Emily Midgette, MA

Emily Midgette

Undergraduate School
East Carolina University

 

Graduate School
East Carolina University, Clinical Health Psychology

 

Interests and Career Goals

My research and clinical interests broadly focus on adjustment to chronic illness and using values-based interventions (e.g., Behavioral Activation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) to promote health behavior change. My personal experiences growing up in rural Eastern NC have shaped my passion and professional interests in working with patients from rural and underserved backgrounds. My future career goals include gaining a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of various experiences that influence psychological concerns and treatment, including barriers that many patients encounter such as medical mistrust and health literacy concerns. This increased understanding will help to inform my clinical practice with individuals who are experiencing difficulties with adjustment and management of medical diagnoses and inform future research on the efficacy of values-based interventions to address adjustment and health behavior change.

Favorite Pastimes

I love spending time with my little rodent family (I have three bunnies, one hamster, and one mouse, and I will most definitely show anyone, and everyone pictures of them). I am a team trivia enthusiast even though I normally come in middle place. I enjoy being outside, especially on the water (e.g., kayaking, paddle boarding). On a typical Saturday, I can often be found doing something creative like playing The Sims (ask me about my Sims households), trying a new baking recipe or knitting.   

Why I chose Duke

I chose Duke because the training objectives aligned incredibly well with my interests and goals for a future career as a clinical health psychologist. I was particularly drawn by the ability to gain specialized training in psycho-oncology and chronic pain, as well as the opportunity to receive additional training in delivering values-based interventions to patients with complex medical and psychological needs. Finally, the internship faculty and Duke Health’s mission of providing comprehensive and affordable healthcare to the underserved in our community aligned well with my personal values.

Research Interests

My research interests and experiences have primarily been related to health behavior promotion. Specifically, I am interested in understanding how psychosocial factors can affect adherence to medical treatment and self-management recommendations. Much of my previous research has focused on using ecological momentary assessment to examine how shifts in mood, avoidance, and sleep-related factors (e.g., subjective sleep quality and fatigue) affect adherence to specific health behaviors (e.g., attendance to a rehabilitation program for cardiopulmonary disease). For my dissertation, I applied behavior change principles from values-based treatments (i.e., Behavioral Activation, ACT) to design a novel, telehealth intervention for improving adherence to Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation.

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Values-Based Telehealth Intervention to Promote Adherence in cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Patients (2021-Present)

  • Cardiovascular Psychophysiology Laboratory, East Carolina University,
  • Vidant Health’s Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, Greenville, NC
  • Dissertation: Conceptualized and designed mixed-methods study to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a novel, values-based telehealth intervention designed to improve adherence to CVPR through the promotion of values-based health behavior change. Completed thorough literature review and project proposal. Designed the values-based telehealth intervention to be provided. Organizing a team of providers and will provide training to increase intervention validity.

The Efficacy and Acceptability of Self-Compassion within a Behavioral Weight Loss Program Delivered Using Video Conferencing Software (2020-2020)

  • Health Living Laboratory, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
  • Duties: Assisted with a research study examining the effectiveness of a novel weight loss approach which compares a standard weight loss intervention (Diabetes Prevention Program) with an approach that includes self-compassion exercises. Co-led two telehealth-based weight loss groups of 6-8 participants for 12-sessions each. Assisted in overseeing participant activities and data collection using remote monitoring tools, including MyFitnessPal and Fitbit.

Ecological Momentary Assessment of Sleep Quality, Daytime Fatigue, and Outcomes in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Patients (2018-2020)

  • Cardiovascular Psychophysiology Laboratory, East Carolina University, Vidant Health’s Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, Greenville, NC
  • Master’s Thesis: Conceptualized and implemented study. Completed thorough literature review and project proposal. Recruited participants at Vidant Medical Center’s Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center. Oriented patients to utilize a mobile ecological momentary assessment application. Managed online health outcomes registry data. Managed and analyzed momentary data. Trained team to assist with data collection. Disseminated findings via posters and platform presentations. Preparing manuscript for submission.

