Melissa L Villodas
Datos Biográficos
| ID | 198085 |
|---|---|
| NOMBRE | Melissa L Villodas |
| NOMBRES | Melissa L |
| APELLIDO | Villodas |
| FIRMA | VILLODAS M L |
| AFILIACIONES | George Mason University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-1920-6768 |
| VERIFICADO | Sí |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 25 |
| TOTAL DE CITAS | 8 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 25 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMER AÑO DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2019 |
| AÑO MÁS RECIENTE DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2026 |
| ÍNDICE H | 1 |
Flourishing, Mental Health, and School Engagement Among U.S. Children
Disability counts
Disabled youth are over‐represented among care‐leavers transitioning into adulthood. However, the experiences and needs of disabled care‐leavers are not well understood—largely due to inconsistencies in definition and data collection practices. Applying the lens of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, 2007), this paper examines the strengths and limitations of existing definitions and data collection p…
Housing Hardships and Health Risks Among Children and Youth
Housing and neighbourhood contexts are critical social determinants of health for children and youth. However, little is known about how co‐occurring socioecological factors, including household, housing and neighbourhood contexts, cumulatively influence child and youth health risks. The aims of this study were to examine the combined effects of household‐, housing‐ and neighbourhood‐based risk and protective factors on child and youth health ris…
At the intersection of disability and transitioning to adulthood
Tiny homes—big movement
Background: Ensuring an adequate supply of affordable housing is one of the most pressing public health challenges facing the United States. This challenge is particularly pressing for people with severe mental illness living on incomes 25% below the federal poverty level, placing them at increased risk of housing insecurity. Description: This paper presents a community case study of the Tiny Homes Village (THV) demonstration project. In this pro…
Examining facilitator experiences delivering an intervention to system-involved women with mental illnesses
Gender differences have been found in the experiences and needs of individuals involved in the criminal legal system, underscoring the importance of interventions tailored to address the needs of system-involved women. Despite this recognition, there remains a gap in understanding how to effectively implement interventions for women with mental illnesses—a population that is increasingly prevalent within correctional facilities. This qualitative …
Examining the Influence of Perceived Neighborhood Environment and Connectedness on the Mental Health Symptoms of Black Adolescent Serious Offenders
Exploring associations between neighborhood amenities and mental health
The presence of neighborhood amenities influences youth mental health, with variation by race. • Sidewalks were associated with a higher likelihood of mental health challenges for some groups but lower likelihood for others, signaling the need for attention on how contextual factors shape this relationship. • Community investments in neighborhood amenities can support youth mental health, but require diverse youth voices to achieve equitable outc…
Social Support Among Minoritized Emerging Adults With Serious Psychological Health Issues
This convergent mixed method study examines the role of social support in the lives of minoritized emerging young adults with serious mental illness (YA-SMI), focusing on how they perceive and experience support from family, friends, and other sources. Data were gathered from 114 YA-SMI (ages 18-34) participating in a recovery program. Descriptive analyses revealed that 44% of participants reported family as their only source of support, while ot…
Exploring Treatment Completion and Participant Feedback in an Adapted Intervention among Incarcerated Men with Mental Illness
Treatment completion in interventions within correctional settings is challenging both generally and for people with mental illness (MI). Few studies have explored treatment completion alongside feedback from this population. We examined the rates of treatment completion alongside participant feedback to explore how participant feedback can improve treatment completion. Mixed-methods were used to examine treatment completion rates and clinical ch…
Examining the Utility of the Early Childhood Development Index (Ecdi) among Children in the Nigeria Context
An estimated 6 million children under the age of five in Nigeria (out of nearly 31 million) risk not reaching their full developmental potential. The dearth of context-relevant measures poses a challenge to the planning and implementation of effective interventions. This study assesses the utility of the Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) in Nigeria. We used the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys to track progress among 3- to 4-year-old chi…
Examining the Influence of the Neighborhood Environment on Stress Among Black American Adolescents
The prevalence of mental health challenges continues to worsen among adolescents, with Black American adolescents experiencing rates of suicide attempts that are increasing faster than any other racial and ethnic groups. Research has found that the neighborhood environment impacts mental health through the type and level of stress that people experience generally. More is yet to be known, however, about the biological and psychological impacts of…
An evaluation framework for predictive models of neighbourhood change with applications to predicting residential sales in Buffalo, NY
New data and technologies, in particular machine learning, may make it possible to forecast neighbourhood change. Doing so may help, for example, to prevent the negative impacts of gentrification on marginalised communities. However, predictive models of neighbourhood change face four challenges: accuracy (are they right?), granularity (are they right at spatial or temporal scales that actually matter for a policy response?), bias (are they equit…
The State of Programs for Educating Youth about Sex Trafficking in the United States
Growing interest in preventing and addressing sex trafficking has led to an increase in the development and implementation of sex trafficking educational programing for youth. We conducted a nationwide scoping scan survey of U.S. programs focused on educating youth about sex trafficking to learn more about existing programs. Staff at 37 programs completed the survey and provided information on program development, content, structure, delivery, an…
