Featured Publications
A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate a Cognitive Behavioral Videogame Intervention: empowerED
Fernandes C, Deng Y, Tran A, Hieftje K, Boomer T, Taylor C, Fiellin L. A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate a Cognitive Behavioral Videogame Intervention: empowerED. Games For Health Journal 2022, 12: 42-52. PMID: 36350349, PMCID: PMC10331148, DOI: 10.1089/g4h.2021.0118.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCognitive reappraisalBeliefs/attitudesVideogame interventionEmotion regulation strategiesCognitive reappraisal skillsSchool climateYouth mental health needsPilot RCTHigh school settingReappraisal skillsMental health needsRegulation strategiesYouth perceptionsPreliminary effectsSchool settingsControl conditionSkill developmentHealthy developmentPreliminary efficacyPerceptionReappraisalYouthAttitudesInterventionHealth needsEducator Perspectives: Selected Barriers to Implementation of School-Level Nutrition Policies
Fernandes CF, Schwartz MB, Ickovics JR, Basch CE. Educator Perspectives: Selected Barriers to Implementation of School-Level Nutrition Policies. Journal Of Nutrition Education And Behavior 2019, 51: 843-849. PMID: 30704936, DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2018.12.011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSchool-level policiesBasic needsSchool food policiesNutrition policiesSchool nutrition policiesSense of belongingStudent hungerEducators' responsesAssistant principalsClassroom policiesLocal educatorsEducatorsFood policyQualitative interviewsCultural normsFood insecurityEqual partnersUrban districtsPolicyPrincipalsTeachersImplementationSchoolsNeedReformPromoting Student Health and Well-Being with Digital Games
Fernandes, C. S. F., Boomer, T. M. P., Hieftje, K., Evanko, A., & Fiellin, L. E. (2021). Promoting Student Health and Well-Being with Digital Games. In Teaching in the Game-Based Classroom (pp. 121-135). Eye on Education.ChaptersEffectiveness of a Web-Based Tobacco Product use Prevention Videogame Intervention on Young Adolescents’ Beliefs and Knowledge
Hieftje KD, Fernandes CF, Lin IH, Fiellin LE. Effectiveness of a Web-Based Tobacco Product use Prevention Videogame Intervention on Young Adolescents’ Beliefs and Knowledge. Substance Abuse 2021, 42: 47-53. PMID: 31825759, DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2019.1691128.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTobacco product useVideogame interventionE-cigarettesElectronic cigarettesProduct useMcNemar testKnowledge questionsSingle group pre-post studyTobacco product initiationPre-post studySignificant differencesCigarette smokingProduct initiationTobacco useUse preventionHealthy beliefsPromising effectsKnowledge surveyInterventionVapingCigarettesDescriptive statisticsAdolescentsCorrect answersAge differencesMultidisciplinary Strategies for Preventing Opioid Misuse and Escalation by Targeting Mental Health Symptoms and Conditions
Yule A, Fernandes C, Stormshak E, Yang Y, Shelley L, Fiellin L, Larkin K, Ridenour T, Saavedra L, Kelleher K, Feng X, Walton M, Bonar E. Multidisciplinary Strategies for Preventing Opioid Misuse and Escalation by Targeting Mental Health Symptoms and Conditions. Prevention Science 2023, 24: 77-87. PMID: 37266870, PMCID: PMC10236392, DOI: 10.1007/s11121-023-01556-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMental health conditionsOpioid use disorderOpioid misuseMental health symptomsHealth conditionsHealth symptomsMental healthSubstance useEarly substance usePrevention interventionsHigh riskUse disordersMultidisciplinary strategyPrevention effortsIdentification of youthNational InstituteSymptomsHealthInterventionRiskMisuseAssociationA Video Game Intervention to Prevent Opioid Misuse Among Older Adolescents: Development and Preimplementation Study
Aneni K, Fernandes C, Hoerner L, Szapary C, Boomer T, Fiellin L. A Video Game Intervention to Prevent Opioid Misuse Among Older Adolescents: Development and Preimplementation Study. JMIR Serious Games 2023, 11: e46912. PMID: 37921851, PMCID: PMC10656656, DOI: 10.2196/46912.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid misuseVideo game interventionMental health crisisMental healthPreventive interventionsOlder adolescentsGame interventionHealth Belief ModelMental health risksHealth crisisComorbid conditionsCurrent opioidFocus groupsSubstance misuseMental disordersProtective factorsBelief ModelInterventionDigital interventionsAdolescentsHealth risksFormative workHealthMisuseRiskA Serious Video Game Targeting HIV Testing and Counseling: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Boomer T, Larkin K, Duncan L, Fernandes C, Fiellin L. A Serious Video Game Targeting HIV Testing and Counseling: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal Of Adolescent Health 2023, 74: 252-259. PMID: 37815773, PMCID: PMC10841098, DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.08.016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV testingPrimary outcome measureSecondary outcomesControlled TrialsHIV statusParental consent formsVideo game interventionOutcome measuresAge groupsConsent formTrialsMonthsWeeksGame interventionControl conditionOutcomesParticipantsCounselingStudy conditionsAdolescentsGroupSubjects ANOVASessionsParticipants' attitudesIntroduction to Helping to End Addiction Long-Term Prevention Cooperative: Overview and Strategies