Improving Diabetes Management by Assessing Barriers to SuperSNAP Program Utilization in Patients with Uncontrolled Diabetes: A Quality Improvement Project at Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center (2019-2020)

  • Scholars for Healthcare Advancement and Process Excellence (SHAPE) Program, ECU Family Medicine, Greenville, NC & Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center, Ahoskie, NC
  • Duties: Assisted in the development of a quality improvement project to assess barriers to SuperSNAP program utilization in patients with uncontrolled diabetes. Met with multidisciplinary team of nursing students, medical students, and behavioral health specialists to conceptualize and implement study. Attended case conferences with diabetes specialists at Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center. Managed and analyzed data. Disseminated findings via symposium poster presentations.

College Student Health Study (2016-2020)

  • Cardiovascular Psychophysiology Laboratory, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
  • Duties: Assist with collection of transdiagnostic physiological data (e.g., heart rate variability, blood pressure, body mass index) to be connected to a series of measures assessing college students’ health behaviors and mental and physical health. Assisted with data management and statistical analyses. Assisted with poster and manuscript preparation.

Mindful Motherhood for ENHANCED by Mom Project (2018-2019)

  • Stress & Coping Laboratory & Department of Kinesiology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
  • Duties: Facilitated weekly one-hour group mindfulness training sessions for 1-4 pregnant women integrating mindful movement, mindful eating, and mindful breathing practices.

Sharing the Story of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Patient Experience: A Qualitative Study (2018-2019)

  • Cardiovascular Psychophysiology Laboratory, East Carolina University,
  • Vidant Health’s Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, Greenville, NC
  • Duties: Assisted in the development of a prototypical patient narrative of the cardiac rehabilitation experience for providers and prospective patients using narrative analysis. Assisted with thematic analysis of qualitative interviews from a previous study. Disseminated findings via poster and platform presentations and manuscript publication. Assisted in the development of educational materials for cardiac rehabilitation patients and staff based on this narrative analysis. 

A Brief Intervention to Reduce Sugar Consumption on College Campuses (2018)

  • Healthy Living Laboratory, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
  • Duties: Assisted with a research study examining the effectiveness of a psychoeducational workshop on sugar consumption over time. Co-led six two-hour psychoeducational group workshops with 6-10 participants. Assisted in overseeing participant activities and data collection using remote monitoring tools, including MyFitnessPal.

Ecological Momentary Assessment of Sleep Quality, Daytime Sleepiness, and Eating Behavior among College Students (2017-2018)

  • Cardiovascular Psychophysiology Laboratory
  • Duties: Conceptualized and implemented study. Applied for and received grant funding ($1500). Performed in-person interviews. Oriented participant to utilize a mobile ecological momentary assessment application. Trained team to assist with participant activities. Managed and analyzed data. Disseminated findings via posters and platform presentations. Preparing manuscript for submission.

Life Values as an Intrinsic Guide for Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program Engagement: A Qualitative Analysis (2016-2017)

  • Cardiovascular Psychophysiology Laboratory, East Carolina University,
  • Vidant Health’s Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, Greenville, NC
  • Duties: Assisted with a qualitative research project that involved the examination of the motivating factors and life values guiding health behavior changes in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation patients. Managed and transcribed data. Assisted with thematic analysis using NVivo Version 10. Disseminated findings via poster and publication.

Publications

  • Ellis, J.M, Midgette, E.P., Capiaghi, A.J., Schoemann, A.M., Sears, S.F., Kyle, B.N., Carels, R.A., & Whited, M.C. (In Press). Mobile Assessment of experiential avoidance, mood, stress, and adherence in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation. Journal of Health Psychology.
  • Sall, K.E., Griffith, A.M., Midgette, E.P., Tripp, C., Winters, A., Nekkanti, R., & Sears, S.F. (In Press.). Cardiac psychology training in a rural healthcare setting: East Carolina Heart Institute [Special issue]. Health Psychology.
  • Ellis, J.M., Freeman, J.T., Midgette, E.P., Sagnhvi, A.P., Sarathy, B., Johnson, C.G., Greenway, S.B., & Whited, M.C. (2019). Sharing the Story of the Cardiac Rehab Patient Experience: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 39(4).
  • Ellis, J. M., Whited, M. C., Freeman, J. T., Corson, A. T., Jameson, J. P., Greenway, S., Sager, D. M., Midgette, E. P., & Varju, E. V. (2017). Life values as an intrinsic guide for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program engagement: A qualitative analysis. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 1-5.

