Papers by Jacquelyn Harvey
The Information Management Processes of Women Living with HPV
Journal of Health Communication, 2014
The human papillomavirus (HPV) represents a significant public health burden because of its wides... more The human papillomavirus (HPV) represents a significant public health burden because of its widespread prevalence, its links to genital warts and cancers, and the negative psychosocial impact of HPV infection and diagnosis. Scholars have attributed some of these negative effects to insufficient knowledge and information about HPV, prompting research on women's HPV information preferences; however, little is known about how women obtain, avoid, and use this information. To address this lacuna, we designed a study to trace the information management processes of women with HPV. Our analysis of interviews with 25 women living with HPV revealed a common sequence of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses to the HPV diagnosis. The authors review these findings and articulate their relevance and importance to research, theory, and practice in the discussion.
Interpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships, 2021
Self-disclosure involves sharing thoughts, feelings, and experiences with others, typically surro... more Self-disclosure involves sharing thoughts, feelings, and experiences with others, typically surrounding emotionally relevant and often times difficult life experiences. Research suggests a link between acts of self-disclosure and improved psychological resilience. Most research argues that resilience arises because acts of disclosure alter one's thinking around a topic of disclosure, which is then associated with improved resilience. Research also suggests, however, that disclosure can alter personal characteristics such as one's level of self-compassion or self-esteem. Nevertheless, we know relatively little about the potential mediating role that personal characteristics might play in predicting resilience. This exploratory cross-sectional study assesses whether self-characteristics (specifically self-esteem and self-compassion) mediate the relationship between self-disclosure and psychological resilience. Four hundred and forty-three individuals completed a survey that assessed the aforementioned variables. Findings suggest that self-esteem and self-compassion mediate the relationship between self-disclosure and psychological resilience. Demographically, age and those who identified as male reported significantly higher levels of resilience than individuals of other demographics. These findings pinpoint personal characteristics that could be targeted to supplement and improve the efficacy of self-disclosure interventions.
Anxiety Stress and Coping, 2020
Background and Objectives: Cancer caregivers are at risk for experiencing health issues due to th... more Background and Objectives: Cancer caregivers are at risk for experiencing health issues due to the stress of caregiving. Despite this, it is possible to prompt adaptive coping during the cancer experience. Adaptive coping is associated with improved health for caregiver populations. Forms of emotional disclosure are associated with caregiver reports of post-traumatic growth (PTG), which is an adaptive coping mechanism that comprises positive change following trauma. This study sought to identify areas of PTG identified by spousal hematopoietic stem-cell transplant (HSCT) cancer caregivers, via emotional disclosure writings. Design & Method: Twenty-two spousal caregivers of patients who underwent a (HSCT) submitted emotional disclosure writings three times at one-week intervals. Writings centered on positive outcomes arising in light of the cancer experience. A qualitative grounded theory approach was used to evaluate caregiver accounts of PTG that arose while caring for their spouse. Results & Conclusions: Findings suggest seven areas of PTG recognized through the disclosure process: living in the moment, a sense of honor and pride, choosing positivity, uninfluenced self-choice and expression, deprioritizing materialism, personal and/or spiritual connection, and altruistic expansion. The primary theoretical advancement arising from this study includes the notion that PTG largely appears to be a socially dependent process.
Research suggests that the capacity to be mindful is positively associated with constructive conf... more Research suggests that the capacity to be mindful is positively associated with constructive conflict strategy use and negatively associated with destructive conflict strategy use when individuals experience disagreement with a romantic partner. Conflict interactions are inherently dyadic however, signifying the importance of investigating whether a per-son's own capacity for mindfulness is associated with their partner's choice of conflict strategy. This exploratory study investigated whether individual's mindful awareness had an association with partner conflict strategy use for 169 heterosexual couples. We assessed couple member's mindfulness, conflict strategy use, and relational satisfaction. Actor-partner interdependence models (APIM) suggested that male mindfulness positively predicted their likelihood of compromising during conflict. Male mindfulness was also positively associated with female relationship satisfaction. Female mindfulness, on the other hand, predicted a lower likelihood of male dominance and reactivity during conflict. Actor-partner mediation models (APIMeM) suggested significant actor-actor effects such that mindfulness was positively associated with one's own use of compromise, which in turn positively predicted one's own relationship satisfaction. In addition, female mindfulness predicted lower male reactivity, which predicted higher male satisfaction. Implications and future research are discussed from a dyadic perspective.
