Paul Springer Research and Global Work

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Welcome to Dr. Springer’s research group. Dr. Springer is passionate about addressing mental health disparities for underserved and hard to reach populations. His research currently focuses on addressing disparities in mental health accessibility in rural and global populations in two ways: (1) through the use of Community Based Participatory Research methodologies that brings community members together to identify and address local challenges. This is done by harnessing local resources so communities can better meet their own mental health needs, and (2) the application of high quality mental healthcare through the innovative use of technology. His research has led to global partnerships in Brazil, and presentations of his research throughout the World, including countries such as Jordan, Brazil, China, Portugal and England.

Research

Current Research Projects:

Community Based Participatory Research: What is unique about my research utilizing CBPR, which is a collaborative approach to studying and addressing a problem, is that it emphasizes working within the local cultural context to build community capacity to make a difference. Emphasis is on empowering lay mental health providers so they can develop competencies and skills in addressing the mental health needs of the community. The role of “task shifting” in which community partners are trained to fill the provider gap by recognizing mental health problems and making appropriate referrals; is an important element of our model. This is essential because mental health services in rural communities are usually administered by the few primary care providers in the region. To make matters more challenging, these providers are often undertrained in addressing mental health concerns. By empowering community partners and developing community capacity among lay providers; communities are better able to address the mental health issues they are facing in preventative ways. It has been our experience when community members become a part of the solution that it reduces stigma regarding mental health, by providing accurate information and increased levels of appropriate referrals. In addition, one solution utilized to address mental health care needs in these communities is the application of Tele-mental health.

Tele-mental Health Research: The disparities in access to quality mental health care in rural and underserved populations are the result of a complex interplay between availability of mental health care providers, affordability of care , as well as the perception and acceptability of mental health care. This model emphasizes working within the local cultural context, and utilizing collaborative care practices to overcome accessibility and acceptability of care in rural communities. In particular, we partner with local medical providers to provide high quality mental health through the innovative use of technology. We are currently providing mental health treatment via distance technology in three rural communities; and will be expanding this model globally.

Publications

1. Springer, P.R., Bischoff, R. J. Taylor, N.C. & *Leow, C. (2021). Competency Based Training in the Supervision of Relational Telemental Health. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 47, 375-391. DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12513.

2. Springer, P. R., Falceto, O., Bischoff, R. J., Barros, E., Scheeren, P., *Taylor, N. C., Cargnin, D. (2021). A Pilot Study of a Family Systems Oriented Telemental Health Model in Rural Brazil. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 47, 533-458. DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12500.
3. *Taylor, N. C., Springer, P.R., Bischoff, N. C. & Smith, J. (2021). Relational Interventions in Telemental Health. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 47, 455-472. DOI:1111/jmft.12520.
4. Tippens, J. , Springer, P.R. (2021). Pandemic Inequities: Refugees’ Health in the Rural U.S. during COVID-19. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 44(2), 102-107. doi: 10.1097/FCH.0000000000000292
5. Springer, P. R., Bischoff, R. J., Tayler, N. C., *Kohel, K. & *Farero, A. (2020). Collaborative care at a distance: Student therapists’ experiences of learning and delivering relationally focused telemental health. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 46(2), 201-217. Doi: 10.1111/jmft.12431.
6. Miller, B., & Springer, P. R. (2020). Ethics-based training for Clinicians: Moving beyond ethical decision making models. Contemporary Family Therapy, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-020-09537-7
7. Springer, P. R., Scheeren, P., Bischoff, R. J., *Taylor, N., Cargnin, D., Barros, E., & Falceto, O. (2018). Global proofing a collaborative care telehealth intervention in Brazil. Families, Systems & Health, 36(2), 175-181. doi: 10.1111/jmft.12202
8. Taylor, N. C., Hartman, D. K., Bischoff, J., Hayes, A., Springer, P.R., Dalton, H. E., & Perkins, D., (2018). Supporting Strong Families and Capable Communities, Insights from two developed countries addressing global mental health. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 2, joghr-02-32018010.
9. Bischoff, R. J., Springer, P. R., & *Taylor, N. C. (2017). Global mental health in action: Reducing disparities one community at a time. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 43 (2), 276-290. (Honorable Mention, JMFT Article of the
   Year 2018). https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12202
10. Seibel, B. L., Falceto, O. G., Hollist, C. S., Springer, P. R., Fernandes, C. L. C., & Koller, S. H. (2017). Rede de apoio social e funcionamento familiar: Estudo longitudinal sobre famílias em vulnerabilidade social (Social support and family functioning: A longitudinal study about vulnerable families). Pensando Famílias, 21(1), 120-136.
11. Bischoff, R. J., Springer, P. R., & Baker, G. (2017). Enhancing family agency through Family-Centered Practices. Indian Journal of Social Work, 77 (4), 425-436.
12. Robinson, W.D., Olson, M.M., Bischoff, R.J., Springer, P.R. (2014). Community Based Participatory Research Methodology: Where family therapists can make a difference. In Richard B Miller and Lee N. Johnson (ED.) Advanced Research Methods: A Focus on Validity and Change. (pp.). New York: Routledge.
13. Bischoff, R., J., & Reisbig, A.M. J., Springer, P. R., Schultz, Sheena, Robinson, D. W., & Olson, M.M. (2014). Succeeding in Rural Mental Health: Fitting In, Collaborating, and Developing New Skills, Contemporary Family Therapy, 35, 1-16.
14. Robinson, W. D., Springer, P. R., Bischoff, R. J., Geske, J., & Olson, M. (2013). Rural experiences with mental illness: Through the eyes of patients and families. Families, Systems and Health, 30(4), 308-321. I was not notified until February of 2013 that the manuscript was already published.
15. Bischoff, R., Springer, P. R., Reisbig, A. J., Lyons, S., Likcani, A. (2012). Training for collaborative practice skills for mental health professionals. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38(S1), 199-2012, doi DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-0606.2012.00299.x.
16. Hollist, C. S., Falceto, O. G., Ferreira, L. M., Miller, R. B., Springer, P. R., Fernandes, C. L., Nunes, N. (2012). Portuguese translation and validation of the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38 (s1), 348-358. doi:10.1111/j.1752-0606.2012.00296.x.