Poster Presentations

  • McNinch, A., Midgette, E.P., Stephens, K., Whited, M.C., Pazda, A. (2022, March). The Impact of Illness Perception in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Patients: An Exploratory Study in a Rural Southeastern Population. Poster submitted to the Southeastern Psychological Association 68th Annual Meeting, Hilton Head Island, SC.
  • Pigart-Coleman, J., Whited, M.C., Midgette, E.P., Capiaghi, A.J., McNinch, A., Davis, H.M. (2022, April). Exploring potential benefits of social support in commercial videogames on college student behavioral health during COVID-19. Poster submitted to the Society of Behavioral Medicine 43rd Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
  • Midgette, E.P., Whited, M.C., Ellis, J.M., Griffith. A.M., Schoemann, A.M., Capiaghi, A.J., McNinch, A., Davis, H.M., & Pigart-Coleman, C.J. (2021, April). Ecological Momentary Assessment of Sleep Quality, Daytime Fatigue, and Engagement in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine 42nd Annual [Virtual] Meeting.
  • Davis, H., Whited, M.C., Mochrie, K., Ellis, J.M., Midgette, E.P., & Capiaghi, A.J. (2021, April). Gender as a Moderator of the Association Between Depression, Experiential Avoidance, and Substance Use among College Students. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine 42nd Annual [Virtual] Meeting.
  • Pigart, C., Whited, M.C., Ellis, J.M., Capiaghi, A.J., & Midgette, E.P. (2020, March). Exploring an Interaction of Antidepressants and Depressive Symptoms on Health Behaviors in College Students. Poster presented at the 14th Annual Research & Creative Achievement Week, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
  • Kragel, E. A., Shartle, E., Midgette, E. P., Smith. H. C., & Bragshaw, D. E. (2020, February). Improving Diabetes Management by Assessing Barriers to SuperSNAP Program Utilization in Patients with Uncontrolled Diabetes: A Quality Improvement Project at Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center. Poster presented at the 4th Annual Unified Quality Improvement Symposium, East Carolina Health Institute, Greenville, NC.
  • Ellis, J.M., Midgette, E.P., Freeman, J.T., Capiaghi, A., & Whited, M.C. (2019, September). The Cardiac Rehab Experience: A Narrative Inquiry. Poster presented at the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation 34th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR.
  • Capiaghi, A., Varju, E.V., & Midgette, E.P. (2019, March). Anxiety and Behavioral Inhibition as Suboptimal Forms of Self-Regulation among Depressed College Students. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine 40th Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.
  • Freeman, J.T., Whited, M.C., Ellis, J.M., Midgette, E.P., & Corson, A.T. (2019, March). A Pilot Study of the Impact of a Brief Values-Based Exercise Promotion Intervention on College Student Exercise Levels. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine 40th Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.
  • Ellis, J.M., Freeman, J.T., Midgette, E.P., & Whited, M.C. (2019, March). The Cardiac Rehab Patient Experience: A Narrative Inquiry. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine 40th Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.
  • Griffith, A.M., Ellis, J.M., Schoemann, A.M., Corson, A.T., Freeman, J.T., Midgette, E.P., & Whited, M.C. (2018, November). The Relationship Between Neuroticism, Distress Tolerance, Mindfulness, Behavioral Activation, and Experiential Avoidance: A Moderated Mediation. Poster presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 52nd Annual Convention, Washington D.C.
  • Midgette, E.P., Whited, M.C., Freeman, J.T., Ellis, J.M., & Corson, A.T. (2018, April). The Impact of Sleep Quality on College Students’ Appetitive Behavior. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine 39th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
  • Freeman, J.T., Whited, M.C., Ellis, J.M., Corson, A.T., & Midgette, E.P. (2018, April). Physical Activity Consistent with One's Values is Associated with Higher Levels of Physical Activity in a College Student Sample. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine 39th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
  • Midgette, E. P., Whited, M. C., Ellis, J. M., Freeman, J. T., Corson, A. T., Varju, E., & Edwards, A. (2018, March). The Association between Poor Quality Sleep, Daytime Sleepiness, and Eating Behaviors among College Students: An Ecological Momentary Assessment. Poster presented at the 12th Annual Research & Creative Achievement Week, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
  • Ellis, J.M., Whited, M.C., Freeman, J.T., Corson, A.T., Midgette, E.P., Greenway, S., Sager, D.M., & Varju, E.V. (2017, October). An Exploration of Life Values and Individual differences in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Patients. Poster presented at the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation 32nd Annual Meeting, Charleston, SC.
  • Whited, M.C., Ellis, J.M., Corson, A.T., Freeman, J.T., Midgette, E.P., Pagoto, S.L., Waring, M.E., May, C., Schneider, K.L., Busch, A.M., Appelhans, B.M., Varju, E., Nye, L. (2017). College Students’ Use of Mobile Applications for Weight Loss. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine 38th Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.

