Behavioral Medicine Annual Report

by Gretchen Dittrich

Within the science of behavior analysis, we recognize that all behavior is susceptible to conditioning, regardless of its complexity. Therefore, the field of behavior analysis is perfectly suited to identify and change behaviors related to health and disease states. The field of behavioral medicine focuses on utilizing behavior analytic principles and procedures to identify and manipulate variables influencing behaviors associated with health and disease states. By changing specific behaviors (i.e., increasing behaviors associated with improved health and decreasing behaviors associated with disease states or decreased health), we can improve overall health status for individuals. Behavioral medicine is an interdisciplinary field, which integrates behavioral science with biomedical science to improve overall health, increase adherence to medical regimes, and modify behaviors associated with the prevention of chronic illness.

The role of behavior analysis is important in the field of behavioral medicine. It is the mission of the Behavioral Medicine Special Interest Group (SIG) to encourage interdisciplinary research in the areas of behavioral health promotion and the prevention of chronic illness, emphasizing the need for function-based and empirically validated treatments for chronic health disorders. Behavioral Medicine SIG offers students, researchers, practitioners, and consumers opportunities to discuss issues related to public health promotion and disease prevention. All are welcome to join the Behavioral Medicine SIG. We hope that the SIG will help consumers and practitioners better understand the role of behavior analysis in the medical and healthcare industry, including public health, health sciences, mental health and wellness, and lifestyle change. The Behavioral Medicine SIG provides an outlet for the dissemination of behavioral medicine research and practice, offers opportunities for discussions on current and developing research within the field, and sponsors continuing education events for
SIG members. Behavioral Medicine SIG is committed to growing the field and supporting student research in the area of behavioral medicine. The SIG issues an annual student research award for outstanding master’s-level or doctoral-level research in behavioral medicine. In 2023, the SIG introduced an annual student research proposal grant. To learn more about the Behavioral Medicine SIG, including membership and the annual Student Research Award and Student Research Proposal Grant, visit our new website (www.behavioralmedicinesig.org/) or contact us via email at bxmedsig@gmail.com. You can also follow us on social media (Facebook page: Behavioral Medicine SIG of ABA-I.In 2023, SIG members, Dr. Jessica Mias (webmaster) and Dr. Gretchen Dittrich (chair), launched the new Behavioral Medicine SIG website with information on different topics in behavioral medicine and health promotion. The SIG will begin offering synchronous and asynchronous webinars on the website in late 2023, covering various topics in behavioral medicine, with CEUs available for purchase for SIG members. The Behavioral Medicine SIG is currently welcoming SIG members to submit suggestions for webinar topics (contact bxmedsig@gmail.com for suggestions). The SIG is also planning a virtual conference for SIG members in 2024.

The Call for papers is now open for the 2023 Behavioral Medicine SIG annual Student Research Award and the Student Research Proposal grant. The award recipients will be announced on the Behavioral Medicine Website, on the SIG social media, and at the annual business meeting, held during the ABA-I annual convention. Applications and nominations for the Student Research Award and the Student Research Proposal grant may be submitted via email to bxmedsig@gmail.com. We encourage all students to apply for these awards.

Student Research Award Submission Guidelines:

Applicants must submit an original research paper in the area of behavioral medicine. Papers should be formatted according to APA Publication Manual 7th edition guidelines. Research should be complete at the time of submission.The student’s research advisor should submit
a brief statement via email to bxmedsig@gmail.com indicating that the student was responsible for the majority of the research submitted.

Student Research Proposal Grant Submission Guidelines:

Applicants must submit an original research proposal in the area of behavioral medicine. Papers should be formatted according to APA Publication Manual 7th edition guidelines. Submissions should include a brief literature review supporting the research question, clear and technological method section outlining the proposed participants and recruitment methods, the experimental design and plan for data analysis, the protocol, and a summary of expected outcomes, based on the literature. Students must also submit a letter of approval from
the university Institutional Review Board. The award recipient will be expected to provide progress updates
on the research.

The student’s research advisor should submit a brief statement via email to bxmedsig@gmail.com indicating that the student was responsible for developing the proposal and is expected to complete the research.

Questions

Questions regarding eligibility criteria, submissions, or general questions about the student research award should be directed to:

Gretchen A. Dittrich, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA

Chair, Behavioral Medicine SIG of ABA-I

bxmedsig@gmail.com.