This study tested whether a 17-day randomized controlled
expressive writing (EW) intervention imp... more This study tested whether a 17-day randomized controlled
expressive writing (EW) intervention improved cancer caregivers’
emotion regulation ability and if improved emotion regulation
predicted increases in verbal person-centered message
characteristics present in caregivers’ recalled support
conversations with cancer survivors. Participants (N = 64) were
spousal caregivers of hematopoietic stem cell transplant cancer
survivors assigned to one of three writing conditions: traumatic
disclosure (TD), benefit finding (BF), or a time-management
control. Caregivers completed writings three times at one-week
intervals, along with pre- and posttest reports of emotion
regulation and written accounts of supportive conversations with
spousal survivors. Both EW conditions (TD and BF) predicted
reduced emotion regulation difficulty compared to the control
condition. Cognitive, pronoun, and positive affect word usage
within EWs did not predict emotion regulation improvement.
However, use of negative emotion words predicted significant
increases in emotion regulation difficulty across conditions. Verbal
person-centeredness (VPC) message characteristics significantly
increased from pre- to posttest for those assigned to the BF and
control conditions. Despite change in VPC, emotion regulation did
not mediate the relationship between condition assignment and
message characteristic outcomes.
Conditions And Consequences Of Listening Well For Interpersonal Relationships: Modeling Active-Empathic Listening, Social-Emotional Skills, Trait Mindfulness, And Relational Quality
In an attempt to better understand the nature and effects of listening well in relationships, par... more In an attempt to better understand the nature and effects of listening well in relationships, participants (N = 137) in romantic relationships completed assessments of active-empathic listening (AEL), social-emotional skills, trait mindfulness, and relational quality (i.e., satisfaction and commitment). Based on previous research, we offered two models: In one, we argued that social-emotional skill, mediated by mindfulness, would predict self-reports of AEL; in the other, we hypothesized that AEL, mediated by social-emotional skill and trait mindfulness, would predict relational quality. We found some support for both models. Specifically, our analyses revealed that mindfulness positively mediated the relationship between one social skill, social expressivity, and AEL. In addition, a negative mediating relationship emerged between a second social skill (social sensitivity), mindfulness, and AEL. Our results also showed mindfulness mediating the relationship between the processing aspect of AEL and relational satisfaction.
Cancer caregivers often experience significant challenges in their motivation and ability to comf... more Cancer caregivers often experience significant challenges in their motivation and ability to comfort cancer survivors , particularly in a spousal or romantic context. Spousal cancer caregivers have been known to report even greater levels of burden and distress than cancer sufferers, yet still take on the role of acting as an informal caregiver so they can attend to their partner's needs. The current study tested whether a theoretical model of supportive outcomes—the dual-process model of supportive communication—explained variations in cancer caregivers' motivation and ability to create high-quality support messages. The study also tested whether participant engagement with reflective journaling on supportive acts was associated with increased motivation or ability to generate high-quality support messages. Based upon the dual-process model, we posited that, following supportive journaling tasks, caregivers of spouses currently managing a cancer experience would report greater motivation but also greater difficulty in generating high-quality support messages, while individuals caring for a patient in remission would report lower motivation but greater ability to create high-quality support messages. Findings provided support for these assertions and suggested that reflective journaling tasks might be a useful tool for improving remission caregivers' ability to provide high-quality social support to survivors. Corresponding theoretical and applied implications are discussed.
