Behavioral Community Action & Research Team

Introduction & Current Projects

The Behavioral Community Research and Action Team (BCRAT) is focused on conducting community-based research that promotes the health of adolescents, emerging adult populations and reducing health disparities among Racial and Ethnic groups. The Behavioral Community Research and Action Team is currently working on a health assessment among College Students related to E-Cigarette use and its harmful effects, The role of religious attitudes towards health, substance use and abuse and mental health and compassion fatigue among various populations.


Research Projects Include: examining the risk and protective factors related to substance use and misuse among adolescents and emerging adults, evaluating the effectiveness of community-based organizations including: HealthCore Clinic and the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas, investigating the psychological well-being and suicidality among the Black population, and promoting Mental Health in the community. We use both qualitative and quantitative approaches to answer our research questions.

Publications

Redmond, M., Lewis, R. K., Parker, T., Canare, R., Dickens, D., & Malone, S.(in press). Impact of Culturally Competency on Behavioral Health Disparities for African Americans. American Psychological Association.

Martin, P., Lewis, R. K., & Guzman, B. (2023). Racial reckoning, resistance, and the revolution: A call to community psychology to move forward. American Journal of Community Psychology: Special Issue.

Suarez-Balcazar, Buckingham, S., Rusch, D., Charvonia, A., Young, R., Lewis, R., Ford-Paz, R., Tara, M., & Perez, C. (2023) Reproductive Justice for Black, Indigenous, Women of Color: Uprooting Race and Colonialism. Special Issue: American Journal of Community Psychology. DOI: 10:1002/ajcp.12650.

Malone, S., & Lewis, R. K. (2023). Compassion Fatigue among Spiritual leaders: A pilot study. Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling. 64-72. DOI: 10.1177/15423050221126099.

Lewis, R.K., Martin, P., & Guzman, B. (2022). COVID-19 and Vulnerable Populations. Editorial. Journal of Community Psychology: Special Issue

Petts, R., Lewis, R. K., Brooks, K., McGill, S., Lovelady, T., Galvez, M., & Davis, E. (2022) Examining patient and provider experiences with integrated care at a community health clinic. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research. 49, 32-49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-021-09764-2.

Siddiqui, H., Rattani, A., Woods, N., Cure, L., Lewis, R.,K., Twomey, J., Smith-Campbell, & Hill, T. (2021). A survey on Machine and Deep Learning Models for Childhood and Adolescent Obesity. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE Access). 10.1109/ACCESS.2021.31311.38.

Lewis, R. K. (2021). Mental health issues in crisis: Let’s talk about solutions. Journal of Prevention and Intervention, 49.

Thomas, G., Lewis, R. K., Brown, K., Maryman, J., LoCurto, J., Ojeda-Leitner, D., Siwierka, J., Dean, A., Bey, A., & Redmond, M. (2020). Breast Cancer Treat Experiences of The Witness Project of Kansas Participants Journal of the National Medical Association

Crabtree, E., Brest, B., & Lewis, R. K. (2021). An examination of suicidality of African American adolescents at a local and national level. Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community. 49.

Ojeda-Leitner, D., & Lewis, R. K. (2021). Assessing health-related stereotype threats and mental healthcare experiences among a LGBT sample. Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community. 49.

Presentations

Lewis, R. (November 2022). Using Equitable Evaluation Methods to Gather Information from the Community to Address the Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Juvenile Justice System. Poster. American Evaluation Association Convention. New Orleans, LA.

Lewis, R. K. , Keene Woods, Rattani, A., Cure, L., Hill, T., & Twomey, J. (September 2022). Using a Convergence Science Framework to change environments to reduce obesity. Poster. Virtual. 9th International Community Psychology Conference. Naples, Italy.

Lewis, R. K. (July, 2022). A Path Forward to Healing Examination of Suicidality Among African American Adolescents. Poster. 53rd International ABPSI Convention. Virtual Conference.

Lewis, R. K., Brooks, K., Shahin, H., Canare, R., & Malone, S. (June, 2021). Juvenile Justice Community Activation Project. Poster. 18 Biennial Society for Community Research and Action. Virtual Conference.

Guzman, B., Keys, C., Flores, Y., Kohn-Wood, L., & Lounsbury, D. (June, 2021). In Martin, P. & Lewis, R. K. (Moderators). Town Hall. Makes Me Want to Holler: Searching for White Co-conspirators when White Allies are Not Enough. 18 Biennial Society for Community Research and Action. Virtual Conference.

Guzman, B., Martin, P., & Lewis, R. K. (June, 2021). My Love Letter to Community Psychology. Opening Presidential Address. 18 Biennial Society for Community Research and Action. Virtual Conference.

Lewis, R. K., Jason, L., & Suarez-Balcazar, Y. (April, 2021). Mentoring Graduate Students and Early Career Professionals: Becoming Change Agents. Midwestern Psychological Association. Virtual Conference. Chicago, IL

Malone, S., & Lewis, R. K. (April, 2021). Compassion Fatigue Experienced by Spiritual Leaders. Poster Presentation. Midwestern Psychological Association. Virtual Conference. Chicago, IL.

Canare, R., & Lewis, R.K. (April, 2021). Just Desserts: Perceptions of Food Quality in Correctional Facilities. Poster Presentation. Midwestern Psychological Association. Virtual Conference. Chicago, IL.

Lewis, R. K., Shahin, H., & Mayes, P. (November, 2020). Assessing Voices: E-Cigarette use a dangerous health issue for emerging adults. Virtual Conference. 8th Annual International Community Psychology Conference. Victoria University. Australia.

Bey, A., Viola, J., Suarez-Balcazar, Y., and Lewis, R.K. (June, 2019). Community Psychology in the Workforce. Roundtable at the 17th Biennial Conference. Chicago, IL.

Lewis, R. K., & Mayes, Paigton, (June, 2019). Gathering Pilot Data Related to the Gun Control Debate. Ignite Presentation at the 17th Biennial Conference. Chicago, IL.

Lewis, R.K., Shahin, H., Garcia, J., & Brooks, K. (June, 2019). Healthy Behavior, Substance use and Religiosity Relation to Adverse Childhood Experience. Poster Presentation at the 17th Biennial Conference. Chicago, IL.

Bey, A., & Lewis, R. K. (July, 2018). The Role of Skin Complexion among African American Emerging Adults. Poster presentation at the 50th International ABPSI Convention. Oakland, CA.

Brooks, K., Ormond, A., & Lewis, R. K. (July, 2018). Black Identity as a Protective Factor to Success among Black University Students. Poster presentation at the 50th International ABPSI Convention. Oakland, CA.

Crabtree, E., and Lewis, R. K. (April, 2018). Examining the Educational Aspirations and Identifications with Academics of at Risk Youth. Poster presentation at the Southwestern Psychological Association. Houston, TX. 

Behavioral Community Research and Action Team

Director: Rhonda K. Lewis, Ph.D., MPH
rhonda.lewis@wichita.edu

Graduate Students

Madi DeFrain

madefrain@shockers.wichita.edu

Joshua Villa

jmvilla@shockers.wichita.edu

Alex Wren

arwren@shockers.wichita.edu

Ngoc Vuong 
nxvuong1@shockers.wichita.edu

Sara Leitner
sjleitner@shockers.wichita.edu

McKenzie James
mljames2@shockers.wichita.edu

Dr.Lewis Graduate Students Fall 2023