Student Research and Grants

AMHP Lab Dissertation Studies

The Pass & Play Project

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Study Investigator: Robert López Jr., M.A.

Using a multi-method approach, the goal of this project is to understand the link between social interactions and mental health in young adults. Participants complete a single 2-hour virtual laboratory visit (via Zoom) and a 4-week smartphone survey period. Study results hold the potential for informing treatment practices among high-risk groups. 

 

 

Friends and Stress Project

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Study Investigator: Anna Defayette, M.A.

The goal of this research is to better understand the link between peers, stress, and mental health in young adults. Participants complete a single 3-hour laboratory visit and a 4-week smartphone survey period. The laboratory visit includes a series of questionnaires, an audio/video-recorded group activity, and providing three saliva samples. The smartphone survey period includes six 1-2-minute surveys about sleep (once per day), peer-related events, and recent thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. 

Recruitment for the FAST Project is now complete. 

 

 

Implementation of an Electronic Safety Plan within a Measurement Feedback System

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Study Investigator: Emma Whitmyre, M.A. 

This study uses a mixed methods approach to evaluate the implementation process of an electronic safety plan (ESP) in an effort to better understand factors that promote and hinder the adoption and effective use of ESPs for youth. The ESP will be delivered via a measurement feedback system, within two community-based clinical psychology training clinics, that offer treatment for youth at risk for suicide. Clinicians will complete an ESP with youth who report suicidal thoughts, plans, or behaviors in the context of clinical care.

This study holds the potential to yield preliminary data to inform implementation practices and service delivery of safety plans to high risk youth and families in clinical settings. Successful implementation of ESP may help reduce youth suicide attempts. Electronic safety planning through a MFS, as well as other electronic methods, has the potential to be widely disseminated and scaled-up across mental health settings, increasing access to and quality of this intervention. In the longer term, the present study will also lay the groundwork for a larger-scale implementation study.

 

 

Recent Student Grants and Awards

 

2021

Association for Psychological Science Student Grant Competition
Awardee: Robert Lopez, Jr.
Amount: $500

George Mason University Summer Research Fellowship
Awardee: Robert Lopez, Jr.
Amount: $7,000

Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (SCCAP) Diversity Travel Award
Awardee: Robert Lopez, Jr.
Amount: $300
 
American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) Psychology Science Research Grant (Diversity)
Awardee: Robert Lopez, Jr.
Amount: $1,000
 
Society for Multivariate Experimental Psychology (SMEP) Underrepresented Student Workshop Fellowship
Awardee: Robert Lopez, Jr.
Amount: $495

 

2020

American Psychological Association Dissertation Research Award
Awardee: Anna Defayette
Amount: $1,000

Mamie Phipps Clark Diversity Research Grant, Psi Chi 
Awardee: Anna Defayette
Amount: $1,500

Society for Multivariate Experimental Psychology (SMEP) Underrepresented Student Workshop Fellowship
Awardee: Robert Lopez, Jr.
Amount:$1,000

 

2019

American Psychological Foundation/Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology Graduate Student Research Scholarship
Awardee: Anna Defayette
Amount: $2,000

Society for Multivariate Experimental Psychology (SMEP) Underrepresented Student Workshop Fellowship
Awardee: Robert Lopez, Jr.
Amount:$1,000

Graduate Student Summer Research Fellowship, George Mason University Psychology Department
Awardee: Anna Defayette
Amount: $2,000

Graduate Student Summer Research Fellowship, George Mason University Psychology Department
Awardee: Emma Whitmyre
Amount: $1,000

Diversity Advancement Award, George Mason University
Awardee: Robert Lopez, Jr.
Amount:$1,600

Graduate Student Travel Fund Award, George Mason University Office of Graduate Education
Awardee: Anna Defayette
Amount: $350

Graduate Student Travel Fund Award, George Mason University Office of Graduate Education
Awardee: Emma Whitmyre
Amount: $350

Graduate Student Travel Fund Award, George Mason University Office of Graduate Education
Awardee: Robert Lopez, Jr.
Amount: $150

 

2018

Summer Research Grant, George Mason University
Awardee:Robert Lopez, Jr.
Amount:$2,000

Graduate Student Travel Fund Award, George Mason University Office of Graduate Education
Awardee: Anna Defayette
Amount: $350

 

2017

Graduate Student Travel Fund Award, George Mason University Office of Graduate Education
Awardee: Anna Defayette
Amount: $350

Graduate Student Travel Fund Award, George Mason University Office of Graduate Education (November)
Awardee: Emma Whitmyre
Amount: $350

Graduate Student Travel Fund Award, George Mason University Office of Graduate Education (May)
Awardee: Emma Whitmyre
Amount: $350

Graduate Student Travel Fund Award, George Mason University Office of Graduate Education
Awardee: Robert Lopez, Jr.
Amount: $350