Spousal cancer caregivers’ emotional and relational health can become compromised over time due t... more Spousal cancer caregivers’ emotional and relational health can become compromised over time due to ongoing challenges related to the cancer experience. This warrants a call for the assessment of interventions aimed at improving aspects of caregiver well-being. The current study employed a randomized controlled trial to determine whether emotional disclosure via the use of expressive writing improved spousal cancer caregivers’ perceived caregiver burden, stress, and depression. Participants (N = 64) were assigned to one of the two disclosure conditions: expressive disclosure or benefit finding—or to a time-management control condition. Participants completed three at-home writing sessions at one-week intervals. Results indicated that written forms of emotional disclosure might improve burden, stress, and depression contingent on writing condition. Specifically, both forms of emotional disclosure outperformed the control condition in reducing caregivers’ depression. The control condition outperformed treatments in reducing caregiver stress. Finally, posttest caregiver burden was significantly lower than pretest burden across all writing conditions.
Research suggests that individuals can experience positive physical, mental, and relational outco... more Research suggests that individuals can experience positive physical, mental, and relational outcomes following the reception of high-quality verbal person-centered (VPC) support. In addition, researchers contend that two variables predict the likelihood of high VPC support provision, the first being ability to provide VPC support, and the second consisting of motivation to do so. Nevertheless, few researchers have attempted to increase individuals' ability or motivation to provide high-quality VPC messages to personal network members. This exploratory investigation assessed whether a supportive skills training intervention prompted increased ability and motivation to utilize high-quality VPC messages across generalized supportive interactions. Participants completed a two-week supportive skills intervention involving classroom-based modules and personal journaling of support conversations. Results provided initial evidence that support interventions can encourage providers to utilize higher quality VPC messages when interacting with distressed network members.
School Psychology International
Substantial research has identified the negative health outcomes associated with bullying for ado... more Substantial research has identified the negative health outcomes associated with bullying for adolescent victims. Researchers have examined expressive writing as a possible method by which to decrease violence among adolescents. Results of these studies, however, suggest that expressive writing is associated with positive, negative, and neutral outcomes for adolescents. The present study had two aims related to these mixed findings. First, it sought to investigate the association between micro-and macro-level message processes that relate with self-regulation in adolescent writings about bullying and their reports of bullying behavior. Second, it examined whether executive function processes may play a role in explaining the inconsistent results for expressive writing among adolescents. Results identify several message processes that are linked with reports of bullying behavior directly as well as indirectly through the pathway of executive function. Implications for expressive writing interventions aimed at reducing bullying are discussed, particularly with respect to the importance of screening for executive function.
The Information Management Processes of Women Living with HPV
Journal of Health Communication, 2014
The human papillomavirus (HPV) represents a significant public health burden because of its wides... more The human papillomavirus (HPV) represents a significant public health burden because of its widespread prevalence, its links to genital warts and cancers, and the negative psychosocial impact of HPV infection and diagnosis. Scholars have attributed some of these negative effects to insufficient knowledge and information about HPV, prompting research on women's HPV information preferences; however, little is known about how women obtain, avoid, and use this information. To address this lacuna, we designed a study to trace the information management processes of women with HPV. Our analysis of interviews with 25 women living with HPV revealed a common sequence of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses to the HPV diagnosis. The authors review these findings and articulate their relevance and importance to research, theory, and practice in the discussion.
Communication Reports
The present study investigated whether the relationship between contempt and mental health outcom... more The present study investigated whether the relationship between contempt and mental health outcomes differed by gender. Participants (N ¼ 214) completed measures of happiness, general well-being, and contempt expression. The findings indicate a contrast in mental health outcomes associated with contempt expression for males and females. Specifically, males who expressed high levels of contempt reported higher levels of happiness and general well-being than males who expressed low levels of contempt; whereas, females who expressed high levels of contempt reported lower levels of happiness than females who expressed low levels of contempt. Implications for theory and future research are discussed.
