Virmarie Correa-Fernández
Biographic Data
| ID | 5131132 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Virmarie Correa-Fernández |
| GIVEN NAMES | Virmarie |
| FAMILY NAME | Correa-Fernández |
| SIGNATURE | CORREA-FERNÁNDEZ V |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Houston |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-2548-1085 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 28 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 26 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 28 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2013 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Changes in Mindfulness and Distress Tolerance before and after an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention among Latine Adults Who Smoke
Background. Smoking cessation presents unique challenges for Latine adults who face specific cultural and socio-economic barriers to quitting. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a promising intervention to address these challenges because it targets underlying mechanisms implicated in smoking cessation, including mindfulness and distress tolerance. The primary objective of this study was to assess the changes in mindfulness and distress t…
From personal responsibility to prevention strategies
Latinx individuals face significant tobacco-related disparities, particularly in cessation care. In particular, little is known about barriers and facilitators of quitting smoking among Spanish-preferring Latinx. This study examined the perspectives of Latinxs who smoke and have psychological distress regarding the factors influencing their smoking and quitting behaviors and experiences with cessation treatment. A cross-sectional, exploratory mul…
Mindfulness as a Moderator of the Association Between Anxiety and Alcohol Use Severity and Drinking Motives in Professional Firefighters
Objective: Firefighters are at risk of experiencing heightened anxiety and alcohol use perhaps due to occupational stress. Mindfulness is related to both anxiety and alcohol use; however, research on the relations of mindfulness with anxiety and alcohol use and drinking motives among firefighters is limited. This study examined (1) whether higher anxiety was positively related to alcohol use severity and drinking related motives (e.g., coping, en…
Culturally relevant acceptance-based telehealth wellness program for Latine adults who smoke and experience psychological distress
Changes in Substance Use Treatment Providers’ Delivery of the 5A’s for Non-Cigarette Tobacco Use in the Context of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program Implementation
Tobacco use treatment is not prioritized in substance use treatment centers (SUTCs), leading to tobacco-related health inequities for patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) and necessitating efforts to enhance providers' care provision. Training providers on how to treat tobacco use increases their intervention on patients' smoking, but limited work addresses its effects on their non-cigarette tobacco use intervention provision. This study …
Educating Substance Use Treatment Center Providers on Tobacco Use Treatments Is Associated with Increased Provision of Counseling and Medication to Patients Who Use Tobacco
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in America and is elevated among patients with non-tobacco substance use disorders. Substance use treatment centers (SUTCs) do not commonly address their patients' tobacco use. Lack of knowledge on treating tobacco use with counseling and medication may be a barrier that underlies this inaction. A multi-component tobacco-free workplace program implemented in Texas SUTCs educated providers on t…
Collaborative Learning
Individuals with behavioral health conditions account for 50% of annual smoking-related deaths, yet rarely receive tobacco dependence treatment within local mental health authorities (LMHAs). As lack of training and knowledge are key barriers to providing tobacco dependence treatment, Taking Texas Tobacco-Free (TTTF) developed an iterative, 4-6-months train-the-trainer program to embed expertise and delivery of sustained education on tobacco-free…
Organization-Level Factors Associated with Changes in the Delivery of the Five A’s for Smoking Cessation following the Implementation of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program within Substance…
Many adults with a substance use disorder smoke cigarettes. However, tobacco use is not commonly addressed in substance use treatment centers. This study examined how provider beliefs about addressing tobacco use during non-nicotine substance use treatment, provider self-efficacy in delivering tobacco use assessments, and perceived barriers to the routine provision of tobacco care were associated with changes in the delivery of the evidence-based…
Organizational-Level Moderators Impacting Tobacco-Related Knowledge Change after Tobacco Education Training in Substance Use Treatment Centers