Ridenour T, Saavedra L, Fernandes C, Cance J, Graham P, Oudekerk B. Introduction to Helping to End Addiction Long-Term Prevention Cooperative: Overview and Strategies. Prevention Science 2023, 24: 1-7. PMID: 36870020, PMCID: PMC9985075, DOI: 10.1007/s11121-023-01503-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSystematic Review of Interventions with Some School Involvement for School Refusal in High School–Age Adolescents
Fernandes, C.S.F., Kannoth, S., Pendergrass Boomer, T. M., Hieftje, K. D., & Fiellin, L. E. (2024). Systematic Review of Interventions with Some School Involvement for School Refusal in High School–Age Adolescents. Children & Schools, cdae003.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2023
Use of Immersive Virtual Reality Spaces to Engage Adolescent and Young Adult Patients With Cancer in Therapist-Guided Support Groups: Protocol for a Pre-Post Study
Marks A, Garbatini A, Hieftje K, Puthenpura V, Weser V, Fernandes C. Use of Immersive Virtual Reality Spaces to Engage Adolescent and Young Adult Patients With Cancer in Therapist-Guided Support Groups: Protocol for a Pre-Post Study. JMIR Research Protocols 2023, 12: e48761. PMID: 37943596, PMCID: PMC10667982, DOI: 10.2196/48761.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERYoung adult patientsSupport groupsAdult patientsYoung adultsMean attendance rateSupport group interventionNon-Hispanic blacksNon-Hispanic whitesOverall retention rateNon-Hispanic AsiansRare disease populationPeer support groupsFacilitated support groupBone marrow failureMedian ageCommon diagnosisPreliminary efficacyHematologic malignanciesDisease populationLife measuresPatientsFinal intervention sessionTransgender femalesPsychosocial supportA digital health game to prevent opioid misuse and promote mental health in adolescents in school-based health settings: Protocol for the PlaySmart game randomized controlled trial
Boomer T, Hoerner L, Fernandes C, Maslar A, Aiudi S, Kyriakides T, Fiellin L. A digital health game to prevent opioid misuse and promote mental health in adolescents in school-based health settings: Protocol for the PlaySmart game randomized controlled trial. PLOS ONE 2023, 18: e0291298. PMID: 37683047, PMCID: PMC10490848, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291298.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMental health outcomesOpioid misuseMental healthHealth gamesHealth outcomesMeasures of depressionMental health symptomsGreater riskHelp-seeking behaviorSecondary outcome measuresCritical developmental periodOpioid use disorderPerception of riskRisk of initiationHealth symptomsSchool gradesProfessional helpMisusing opioidsPrimary outcomeDevelopmental periodAdolescentsOutcome measuresSubstance misuseUse disordersHealth settingsA Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Evaluating the Efficacy of Stand-Alone Digital Interventions to Prevent Substance Use Among Adolescents
Aneni K, Meyer J, Funaro M, Pegram D, Umutoni F, Gomati de la Vega I, Jiao M, Fernandes C, Onyeaka H, Baiden P, Camenga D. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Evaluating the Efficacy of Stand-Alone Digital Interventions to Prevent Substance Use Among Adolescents. Current Addiction Reports 2023, 10: 378-395. DOI: 10.1007/s40429-023-00508-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSubstance useTobacco useLarge effect sizesSystematic reviewDigital interventionsEffect sizeSystematic literature searchBooster sessionsPrevention servicesPacific Islander groupsTrial studySignificant effect sizePrevent Substance UseMeta-AnalysisCannabis useLiterature searchAlcohol useEthnic distributionInterventionSignificant reductionAdolescentsMultiple sessionsEfficacyCannabisNative American adolescentsLeveraging the Full Continuum of Care to Prevent Opioid Use Disorder
Cance J, Adams E, D’Amico E, Palimaru A, Fernandes C, Fiellin L, Bonar E, Walton M, Komro K, Knight D, Knight K, Rao V, Youn S, Saavedra L, Ridenour T, Deeds B. Leveraging the Full Continuum of Care to Prevent Opioid Use Disorder. Prevention Science 2023, 24: 30-39. PMID: 37261635, PMCID: PMC10689575, DOI: 10.1007/s11121-023-01545-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderContinuum of careUse disordersPrevention programsDisorder prevention programUnique risk profileOpioid misuseBaseline riskUnique cohortPrevention continuumRisk profileUniversal preventionYoung adultsCareOpioidsOlder adolescentsPreventionDisordersFull continuumMost substancesCohortSubstances30. The Association Between Extracurricular Activities and Perception of Risk of Harm from Adolescent Binge Drinking