Structural and Intermediary Social Determinants of Health and the Emotional and Behavioral Health of US Children
Children grow up in homes where varying environmental and socioeconomic contexts have a bearing on their emotional and behavioral health (EBH). This study used data from a representative sample of the child supplement of the US National Health Information Survey (NHIS) and applied the social determinants of health (SDoH) framework to explore factors associated with child EBH. We conducted a path analysis of the child's EBH measured by the strengt…
Stress Biomarkers in Black Youth
Insecure housing, substance abuse, and incarceration among emerging adults aging out of foster care
Direct and indirect associations of weight status, self-efficacy, and gender attitudes with cognitive and academic skills among adolescent girls in Zambia
The role of adolescent weight status in psychosocial, cognitive, and academic outcomes remains understudied, particularly among girls in low- and middle-income countries. This study examined the direct and indirect effects of weight status, self-efficacy, and gender attitudes on cognitive and academic skills among adolescent girls. We analyzed two rounds of data collected from adolescent girls (N = 4,693) who participated in the Adolescent Girls …
Educating Students about Sex Trafficking and Responding to Students’ Needs
There is growing interest in educating youth about sex trafficking, coupled with a recognition that both traditional and alternative schools are promising venues for addressing sex trafficking and reaching students with such content. As principals play a key role in determining the programming and protocols in their schools, the current investigation surveyed principals in traditional and alternative public schools in one southeastern state regar…
Assessing the Modified Neighborhood Cohesion Instrument Among African American Adolescents Living in Public Housing
The modified NCI is not ideal for assessing neighborhood cohesion among this understudied population. Future research should prioritize psychometric testing alongside cognitive interviewing, to provide a contextualized measure of neighborhood cohesion for this population
Exposure to community violence and depressive symptoms
Patterns in Medicaid Coverage and Service Utilization Among People with Serious Mental Illnesses
Accountability in Intervention Research
Tiny Homes Are Huge for People Living With Serious Mental Illness
Purpose: A formative evaluation examined the acceptability and feasibility of tiny homes for people living with serious mental illness (SMI). Methods: The evaluation included four focus groups with people with SMI and service providers ( n = 28) and eight overnight stays with people with SMI. Results: The analysis identified six recommendations for tailoring the design of the tiny homes and the community where the homes will be located to meet th…
I want to rise above it all”
Exposure to community violence and depressive symptoms
Tiny Homes Are Huge for People Living With Serious Mental Illness
Purpose: A formative evaluation examined the acceptability and feasibility of tiny homes for people living with serious mental illness (SMI). Methods: The evaluation included four focus groups with people with SMI and service providers ( n = 28) and eight overnight stays with people with SMI. Results: The analysis identified six recommendations for tailoring the design of the tiny homes and the community where the homes will be located to meet th…
I want to rise above it all”
I want to rise above it all”
Tiny Homes Are Huge for People Living With Serious Mental Illness
Purpose: A formative evaluation examined the acceptability and feasibility of tiny homes for people living with serious mental illness (SMI). Methods: The evaluation included four focus groups with people with SMI and service providers ( n = 28) and eight overnight stays with people with SMI. Results: The analysis identified six recommendations for tailoring the design of the tiny homes and the community where the homes will be located to meet th…
Educating Students about Sex Trafficking and Responding to Students’ Needs
There is growing interest in educating youth about sex trafficking, coupled with a recognition that both traditional and alternative schools are promising venues for addressing sex trafficking and reaching students with such content. As principals play a key role in determining the programming and protocols in their schools, the current investigation surveyed principals in traditional and alternative public schools in one southeastern state regar…
Assessing the Modified Neighborhood Cohesion Instrument Among African American Adolescents Living in Public Housing
The modified NCI is not ideal for assessing neighborhood cohesion among this understudied population. Future research should prioritize psychometric testing alongside cognitive interviewing, to provide a contextualized measure of neighborhood cohesion for this population
Exposure to community violence and depressive symptoms
Patterns in Medicaid Coverage and Service Utilization Among People with Serious Mental Illnesses
Accountability in Intervention Research
Direct and indirect associations of weight status, self-efficacy, and gender attitudes with cognitive and academic skills among adolescent girls in Zambia
The role of adolescent weight status in psychosocial, cognitive, and academic outcomes remains understudied, particularly among girls in low- and middle-income countries. This study examined the direct and indirect effects of weight status, self-efficacy, and gender attitudes on cognitive and academic skills among adolescent girls. We analyzed two rounds of data collected from adolescent girls (N = 4,693) who participated in the Adolescent Girls …
The State of Programs for Educating Youth about Sex Trafficking in the United States
Growing interest in preventing and addressing sex trafficking has led to an increase in the development and implementation of sex trafficking educational programing for youth. We conducted a nationwide scoping scan survey of U.S. programs focused on educating youth about sex trafficking to learn more about existing programs. Staff at 37 programs completed the survey and provided information on program development, content, structure, delivery, an…