Tobacco use is disproportionately elevated among patients with substance use disorders relative to the general U.S. population. Tobacco interventions are lacking within substance use treatment centers (SUTCs) due to lack of knowledge and training. This study examined knowledge gain and the organizational factors that might moderate knowledge gains following tobacco education training provided to employees (N = 580) within 15 SUTCs that were parti…
Sociodemographic Determinants of Nonadherence to Depression and Anxiety Medication among Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Psychiatric medication nonadherence continues to be a leading cause of poor health outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness. Identifying the sociodemographic factors that contribute to medication nonadherence may help guide strategies to care for and support this group. This study examined 200 adults with depression diagnoses and active anti-depressant prescriptions (Mage = 43.98 ± 12.08, 59.4% Caucasian, 58.5% male, 70% uninsured, 89.5…
Addressing Smoking Cessation among Women in Substance Use Treatment
Intersecting socially marginalized identities and unique biopsychosocial factors place women with substance use disorders (SUDs) experiencing myriad disadvantages at higher risk for smoking and stigmatization. Here, based on our work with women receiving care for SUDs in four participating treatment/women-serving centers (N = 6 individual clinics), we: (1) describe the functions of smoking for women with SUDs; and (2) explore participants' experi…
Implementation and Outcomes of a Comprehensive Tobacco Free Workplace Program in Opioid Treatment Centers
Tobacco use is exceedingly high among individuals receiving care for opioid addiction, but not commonly addressed by clinicians in treatment settings. Taking Texas Tobacco Free (TTTF) is a comprehensive tobacco-free workplace (TFW) program that builds treatment centers' capacity to address tobacco use with evidence-based tobacco cessation policies and practices. Here, we examine the process and outcomes of TTTF's implementation within 7 opioid ad…
Implementation and Outcomes of a Train-the-Trainer Program at Behavioral Health Treatment Centers as a Mechanism to Maintain Organizational Capacity to Address Tobacco Use Disorder
Despite prior successful implementation of Taking Texas Tobacco Free (TTTF), an evidence-based tobacco-free workplace program, in local mental health authorities (LMHAs), post-implementation employee attrition necessitated continuing education on tobacco-free policies and tobacco treatment practices. Here, we report on the outcomes of a train-the-trainer program which trained "champions" to deliver tobacco cessation education at their LMHAs. Thre…
Organizational Factors Moderating Changes in Tobacco Use Dependence Care Delivery Following a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Intervention in Non-Profit Substance Use Treatment Centers
Although tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death and is elevated among patients with substance use disorders, many substance use treatment centers (SUTCs) do not offer tobacco use interventions (i.e., screening and treatment). This study examined a key outcome of the implementation of a tobacco-free workplace program that provided education and specialized training to employees; namely, changes in clinician provision of the five As …
Hispanics/Latinos' Cigarette and E-cigarette Use
Objectives: In this paper, we examine if serious psychological distress (SPD), binge drinking, and self-rated health predict dual-use of tobacco cigarette and e-cigarette compared with no use or the use of only one product among Hispanics/Latinos (H/L). By increasing our understanding of determinants of dual-use, we can identify the most vulnerable groups and intervention targets. Methods: We used data from H/L who were current tobacco/nicotine u…
Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II
Clinician Training in the Adaptation of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program in Agencies Serving the Homeless and Vulnerably Housed
Tobacco use is exceedingly high among those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness but not commonly addressed by clinicians. Taking Texas Tobacco Free (TTTF) is a tobacco control program that addresses known clinician barriers to intervention (e.g., low training receipt, limited resources). Here, we examine the process and outcomes of TTTF's adaptation within four agencies that provide housing or other services to individuals who are homeles…
Adapting and Evaluating Implementation of a Tobacco-Free Workplace Program in Behavioral Health Centers
Objectives: State-administered community behavioral health centers (CBHCs) rarely treat tobacco dependence, despite high client tobacco use. Using a mixed-methods approach we examine the adaptation and implementation of an evidence-based tobacco-free workplace (TFW) program in 2 CBHCs (17 individual clinics). Methods: Varied data collection included pre- and post-implementation leader, clinician, and staff surveys; pre-, mid-, and post-implementa…
Tobacco-free Workplace Program at a Substance Use Treatment Center
