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Recent Research Conducted by Staff at ESH

Eastern State Hospital (ESH) has an active group of researchers who are open to collaboration on new projects. All projects are monitored by the ESH Research & Review Committee (R&RC), as well as the DBHDS Institutional Review Board (IRB), which is currently housed at Central State Hospital. 

The following reflect recent publications and presentations by our staff members over the past several years.

*Denotes staff members at the time of writing/publication.

Staff Publications

  • *Scott, K., Boccaccini, M. T., Trupp, G., Murrie, D. C., & Hawes, S. (2022). Evaluator empathy in risk assessment interviews. Law and Human Behavior. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/lhb0000492
  • *Grossi, L. M., Brereton, A., & Cabeldue, M. (2021). Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Psychosis (CBT-p) as an Adjunct to Competency Restoration. Journal of Forensic Psychology: Research and Practice. Advance Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/24732850.2021.1877022
  • *Grossi, L. M., *Osborn, L. A., *Joplin, K., *O’Connor, B. (2021). Clinical Intervention in Forensic Psychiatric Settings: Safety and Logistical Considerations. Journal of Forensic Psychology: Research and Practice, 21(2), 152-170. https://doi.org/10.1080/24732850.2020.1843105 
  • *Joplin, K., & *Stoner, L. (2020). Trauma-informed care in forensic mental health music therapy. Music Therapy Today. ISSN: 1610-191X
  • *Grossi, L. M., Green, D., *Cabeldue, M. & Pivovarova, E. (2020). Assessing feigning with the Feigning Evaluation INtegrating Sources (FEINS) in a forensic psychiatric sample. Psychological Services. Advance Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000513
  • *Grossi, L. M., Green, D., *Griswold, H., *Cabeldue, M., & Belfi, B. (2019). Assessing inpatient victimization risk among insanity acquittees using the HCR-20V3. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 47(3), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.29158/JAAPL.003843-19
  • *Stoner, L. (2018). Chapter 14: Music Therapy in the Context of Different Clinical Settings – E6: Forensic Mental Health Setting. In A. Heidersheit, & N. Jackson (authors) book Introduction to Music Therapy Practice. Barcelona Publishers: Dallas, TX.
  • *Griswold, H., Green, D., Cruise, K., Belfi, B., Lam, J., *Grossi, L. M., Cucco, E. & Iskander, L. (2018). Assessing risk for victimization in a forensic psychiatric setting using the Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START). Violence and Victims, 33(6), 1012-1035. https://doi.org/10.1891/0886-6708.33.6.1012
  • *Grossi, L. M., Green, D., Schneider, M., Belfi, B., & Segal, S. (2018). Personality, psychiatric, and cognitive predictors of length of time for competency to stand trial restoration. The International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 17(2), 167-180. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14999013.2018.1459964
  • *Grossi, L. M. (2017). Sexual offenders, violent offenders, and community reentry: Challenges and treatment considerations. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 34C, 59-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2017.04.005