Structural and Intermediary Social Determinants of Health and the Emotional and Behavioral Health of US Children
Children grow up in homes where varying environmental and socioeconomic contexts have a bearing on their emotional and behavioral health (EBH). This study used data from a representative sample of the child supplement of the US National Health Information Survey (NHIS) and applied the social determinants of health (SDoH) framework to explore factors associated with child EBH. We conducted a path analysis of the child's EBH measured by the strengt…
Stress Biomarkers in Black Youth
Insecure housing, substance abuse, and incarceration among emerging adults aging out of foster care
Examining the Utility of the Early Childhood Development Index (Ecdi) among Children in the Nigeria Context
An estimated 6 million children under the age of five in Nigeria (out of nearly 31 million) risk not reaching their full developmental potential. The dearth of context-relevant measures poses a challenge to the planning and implementation of effective interventions. This study assesses the utility of the Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) in Nigeria. We used the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys to track progress among 3- to 4-year-old chi…
Examining the Influence of the Neighborhood Environment on Stress Among Black American Adolescents
The prevalence of mental health challenges continues to worsen among adolescents, with Black American adolescents experiencing rates of suicide attempts that are increasing faster than any other racial and ethnic groups. Research has found that the neighborhood environment impacts mental health through the type and level of stress that people experience generally. More is yet to be known, however, about the biological and psychological impacts of…
An evaluation framework for predictive models of neighbourhood change with applications to predicting residential sales in Buffalo, NY
New data and technologies, in particular machine learning, may make it possible to forecast neighbourhood change. Doing so may help, for example, to prevent the negative impacts of gentrification on marginalised communities. However, predictive models of neighbourhood change face four challenges: accuracy (are they right?), granularity (are they right at spatial or temporal scales that actually matter for a policy response?), bias (are they equit…
Tiny homes—big movement
Background: Ensuring an adequate supply of affordable housing is one of the most pressing public health challenges facing the United States. This challenge is particularly pressing for people with severe mental illness living on incomes 25% below the federal poverty level, placing them at increased risk of housing insecurity. Description: This paper presents a community case study of the Tiny Homes Village (THV) demonstration project. In this pro…
Examining facilitator experiences delivering an intervention to system-involved women with mental illnesses
Gender differences have been found in the experiences and needs of individuals involved in the criminal legal system, underscoring the importance of interventions tailored to address the needs of system-involved women. Despite this recognition, there remains a gap in understanding how to effectively implement interventions for women with mental illnesses—a population that is increasingly prevalent within correctional facilities. This qualitative …
Examining the Influence of Perceived Neighborhood Environment and Connectedness on the Mental Health Symptoms of Black Adolescent Serious Offenders
Exploring associations between neighborhood amenities and mental health
The presence of neighborhood amenities influences youth mental health, with variation by race. • Sidewalks were associated with a higher likelihood of mental health challenges for some groups but lower likelihood for others, signaling the need for attention on how contextual factors shape this relationship. • Community investments in neighborhood amenities can support youth mental health, but require diverse youth voices to achieve equitable outc…
Social Support Among Minoritized Emerging Adults With Serious Psychological Health Issues
This convergent mixed method study examines the role of social support in the lives of minoritized emerging young adults with serious mental illness (YA-SMI), focusing on how they perceive and experience support from family, friends, and other sources. Data were gathered from 114 YA-SMI (ages 18-34) participating in a recovery program. Descriptive analyses revealed that 44% of participants reported family as their only source of support, while ot…
Exploring Treatment Completion and Participant Feedback in an Adapted Intervention among Incarcerated Men with Mental Illness
Treatment completion in interventions within correctional settings is challenging both generally and for people with mental illness (MI). Few studies have explored treatment completion alongside feedback from this population. We examined the rates of treatment completion alongside participant feedback to explore how participant feedback can improve treatment completion. Mixed-methods were used to examine treatment completion rates and clinical ch…
Flourishing, Mental Health, and School Engagement Among U.S. Children
Disability counts
Disabled youth are over‐represented among care‐leavers transitioning into adulthood. However, the experiences and needs of disabled care‐leavers are not well understood—largely due to inconsistencies in definition and data collection practices. Applying the lens of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, 2007), this paper examines the strengths and limitations of existing definitions and data collection p…
Housing Hardships and Health Risks Among Children and Youth
Housing and neighbourhood contexts are critical social determinants of health for children and youth. However, little is known about how co‐occurring socioecological factors, including household, housing and neighbourhood contexts, cumulatively influence child and youth health risks. The aims of this study were to examine the combined effects of household‐, housing‐ and neighbourhood‐based risk and protective factors on child and youth health ris…
At the intersection of disability and transitioning to adulthood
Psychology (16 obras) · Medicine (15 obras) · Mental health (13 obras) · Psychiatry (13 obras) · Psychological intervention (11 obras) · Homelessness and Social Issues (8 obras) · Clinical Psychology (7 obras) · Social Psychology (7 obras) · Logistic regression (6 obras) · Clinical Psychology (5 obras)