Objectives: About 65%-87% of substance use disorder patients smoke cigarettes, compared to 14% of the general adult population. Few substance use treatment centers (SUTCs) have comprehensive tobacco-free workplace (TFW) policies or offer tobacco interventions. Taking Texas Tobacco Free (TTTF) implements an evidence-based TFW program in SUTCs, including at the Billy T. Cattan Recovery Outreach Center (BTC). We present a mixed methods case study of…
Associations of multiple acculturation domains with smoking status among Latino adults
Few efficacious interventions for tobacco use exist for Latinos. Identification of cultural factors relevant to smoking among Latinos can inform the development of efficacious interventions for Latino smokers. Acculturation is associated with smoking, especially among Latinas, but extant research is limited by operationalization of acculturation with unidirectional, single-domain proxies. We examined associations of multiple domains of acculturat…
Psychological inflexibility as it relates to stress, worry, generalized anxiety, and somatization in an ethnically diverse sample of college students
Socioeconomic indicators as predictors of smoking cessation among Spanish-Speaking Mexican Americans
Objective: Smoking-related illnesses are the leading cause of death among Latinos, and within this ethnic group, Mexican Americans are the largest subgroup in the U.S. Understanding the factors associated with successful smoking cessation could inform interventions for this population. Although socioeconomic status (SES) is a powerful predictor of cessation outcomes in the general U.S. population, it has generally been a poor predictor of quittin…
Alcohol use severity and depressive symptoms among late adolescent Hispanics
Lower health literacy predicts smoking relapse among racially/ethnically diverse smokers with low socioeconomic status
Findings suggest that lower HL may serve as an independent risk factor for smoking relapse among low-SES, racially/ethnically diverse smokers enrolled in treatment. Future research is needed to investigate longitudinal relations between HL and cessation outcomes and potential mechanisms of this relationship
Promoting Tobacco Cessation Through Community Outreach Partnerships
Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action - Volume 8, Issue 2, Summer 2014
Alcohol use severity and depressive symptoms among late adolescent Hispanics
The influence of discrimination on smoking cessation among Latinos
Associations Between Health Literacy and Established Predictors of Smoking Cessation
Objectives. We examined associations between health literacy and predictors of smoking cessation among 402 low-socioeconomic status (SES), racially/ethnically diverse smokers. Methods. Data were collected as part of a larger study evaluating smoking health risk messages. We conducted multiple linear regression analyses to examine relations between health literacy and predictors of smoking cessation (i.e., nicotine dependence, smoking outcome expe…
Socioeconomic indicators as predictors of smoking cessation among Spanish-Speaking Mexican Americans
Objective: Smoking-related illnesses are the leading cause of death among Latinos, and within this ethnic group, Mexican Americans are the largest subgroup in the U.S. Understanding the factors associated with successful smoking cessation could inform interventions for this population. Although socioeconomic status (SES) is a powerful predictor of cessation outcomes in the general U.S. population, it has generally been a poor predictor of quittin…
Associations Between Health Literacy and Established Predictors of Smoking Cessation
Objectives. We examined associations between health literacy and predictors of smoking cessation among 402 low-socioeconomic status (SES), racially/ethnically diverse smokers. Methods. Data were collected as part of a larger study evaluating smoking health risk messages. We conducted multiple linear regression analyses to examine relations between health literacy and predictors of smoking cessation (i.e., nicotine dependence, smoking outcome expe…
Lower health literacy predicts smoking relapse among racially/ethnically diverse smokers with low socioeconomic status
Findings suggest that lower HL may serve as an independent risk factor for smoking relapse among low-SES, racially/ethnically diverse smokers enrolled in treatment. Future research is needed to investigate longitudinal relations between HL and cessation outcomes and potential mechanisms of this relationship
Promoting Tobacco Cessation Through Community Outreach Partnerships
Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action - Volume 8, Issue 2, Summer 2014
Promoting Tobacco Cessation and Smoke-Free Workplaces Through Community Outreach Partnerships in Puerto Rico
This project demonstrates the feasibility of developing a successful and sustainable community-based outreach program model that enlists the participation of academic researchers, community organizations, and health care providers as partners to promote tobacco control
The influence of discrimination on smoking cessation among Latinos
Alcohol use severity and depressive symptoms among late adolescent Hispanics