Conference Presentations

  • *Grossi, L. M., *Hunt, E.,* Osborn, A., & *Griswold, H. (2023, March). Where Did Everyone Go? Effects of Policy Changes on Bed Space in State Psychiatric Hospitals and Correctional Facilities in Virginia. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychology-Law Society, Philadelphia, PA.
  • *Hunt, E., *Osborn, A., *Grossi, L. M., & *Griswold, H. (2023, March). The Impact of Policy Changes on Mental Health Consumers in Criminal Justice Facilities in Virginia. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychology-Law Society, Philadelphia, PA. 
  • *Osborn, A., *Grossi, L. M., *Hunt, E., & *Griswold, H. (2023, March). Changes in Mental Health Policy in Virginia and the State Psychiatric Hospital Population. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychology-Law Society, Philadelphia, PA.
  • *Green, C., *Jennings, W., & *Wilson, B. (2022, October). Improving Hospital Safety by Creating a Crisis Prevention Response Team. Poster accepted for presentation at the American Psychiatric Association’s 2022 Mental Health Services Conference, Washington, DC.
  • *Cabeldue, M., & *Grossi, L. M. (2022, March). Use of DBT to Address Forensic Specific outcomes Including Competency Restoration. Paper presented at the  annual meeting of the American Psychology-Law Society, Denver CO.
  • *Grossi, L. M., Brereton, A., & *Cabeldue, M. (2022, March). Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Psychosis (CBT-p) as an Adjunct to Competency Restoration. Paper presented at the  annual meeting of the American Psychology-Law Society, Denver CO.
  • *Grossi, L. M., *Hunt, E., *Osborn, A., & *Griswold, H. (2022, March). Trends in Virginia’s State Psychiatric Hospital Admissions in the Context of Mental Health Policy Changes: A 15-Year Longitudinal Study. Paper presented at the  annual meeting of the American Psychology-Law Society, Denver CO.
  • *Hudacek, K., & *Hunt, E. (2022, March). A crisis within a crisis: Is the system “restorable?” In The Role of Misdemeanor Defendants Within the Competency Services Crisis. Symposium conducted at the  annual meeting of the American Psychology-Law Society, Denver, CO.
  • *Scott, K.N., & Vincent, G. (2022, March). “I understand you:” Perceptions of the use of empathy in forensic evaluations. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychology-Law Society, Denver, CO.
  • *Stoner, L. & Bowdish, T. (2021, December). From reflections to actions: Strategies to refill your cup, refocus your priorities, and renew your energy. Presented through the Virginia Music Therapy Association, virtual platform.
  • *Stoner, L. & *Joplin, K. (2020, July). Trauma-informed care in forensic mental health music therapy. Presentation at the Music Therapy Congress of the World Federation of Music Therapy, South Africa via virtual platform.
  • *Hudacek, K. & *Hunt, E. (2020, March) Robust or Bust? Carving out Time to Devote to Research in a State Hospital. Paper accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the American Psychology-Law Society, New Orleans, LA.
  • *Hudacek, K., & *Hunt, E. (2019, March). Leveraging state and local data on forensic admissions to create systems and policy change. Paper presented at the 2019  annual meeting of the American Psychology-Law Society, Portland, OR.
  • *Stoner, L. & *Joplin, K. (2019, March). Who’s to Judge? Forum on ethical scenarios in forensic mental health settings. Presented through the Mid-Atlantic Region of the American Music Therapy Association, Reston, VA.
  • *Grossi, L. M., Handel, R. W., & Archer, R. P. (2018, April). A comparison of the validity of the MMPI-A-RF Higher-Order and Restructured Clinical scales between African-Americans and Caucasians in a forensic sample. Poster presented at the 53rd Annual MMPI Symposium in Hollywood Beach, FL.
  • *Grossi, L. M., Green, D., Cabeldue, M., Belfi, B., Rollock, C., & Pivovarova, E. (2018, March). A Glance at the MAP: Assessing Feigning with the Malingering Assessment of Psychopathology. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychology-Law Society, Memphis, TN.
  • *Stoner, L. (2016, November). Group music therapy in an acute mental health facility. Presented at the National Conference of the American Music Therapy Association, Sandusky, OH.
  • *Hudacek, K. (2016, March). So, you have a forensic waitlist, now what? In Durham, K., Arnold, S., Giallella, C.L. & Griffin, P. Wrestling with Forensic Waiting Lists: Clinical Considerations of Effective Competency Restoration. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the American Psychology-Law Society, Atlanta, GA.

Current Research Interests/Projects Ongoing
Use of clinical interventions in competency restoration 
Malingering 
Mental health policy 
Aggression/Risk management 
Case Studies

Research & Review Committee (R&RC) Contact Information:
Laura M. Grossi, PhD
ESH R&RC Chair
laura.grossi@dbhds.virginia.gov  
Office Phone: (757) 208-7818