Predictors of Inpatient Violence
PI: Evan Waldheter, David Penn, Ph.D.
Funded by: None

For his master's thesis, Evan studied social cognitive and other predictors of inpatient violence among individuals with a severe mental illness at John Umstead Hospital in Butner, NC. 

See related publication: Waldheter, E.J., Jones, N.T., Johnson, E.R., & Penn, D.L. (2005). Utility of
social cognition and insight in the prediction of inpatient violence among individuals with a severe mental illness. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 193, 609-618.

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Prospective contact and persons with severe mental illness: A stigma-reduction strategy
PI: Shannon Couture, David Penn, Ph.D.
Funded by: None

See related publications: Couture, S.M. & Penn, D.L. (2006) The effects of prospective naturalistic contact on the stigma of mental illness. Journal of Community Psychology, 34(5), 635-645.

Couture, S.M. & Penn, D.L. (2003) Interpersonal contact and the stigma of mental illness: A review of the literature. Journal of Mental Heath, 12, 291-305.

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Pathways to Care in First Episode Psychosis
PI: Abigail Judge, B.A.; Co-I: Diana Perkins, M.D., David Penn, Ph.D. Sue Estroff, Ph.D.
Funded by: UNC Psychiatry

Abigail’s master's thesis was entitled “Recognizing and Responding to Early Psychosis: A Qualitative Analysis of Individual Narratives.” Early intervention in schizophrenia depends on a clearer understanding of how individuals recognize emerging psychosis and seek help, processes which remain poorly understood. This project utilized a qualitative, narrative method to explore when and how individuals recognize changes in themselves, as well as what circumstances give rise to help-seeking behaviors. Findings suggest important differences in how individuals and clinicians perceive emerging psychosis with implications for future quantitative investigations and psychosocial programming.

See related publications: Judge, A., Perkins, D. O., Nieri, J., & Penn, D. L. (2005). Pathways to care in first episode psychosis: A pilot study on help-seeking precipitants and barriers to care. Journal of Mental Health, 14, 465-469.

Judge, A.M., Estroff, S.E., Perkins, D.O. & Penn, D.L. (2008). Recognizing and responding to early psychosis: A qualitative analysis of individual narratives. Psychiatric Services, 59(1), 96-99.

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The Effects of Effort, Interest, and Non-Specific Social Factors on Wisconsin Card Sorting Performance in Schizophrenia
PI: Dave Roberts, M. A., David Penn, Ph.D.
Funded by: None

This thesis is examining the influence of non-specific factors and motivation on performance on the WCST in individuals with chronic schizophrenia.

See related publication: Roberts, D. & Penn, D. L. (in press). The effects of task engagement and interpersonal rapport on WCST performance in schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation.

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Predictors of Group Alliance
PI: David Johnson, David Penn, Ph.D.
Funded by: Stanley Foundation

For his master's thesis, Dave studied client characteristics that predicted the strength of the group alliance in the context of a group treatment outcome study comparing CBT to Supportive Therapy for individuals with treatment resistant auditory hallucinations. 

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A Preliminary Trial of Adherence-Coping-Education (ACE) Therapy for First-Episode Schizophrenia
PI: Sarah Uzenoff, David Penn, Ph.D.
Funded by: Stanley Foundation

Sarah ’s master’s thesis evaluates the efficacy of Adherence-Coping-Education (ACE) therapy, a cognitively-oriented therapy for individuals with first-episode psychosis that was developed and piloted at UNC. As non-adherence to medication and relapse are significant problems for individuals recovering from a first episode of psychosis, this therapy was designed specifically to target patients’ medication adherence and attitudes towards medication. It also focuses on promoting healthy coping skills and rebuilding social, family, and work relationships that may have been disrupted by the individual’s illness. Sarah’s thesis analyzes data from a randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial.

See related publication: Uzenoff, S. R., Perkins, D. O., Hamer, R. M., Wiesen, C. A., & Penn, D. L. (2008). A preliminary trial of Adherence-Coping-Education (ACE) therapy for early psychosis. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 196, 572-575.

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Social Cognition Interaction Training (SCIT) for Autism
PI: Tim Perry, David Penn, Ph.D.
Funded by: Autism Speaks

Tim ’s master’s thesis involves adapting the Social Cognition Interaction Training (SCIT) intervention for use with adults and adolescents with high-functioning autism.  Additionally, Tim’s thesis will examine the relationship between social impairment and psychological distress (depression, anxiety) in this population before and after intervention.

See related publication: Turner-Brown, L.M., Perry, T.D., Dichter, G.S., Bodfish, J.W., & Penn, D.L. (2008). Brief report: feasibility of social cognition and interaction training for adults with high functioning autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 1777-1784.

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Social Skill Deficits in Adolescents at Genetic High Risk for Psychosis
PI: Clare Marks, David Penn, Ph.D., Asyenil Belger, PhD
Funded by: NIMH

Clare’s thesis is part of a longitudinal study at UNC’s Conte Center entitled “Prospective Studies of the Pathogenesis of Schizophrenia.” Clare’s research looks at social skill and social cognition in adolescents at genetic high risk for psychosis (GHR). To assess social skill, participants completed a short behavioral performance task. Their performance was evaluated with a theoretically-derived rating manual developed by Clare and David Penn. Social cognition, specifically Theory of Mind, was measured with the Eyes Test. Clare plans to compare the GHR group with a healthy control group. This area of research is critical because it raises the possibility that poor social behavior could be a marker of disease vulnerability and target those who would benefit from early disease intervention and prevention.

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Development of the Conversational Assessment of Social Skills (CASS)
PI: Allison Bassett, David Penn, Ph.D.
Funded by: Autism Speaks

This project will develop a peer-based role play measure of social skills for adolescents and young adults with high-functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome.

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