Socioeconomic indicators as predictors of smoking cessation among Spanish-Speaking Mexican Americans
Objective: Smoking-related illnesses are the leading cause of death among Latinos, and within this ethnic group, Mexican Americans are the largest subgroup in the U.S. Understanding the factors associated with successful smoking cessation could inform interventions for this population. Although socioeconomic status (SES) is a powerful predictor of cessation outcomes in the general U.S. population, it has generally been a poor predictor of quittin…
Associations of multiple acculturation domains with smoking status among Latino adults
Few efficacious interventions for tobacco use exist for Latinos. Identification of cultural factors relevant to smoking among Latinos can inform the development of efficacious interventions for Latino smokers. Acculturation is associated with smoking, especially among Latinas, but extant research is limited by operationalization of acculturation with unidirectional, single-domain proxies. We examined associations of multiple domains of acculturat…
Psychological inflexibility as it relates to stress, worry, generalized anxiety, and somatization in an ethnically diverse sample of college students
Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II
Clinician Training in the Adaptation of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program in Agencies Serving the Homeless and Vulnerably Housed
Tobacco use is exceedingly high among those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness but not commonly addressed by clinicians. Taking Texas Tobacco Free (TTTF) is a tobacco control program that addresses known clinician barriers to intervention (e.g., low training receipt, limited resources). Here, we examine the process and outcomes of TTTF's adaptation within four agencies that provide housing or other services to individuals who are homeles…
Adapting and Evaluating Implementation of a Tobacco-Free Workplace Program in Behavioral Health Centers
Objectives: State-administered community behavioral health centers (CBHCs) rarely treat tobacco dependence, despite high client tobacco use. Using a mixed-methods approach we examine the adaptation and implementation of an evidence-based tobacco-free workplace (TFW) program in 2 CBHCs (17 individual clinics). Methods: Varied data collection included pre- and post-implementation leader, clinician, and staff surveys; pre-, mid-, and post-implementa…
Tobacco-free Workplace Program at a Substance Use Treatment Center
Objectives: About 65%-87% of substance use disorder patients smoke cigarettes, compared to 14% of the general adult population. Few substance use treatment centers (SUTCs) have comprehensive tobacco-free workplace (TFW) policies or offer tobacco interventions. Taking Texas Tobacco Free (TTTF) implements an evidence-based TFW program in SUTCs, including at the Billy T. Cattan Recovery Outreach Center (BTC). We present a mixed methods case study of…
Organizational-Level Moderators Impacting Tobacco-Related Knowledge Change after Tobacco Education Training in Substance Use Treatment Centers
Tobacco use is disproportionately elevated among patients with substance use disorders relative to the general U.S. population. Tobacco interventions are lacking within substance use treatment centers (SUTCs) due to lack of knowledge and training. This study examined knowledge gain and the organizational factors that might moderate knowledge gains following tobacco education training provided to employees (N = 580) within 15 SUTCs that were parti…
Sociodemographic Determinants of Nonadherence to Depression and Anxiety Medication among Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Psychiatric medication nonadherence continues to be a leading cause of poor health outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness. Identifying the sociodemographic factors that contribute to medication nonadherence may help guide strategies to care for and support this group. This study examined 200 adults with depression diagnoses and active anti-depressant prescriptions (Mage = 43.98 ± 12.08, 59.4% Caucasian, 58.5% male, 70% uninsured, 89.5…
Addressing Smoking Cessation among Women in Substance Use Treatment
Intersecting socially marginalized identities and unique biopsychosocial factors place women with substance use disorders (SUDs) experiencing myriad disadvantages at higher risk for smoking and stigmatization. Here, based on our work with women receiving care for SUDs in four participating treatment/women-serving centers (N = 6 individual clinics), we: (1) describe the functions of smoking for women with SUDs; and (2) explore participants' experi…
Implementation and Outcomes of a Comprehensive Tobacco Free Workplace Program in Opioid Treatment Centers
Tobacco use is exceedingly high among individuals receiving care for opioid addiction, but not commonly addressed by clinicians in treatment settings. Taking Texas Tobacco Free (TTTF) is a comprehensive tobacco-free workplace (TFW) program that builds treatment centers' capacity to address tobacco use with evidence-based tobacco cessation policies and practices. Here, we examine the process and outcomes of TTTF's implementation within 7 opioid ad…