Szapary C, Meyer J, Fernandes C, Pendergrass T, Fiellin L, Aneni K, Ermel A, Brown D, Kahn J. 30. The Association Between Extracurricular Activities and Perception of Risk of Harm from Adolescent Binge Drinking. Journal Of Adolescent Health 2023, 72: s24. DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.11.048.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPilot-testing a Multiplayer HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Video Game Intervention for Black Adolescent Girls: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Weser V, Opara I, Budge M, Duncan L, Fernandes C, Hussett-Richardson S, Sands B, Hieftje K. Pilot-testing a Multiplayer HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Video Game Intervention for Black Adolescent Girls: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols 2023, 12: e43666. PMID: 36689272, PMCID: PMC9903186, DOI: 10.2196/43666.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBlack adolescent girlsVideo game interventionAdolescent girlsGame interventionINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERGame-based interventionsPeer group structureControl condition participantsBehavioral skillsCondition participantsIntervention conditionFace interventionsHealthy decisionsWeb-based studyControl conditionSocial normsIndividual outcomesIntervention feasibilityCondom usePositive attitudesPrior researchSecondary outcomesSTI testingMultiplayer gamesSexual communication
2022
Accelerating Solutions for the Overdose Crisis: an Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Protocol for the HEAL Prevention Cooperative
Patel S, Cance J, Bonar E, Carter P, Dickerson D, Fiellin L, Fernandes C, Palimaru A, Boomer T, Saldana L, Singh R, Tinius E, Walton M, Youn S, Young S, Philbrick S, Lambdin B. Accelerating Solutions for the Overdose Crisis: an Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Protocol for the HEAL Prevention Cooperative. Prevention Science 2022, 24: 40-49. PMID: 36399222, PMCID: PMC9673891, DOI: 10.1007/s11121-022-01465-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMethodological Strategies for Prospective Harmonization of Studies: Application to 10 Distinct Outcomes Studies of Preventive Interventions Targeting Opioid Misuse
Ridenour TA, Cruden G, Yang Y, Bonar EE, Rodriguez A, Saavedra LM, Hussong AM, Walton MA, Deeds B, Ford JL, Knight DK, Haggerty KP, Stormshak E, Kominsky TK, Ahrens KR, Woodward D, Feng X, Fiellin LE, Wilens TE, Klein DJ, Fernandes CS. Methodological Strategies for Prospective Harmonization of Studies: Application to 10 Distinct Outcomes Studies of Preventive Interventions Targeting Opioid Misuse. Prevention Science 2022, 24: 16-29. PMID: 35976525, PMCID: PMC9935745, DOI: 10.1007/s11121-022-01412-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEconomic Evaluation Design within the HEAL Prevention Cooperative
Dunlap LJ, Kuklinski MR, Cowell A, McCollister KE, Bowser DM, Campbell M, Fernandes CF, Kemburu P, Livingston BJ, Prosser LA, Rao V, Smart R, Yilmazer T. Economic Evaluation Design within the HEAL Prevention Cooperative. Prevention Science 2022, 24: 50-60. PMID: 35947282, PMCID: PMC9364296, DOI: 10.1007/s11121-022-01400-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderOpioid misuseUse disordersYoung adultsPrevention interventionsOpioid crisisAddiction Long-term (HEAL) InitiativeSubstance use prevention programmingUrgent public health problemEffective prevention interventionsPublic health problemOlder adolescentsEconomic evaluation designOpioid misuse initiationEconomic evaluationHealth problemsPreventive interventionsBudget impactIntervention implementation costsDisordersInterventionNational InstituteEconomic evidencePrevention programmingAdultsFeeling Invisible and Unheard: A Qualitative Exploration of Gendered-Racist Stereotypes Influence on Sexual Decision Making and Mistreatment of Black Teen Girls
Opara I, Weser V, Sands B, Fernandes CF, Hussett-Richardson S, Hieftje K. Feeling Invisible and Unheard: A Qualitative Exploration of Gendered-Racist Stereotypes Influence on Sexual Decision Making and Mistreatment of Black Teen Girls. Youth & Society 2022, 54: 527-546. PMID: 35812173, PMCID: PMC9265258, DOI: 10.1177/0044118x221075051.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTeen girlsForms of discriminationBlack feminist thoughtSexual decision makingGendered RacismAdult alliesBlack feministFeminist thoughtFamily settingsQualitative explorationQualitative studyNegative stereotypesStereotype influencesMajor themesStereotypesSexual decisionMistreatmentLensRacismDecision makingFeministsAlliesVictimizationUnheardGirls
2021
How Black Teen Girls Navigate Social Media to Form Romantic Relationships
Weser VU, Opara I, Sands BE, Fernandes CF, Hieftje KD. How Black Teen Girls Navigate Social Media to Form Romantic Relationships. Social Media + Society 2021, 7: 20563051211033823. PMID: 34858631, PMCID: PMC8634895, DOI: 10.1177/20563051211033823.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTeen girlsPolitical leaningsGirls' experiencesSocial mediaExperiences of racismFocus groupsCOVID-19 social distancingInductive thematic analysisCultural invalidationParticipants' practicesRomantic partnersThematic analysisTrue selfEthnic groupsMajor themesPhotos indexPartner selection processRomantic relationshipsSocial distancingBlack stereotypesExperienceSign of biasPotential romantic partnersRacismPractice