Invited Talks

  • Cellucci, T., Midgette, E. P., & Capiaghi, A. J. (2021, June). Motivational Interviewing Skills for Dental Students. Training provided to SoDM students, Greenville, NC.
  • Capiaghi, A. J., Whited, M. C., Griffith, A. M., Midgette, E. P., McNinch, A., Pigart, C. J., Davis, H., & Cunnane, L. A. (2021, April). Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are Associated with both Physical and Mental Health Difficulties Among Emerging Adults. Research talk presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine 42nd Annual [Virtual] Meeting & Scientific Sessions.
  • Midgette, E.P. (2021, February). An Accountant, Pharmacist, and Cardiac Psychologist Enter a WebEx Room: A Case of ICD Shock Anxiety Following Ventricular Tachycardia. Case presentation presented at ECU Clinical Health Psychology Brown Bag, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
  • Midgette, E.P., Whited, M.C., Ellis, J.M., Capiaghi, A., Schoemann, A.M., Griffith, A.M., & Davis, H.M. (2020, April). Ecological Momentary Assessment Versus Standard Self-Report Measures of Insomnia Symptoms among College Students. Research talk presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine 41st Annual [Virtual] Meeting & Scientific Sessions.
  • Ellis. J.M., Midgette, E.P., Whited, M.C., & Schoemann, A.M. (2020, April). Experiential Avoidance Predicts Positive Mood in Cardiopulmonary Rehab Patients. Research talk presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine 41st Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions, San Francisco, CA.
  • Midgette, E. P., Kragel, E. A., Shartle, E., Smith. H. C., & Bragshaw, D. E. (2020, February). Improving Diabetes Management by Assessing Barriers to SuperSNAP Program Utilization in Patients with Uncontrolled Diabetes: A Quality Improvement Project at Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center. Research talk presented at the annual end-of-year meeting of the Scholars for Healthcare Advancement and Process Excellence (SHAPE) Program, ECU Family Medicine, East Carolina Health Institute, Greenville, NC.
  • Midgette, E.P. (2020, January). A Biopsychosocial Perspective on “Talking Smack.” Case Presentation presented at ECU Family Medicine Academic Afternoon Behavioral Medicine Presentation, Greenville, NC.
  • Midgette, E.P., Whited, M.C., Schoemann, A.M., & Ellis, J.E. (2019, March). Ecological Momentary Assessment of Sleep Quality, Daytime Sleepiness, and Eating Behavior among College Students. Research talk presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine 40th Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.