Implementation and Outcomes of a Train-the-Trainer Program at Behavioral Health Treatment Centers as a Mechanism to Maintain Organizational Capacity to Address Tobacco Use Disorder
Despite prior successful implementation of Taking Texas Tobacco Free (TTTF), an evidence-based tobacco-free workplace program, in local mental health authorities (LMHAs), post-implementation employee attrition necessitated continuing education on tobacco-free policies and tobacco treatment practices. Here, we report on the outcomes of a train-the-trainer program which trained "champions" to deliver tobacco cessation education at their LMHAs. Thre…
Organizational Factors Moderating Changes in Tobacco Use Dependence Care Delivery Following a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Intervention in Non-Profit Substance Use Treatment Centers
Although tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death and is elevated among patients with substance use disorders, many substance use treatment centers (SUTCs) do not offer tobacco use interventions (i.e., screening and treatment). This study examined a key outcome of the implementation of a tobacco-free workplace program that provided education and specialized training to employees; namely, changes in clinician provision of the five As …
Hispanics/Latinos' Cigarette and E-cigarette Use
Objectives: In this paper, we examine if serious psychological distress (SPD), binge drinking, and self-rated health predict dual-use of tobacco cigarette and e-cigarette compared with no use or the use of only one product among Hispanics/Latinos (H/L). By increasing our understanding of determinants of dual-use, we can identify the most vulnerable groups and intervention targets. Methods: We used data from H/L who were current tobacco/nicotine u…
Collaborative Learning
Individuals with behavioral health conditions account for 50% of annual smoking-related deaths, yet rarely receive tobacco dependence treatment within local mental health authorities (LMHAs). As lack of training and knowledge are key barriers to providing tobacco dependence treatment, Taking Texas Tobacco-Free (TTTF) developed an iterative, 4-6-months train-the-trainer program to embed expertise and delivery of sustained education on tobacco-free…
Organization-Level Factors Associated with Changes in the Delivery of the Five A’s for Smoking Cessation following the Implementation of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program within Substance…
Many adults with a substance use disorder smoke cigarettes. However, tobacco use is not commonly addressed in substance use treatment centers. This study examined how provider beliefs about addressing tobacco use during non-nicotine substance use treatment, provider self-efficacy in delivering tobacco use assessments, and perceived barriers to the routine provision of tobacco care were associated with changes in the delivery of the evidence-based…
Changes in Substance Use Treatment Providers’ Delivery of the 5A’s for Non-Cigarette Tobacco Use in the Context of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program Implementation
Tobacco use treatment is not prioritized in substance use treatment centers (SUTCs), leading to tobacco-related health inequities for patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) and necessitating efforts to enhance providers' care provision. Training providers on how to treat tobacco use increases their intervention on patients' smoking, but limited work addresses its effects on their non-cigarette tobacco use intervention provision. This study …
Educating Substance Use Treatment Center Providers on Tobacco Use Treatments Is Associated with Increased Provision of Counseling and Medication to Patients Who Use Tobacco
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in America and is elevated among patients with non-tobacco substance use disorders. Substance use treatment centers (SUTCs) do not commonly address their patients' tobacco use. Lack of knowledge on treating tobacco use with counseling and medication may be a barrier that underlies this inaction. A multi-component tobacco-free workplace program implemented in Texas SUTCs educated providers on t…
Mindfulness as a Moderator of the Association Between Anxiety and Alcohol Use Severity and Drinking Motives in Professional Firefighters
Objective: Firefighters are at risk of experiencing heightened anxiety and alcohol use perhaps due to occupational stress. Mindfulness is related to both anxiety and alcohol use; however, research on the relations of mindfulness with anxiety and alcohol use and drinking motives among firefighters is limited. This study examined (1) whether higher anxiety was positively related to alcohol use severity and drinking related motives (e.g., coping, en…
Medicine (22 works) · Smoking Behavior and Cessation (18 works) · Psychology (17 works) · Smoking cessation (16 works) · Environmental health (15 works) · Psychiatry (14 works) · Psychological intervention (11 works) · Tobacco use (10 works) · Clinical Psychology (9 works) · Health Policy Implementation Science (9 works)