enhancement Program (STEP)
Almost 80% of adult gastroenterologists cite inadequacies in the preparation of patients transferred from pediatric to adult care [1]. The Self-Management Transition Enhancement Program is a three-year grant focused on the development of a transition to adult care program in pediatric IBD. This study, which is funded by a Career Development Award from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, is a collaboration between the Auburn University Department of Psychology and the patients, parents, clinicians, and researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The goals of this study are to identify patient, parent, and provider needs regarding transition to adult care and develop a program to address these needs and better prepare patients for transfer to adult care.
As we finish up recruitment at Cincinnati Children's, we are now partnering with local children's hospitals to disseminate STEP and help more families. Graduate students in the lab helped design the program materials and are also serving as clinical interventionists in the telehealth portion of the program.
As we finish up recruitment at Cincinnati Children's, we are now partnering with local children's hospitals to disseminate STEP and help more families. Graduate students in the lab helped design the program materials and are also serving as clinical interventionists in the telehealth portion of the program.
Freshman Experience Study
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What is it like to manage ADD/ADHD when away at college? How does moving away from home to living on your own impact ADHD management? What factors promote academic success in students with ADHD? The Freshman Experience Study is a qualitative exploration of these issues. Through interviews with freshman currently going through the transition to independence, we hope to learn about the unique challenges facing 9% of the college student population. Our next step is to partner with local organizations to enhance the transition to college for this population.
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Auburn University Freshman Adherence to Medication Study (AU-FAMS)
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As academic demands increase from high school to college, it is even more important for students with ADHD to be able to focus, pay attention, and stay organized. The Freshman Experience Study taught us about all of the challenges students with ADHD experience as they transition to independent health management during their first year at college. Given this, just how well do students with ADHD take their medication when on their own? This study uses electronic medication monitors to examine adherence to medical treatment in a cohort of students with ADHD. By looking at how well students with ADD/ADHD take their medication, the new struggles they face, and the impact of their health decisions on their academic success, we hope to better understand how we can help future students with ADD/ADHD here at Auburn as well as at other universities across the country. War Eagle!
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Smartphone-based Intervention to Improve Adherence
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Technology is an integral part of today's society. Adolescents and young adults are among the first adopters of new technology and 90% of individuals with a smartphone are within 3 feet of their phone, 24 hour hours a day. These factors make technology-based interventions an ideal medium through which adherence can be targeted. We are currently conducting a small pilot study examining the effectiveness of an adherence medication app and follow up "buddy" support to improve medication adherence in a cohort of adolescents and young adults with ADHD. Data from this study, combined with the Freshman Experience Study and AU-FAMS, will lay the groundwork for a future transition program for youth with ADHD.
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Validation of the PedsQL Food Allergy Module
Children with food allergy, who comprise approximately 10% of the pediatric population, and their families, experience a number of hardships in their lives. In addition to the daily stress of remaining vigilant to avoid exposure to allergens, families report a number of ways having a food allergy impacts their functioning. Although we know that child food allergies affect child and family psychosocial functioning, there currently is no culturally-validated method of assessing the impact of a child's food allergy on their quality of life. The current study is an extension of prior research focused on developing a food allergy module of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory.
Studies in Pediatric Obesity
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Although increased public awareness and government-based interventions have led to a leveling off of obesity rates in youth, one in three children/adolescents remains overweight or obese. Obesity is a particular problem in Alabama, which is ranked 3rd overall in terms of obesity rates in older adolescents. Over the next several years, our lab will engage in a variety of research studies focused on pediatric obesity. We are currently collecting data in a low SES, medically under-served area of Alabama. Future areas of research will include psychological and social correlates of obesity and community-based interventions to reduce health disparities.
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Studies in Health Management in Older Adolescents and Young Adults (Coming soon!)
Older adolescent and young adults are among the most under-served populations when it comes to medical care. Furthermore, this developmental period, filled with important life transitions, can make it difficult to manage one's health. Future projects in this area will examine young adult health care and health behaviors with the goal of developing clinical programs to better address the needs of this unique and important population.
1. Sebastian S, Jenkins H, McCartney S, et al. The requirements and barriers to successful transition of adolescents with inflammatory bowel
disease: Differing perceptions from a survey of adult and paediatric gastroenterologists. J Crohns Colitis. 2012; 6(8):830-844.
disease: Differing perceptions from a survey of adult and paediatric gastroenterologists. J Crohns Colitis. 2012; 6(8):830-844.