Patient Education and Counseling, 2012
Objective: Little data exists on women's HPV diagnosis encounters. This research focuses on impac... more Objective: Little data exists on women's HPV diagnosis encounters. This research focuses on impacts of the communicative medium used to inform women of their HPV status. We conducted a qualitative study to identify the mediums used to communicate HPV diagnoses and the impact of each medium on the diagnosis experience. Method: Twenty-five women with HPV completed semi-structured interviews, which we recorded and transcribed. We relied on grounded theory techniques in both data collection and analysis. Results: There are three primary mediums health care providers use to inform women of their HPV diagnosis: phone calls, mailed letters/email, and face-to-face interactions. Implications regarding each medium are identified and discussed. Conclusion: There are drawbacks associated with the use of each medium that healthcare practitioners should be aware of and seek to avoid. Practice implications: Healthcare providers can utilize descriptions of diagnosis encounters and the recommendations accompanying them to understand and modify ways they choose to inform individuals of an HPV diagnosis.
Qualitative Research Reports in Communication, 2012
With little known about the stepmother=father household, recent efforts have been made to explore... more With little known about the stepmother=father household, recent efforts have been made to explore the role of the childless stepmother within the stepfamily. The purpose of the project was to examine what childless stepmothers were discussing regarding their stepfamilies. An inductive approach was utilized for 35 discussion board postings in an online support group for childless stepmothers. Findings suggest that childless stepmothers discuss issues related to their relationship with the significant other. Additionally, stepmothers stress the importance of relationships with other stepmothers in coping with their role as stepmother. Theoretical implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Qualitative Research Reports in Communication, 2012
Qualitative Health Research, 2012
Women with genital human papillomavirus (HPV) experience considerable stress and uncertainty as a... more Women with genital human papillomavirus (HPV) experience considerable stress and uncertainty as a result of the diagnosis; however, little is known about the sources of uncertainty in HPV. Given that uncertainty creates stress, which might be linked to the pathogenesis of cervical cancer, research on these sources of uncertainty is warranted. To this end, we completed semistructured interviews with 25 women living with HPV, and identified seven sources of uncertainty: The meaning of the diagnosis, the potential for disease progression, finances, the source of the infection, disclosure, sex and reproduction, and the HPV vaccine. In the discussion we articulate the relevance and importance of study findings to research, theory, and practice.
Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 2012
Infection and diagnosis with HPV create significant support needs, yet the support experiences an... more Infection and diagnosis with HPV create significant support needs, yet the support experiences and evaluations of women with HPV remain unexplored. This study identified supportive communication behavior perceived as helpful or problematic by women with HPV. Interviews with 25 participants revealed that women find it helpful when supportive others: (a) provide reassurance, information, and validation; (b) attend appointments; (c) facilitate reappraisals; and, (d) listen. Findings also highlighted support challenges, such as disclosure difficulties and problems locating and accessing support groups. The discussion focuses on explanations for and implications of variations in enacted support quality for women with HPV and others managing chronic illnesses.
On Being (and Becoming) Mindful: One Pathway to Greater Resilience
Communicating Hope and Resilience across the Lifespan (Eds).
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Papers by Jacquelyn Harvey
expressive writing (EW) intervention improved cancer caregivers’
emotion regulation ability and if improved emotion regulation
predicted increases in verbal person-centered message
characteristics present in caregivers’ recalled support
conversations with cancer survivors. Participants (N = 64) were
spousal caregivers of hematopoietic stem cell transplant cancer
survivors assigned to one of three writing conditions: traumatic
disclosure (TD), benefit finding (BF), or a time-management
control. Caregivers completed writings three times at one-week
intervals, along with pre- and posttest reports of emotion
regulation and written accounts of supportive conversations with
spousal survivors. Both EW conditions (TD and BF) predicted
reduced emotion regulation difficulty compared to the control
condition. Cognitive, pronoun, and positive affect word usage
within EWs did not predict emotion regulation improvement.
However, use of negative emotion words predicted significant
increases in emotion regulation difficulty across conditions. Verbal
person-centeredness (VPC) message characteristics significantly
increased from pre- to posttest for those assigned to the BF and
control conditions. Despite change in VPC, emotion regulation did
not mediate the relationship between condition assignment and
message characteristic outcomes.