News articles featuring Dr. Springer:

• Tele-Mental Health Services Revitalize Rural Nebraska: Creating Accessible and Acceptable Rural Mental Health Care
• Maintaining Healthy Relationships During the Pandemic
• Bischoff and Springer join collaborative mental health initiative in Jordan
• Help is on the way
• Bischoff, Springer develop mental health model with global application
• Paul Springer Receives NAMFT Award
• Williams leads massage therapy study in rehabilitation hospital

People

Principal Investigator

Dr. Springer is currently a full Professor in the Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies, in the Marriage and Family Therapy program. He is also the Associate Dean for Student Success. His professional interests center on improving mental health services for underserved and hard to reach populations. This includes working in collaborative health care settings, rural and global populations using Community Based Participatory methodology, as well as the use of technology as a means to address mental health disparities.

International Work

Brazilian Longitudinal Study and Extension Project

Bruna Larissa Seibel, Ph.D. Candidate

Bruna is a Psychologist from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) – Brazil. At this same institution, Ms. Seibel concluded her master’s degree and is finishing a PhD focused on families living in vulnerable situation and their social support. She is one of the coordinators of the fifth wave of a longitudinal research of Brazilian families.

Brazilian Infidelity Study

Patrìcia Scheeren, Ph.D. Candidate

Patricia is a PhD Candidate in the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) in Southern Brazil and a Marriage Family Therapist (INFAPA). She got her Bachelor Degree in Psychology in 2008 at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) and her Master Degree at the Université Pierre Mendès-France in France in 2010 while researching the personality traits of Brazilian women in domestic violence situation.

Since 2012 she has been working under supervision of Dr. Adriana Wagner, coordinator of the Research Center of Family Studies at UFRGS (www.ufrgs.br/relacoesfamiliares), studying infidelity in Brazilian heterosexual couples. Patricia is currently collaborating with Dr. Cody Hollist and Paul Springer at University of Nebraska Lincoln in developing a Portuguese and English questionnaire to measure the behaviors related to emotional, sexual and virtual infidelity. This questionnaire will have great impact on the field of couples’ research, especially in Brazil, allowing for a better understanding of the infidelity in heterosexual couples. The development of this questionnaire will also have additional application for clinicians in the field working with couples who have experienced infidelity.

See More of Dr. Springer's International Work

Study Abroad

BRAZIL: MAY 2016

Experience the wonders of Brazil through your immersion in Brazilian food, culture, traditions, nature and art. Through this study abroad experience you will gain a deeper appreciation of a culture different than your own. Unlike other study abroad experiences, you will have first-hand experiences in learning about Brazilians families their educational and healthcare system, as well as interacting with college age students, visiting schools, and experiencing the natural beauty that brazil has to offer. This experience will be truly life changing, as it will shape your worldview, develop increased empathy and capacity for compassion as you move into your desired careers.

This Study Abroad will be led by Dr. Cody Hollist and myself. We both speak Fluent Portuguese and have lived a part of our lives in Brazil! If you have any questions about this trip, please contact me at pspringer3@unl.edu or Dr. Hollist at chollist2@unl.edu.

INDIA: MAY 2017

Experience the rich culture of India through interactions with Indian educators, professionals, families, and students; through their immersion in Indian art, nature, food and social traditions.

The focus of this study abroad will be in gaining a deeper understanding of human trafficking within India and globally, as we work with NGO’s in Mumbai and New Dehli’s red light district. Through this experience we will understand the influence that religion and other cultural factors plays in the lives of these women (and their children). We will also gain a deeper respect and understanding of how Indian religion, ethnicity, food and language impacts individual, families and communities within this large country. In addition, you will see tigers, the Taj Majal and amazing Indian ruins thousands of years old. This experience will be truly life changing, as it will shape your worldview, develop increased empathy and capacity for compassion as you move into your desired careers.

This Study Abroad will be led by Dr. Rochelle Dalla, May of 2017. She has extensive experience in doing research with trafficked women in India, and she has already led this tour with Dr. Richard Bischoff and Paul Springer in May 2015. If you have any questions about this trip, please contact Dr. Dalla at rdalla1@unl.edu.

Graduate Student Association