Psychological Research Paper Among the Top 10 Most-Read in Clinical Case Studies

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

March 23, 2015 County, Research

A research paper by University of Maine psychologists continues to be in the top 10 most-read articles in the journal Clinical Case Studies. The research focused on the effectiveness of two years of multicomponent treatment of severe body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in a 14-year-old girl. As defined by the American Psychiatric Association, BDD is a psychiatric disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts about perceived physical defects. A person with BDD can develop compensatory behaviors, depression and social withdrawal. Treatment at UMaine’s Psychological Services Center involved counseling two times per week and periodic home visits focused on exposure with response prevention (ERP) in conjunction with medication, case management, and crisis intervention. The two-year treatment resulted in partial remission of BDD, with significant reductions in obsessive-compulsive behavior and depression, and increased school attendance.

The journal article, “ERP, Medication, and Brief Hospitalization in the Treatment of an Adolescent With Severe BDD,” was authored by Rachel D. Burrows, a former UMaine graduate student who is now a clinical psychologist at Maine General Medical Center; graduate student Janine Slavec; Douglas W. Nangle, professor of psychology; and April C. O’Grady, director of the UMaine Psychological Services Center. It was published in February 2013.