ALEXANDRA L. TERRILL, PhD portrait
  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy & Athletic Training
  • Associate Professor, Occupational & Recreational Therapies
(801) 581-5951

Research Statement

My background is in clinical psychology with specialized training in health and rehabilitation psychology. More specifically, my research experience encompasses three basic areas: (1) adjustment to chronic conditions such as stroke and associated disability, (2) the role of close relationships in managing chronic conditions (to include caregiving), and (3) positive psychology. My broad goal is to improve our understanding of how social, psychological and biological processes interact to affect the aging individual and develop interventions that enhance productivity and quality of life from early to late adulthood. Within this broad framework, I am particularly interested in investigating protective factors involved in the prevention of and adjustment to chronic medical conditions and associated disability, and to translate this knowledge into interventions designed to help individuals and their families foster resilience in the face of chronic conditions.

Research Keywords

  • Resilience
  • Rehabilitation Psychology
  • Psychology of Aging
  • Positive Psychology
  • Coping with Stressful Life Transitions
  • Psychological Moderators/Mediators of the Stress Response

Presentations

  • Terrill, A.L. (2022). ”Rehabbing the Couple”: Helping couples reimagine their relationship in the context of stroke to promote better outcomes. Keynote speaker at the 2022 Montana Stroke Rehab & Post-Acute Care Conference in Bozeman, MT, May 19, 2022. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 05/2022.
  • Redefining life in the context of stroke: Mental health considerations during rehabilitation (and beyond). Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/2021.
  • Terrill, A. L., Reblin, M., Einerson, J., MacKenzie, J., & Altizer, R. (2019; accepted October 2019). SupportGroove: developing an online intervention for couples coping with spinal cord injury. Abstract accepted for poster presentation at 22nd annual Rehabilitation Psychology in San Diego, CA, Feb 20-23, 2020. Poster, Presented, 02/2020.
  • Terrill, A. L., MacKenzie, J., Reblin, M., Einerson, J., Cardell, B., Berg, C., Richards, L., & Majersik, J. (2019; accepted November 2019). Promoting Resilience after Stroke in Dyads (ReStoreD): A mixed methods pilot study. Podium presentation at 22nd annual Rehabilitation Psychology conference in San Diego, CA, Feb 20-23, 2020. Presentation, Presented, 02/2020.
  • Terrill, A. L., Einerson, J., MacKenzie, J., Reblin, M., Cardell, B., Majersik, J., Richards, L. (2019). Promoting well-being in stroke survivors and care-partners through a dyadic positive psychology intervention. Poster presented at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) 96th annual conference in Chicago, IL, Nov 5-8, 2019. Poster, Presented, 11/2019.
  • Salinas, P., Terrill, A. L., Thomas, L., Vuagnat, H., & Einerson, J. (2019). Clinician’s toolkit: Addressing sex and intimacy with patients and partners after an acquired brain injury. Symposium presentation at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine in Chicago, IL, Nov 5-8, 2019. Presentation, Presented, 11/2019.
  • Utz, R., Caserta, M., Terrill, A. L., Stark, L., Wong, B., Iacob, E., & Pascoe, A. (2019). Using participatory research and community engagement to design an online caregiver support intervention. Poster presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Los Angeles, California, July 14–18, 2019. Poster, Presented, 07/2019.
  • Utz, R., & Terrill, A. L. (2018). Leveraging the power and connections of telehealth to support family caregivers. Poster presentated at the annual Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center conference in salt Lake City, UT. Poster, Presented, 10/2018.
  • Terrill, A. L., MacKenzie, J., Reblin, M., Einerson, J., Ferraro, J., & Altizer, R. (2018). Helping couples with spinal cord injury get their groove back: interdisciplinary online intervention development. Presented at the annual American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine in Dallas, TX. Poster, Presented, 10/2018.
  • Einerson, J., Card, S., Cardell, B., Richards, L., & Terrill, A. L. (2018). Caregiver burden, fatigue, social satisfaction, and participation: a call for more support. Presented at the annual American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine in Dallas, TX. Poster, Presented, 10/2018.
  • Salinas, P., Thomas, L., Terrill, A. L., Hu, X., Vuagnat, H., & Belagaje, S. (2018). Exploration of sex after stroke. Symposium presentation at American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine in Dallas, TX. Presentation, Presented, 10/2018.
  • Schwartz, J., Belagaje, S., Hu, X., Salinas, P., Terrill, A. L., & Thomas, L. (2018). Stroke Hot Topics: Addressing mental health in stroke rehabilitation. Symposium presentation at American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine in Dallas, TX. Presentation, Presented, 10/2018.
  • Terrill, A. L., Cardell, B., Einerson, J., Mackenzie, J. J., Majersik, J., & Richards, L. (2017). A couples-based positive psychology intervention improves depressive symptoms, participation, and quality of life after stroke. Presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association annual conference in Salt Lake City, UT. Poster, Presented, 04/2018.
  • Nagata, N., Kirby, A., Einerson, J., & Terrill, A. L. (2017). Resilience through adaptive recreation in stroke survivors: A biopsychosocial approach. Presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association annual conference in Salt Lake City, UT. Poster, Presented, 04/2018.
  • Einerson, J., Cardell, B., Richards, L., & Terrill, A. L. (2017). Occupational loss and perceived burden: Addressing care-partner needs post-stroke. Presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association annual conference in Salt Lake City, UT. Poster, Presented, 04/2018.
  • Terrill, A. L., MacKenzie, J. J., Cardell, E., Berg, C., Majersik, J., & Richards, L. (2018). Pilot testing a dyadic positive psychology intervention for couples coping with stroke. Oral presentation at the annual Rehabilitation Psychology conference in Dallas, TX. Presentation, Presented, 02/2018.
  • Terrill, A. L., Reblin, M., Mackenzie, J. J., Cardell, E., Berg, C., Majersik, J., & Richards, L. (2017). A couples-based intervention improves depressive symptoms in stroke survivors and care-partners. Poster presented at the annual American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine in Atlanta, GA. Poster, Presented, 10/2017.
  • Terrill, A. L., Trapp, S., MacKenzie, J. J., Gonzalez Arredondo, S., Rodriguez Agudelo, Y., & Arango-Lasprilla, J.-C. (2017). Family factors, distress, and life satisfaction among caregivers of patients with Parkinson's disease in Mexico. Poster presented at the annual American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine in Atlanta, GA. Poster, Presented, 10/2017.
  • Berry, M., Perez, R., Young, E., & Terrill, A. L. (2017). Assessing need for couples post-stroke: Negative and positive factors associated with relationship satisfaction. Poster presented at the annual American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine in Atlanta, GA. Poster, Presented, 10/2017.
  • Amtmann, D., Bamer, A. M., Bocell, F. D., Alschuler, K. N., Ehde, D. M., Jensen, M. P., Johnson, K., Silverman, A., Smith, A. E., Terrill, A. L., & Molton, I. R. (2017). The University of Washington resilience scale: Comparison to the general US population. Presented at the International Society for Quality of Life annual conference in Philadelphia, PA. Presentation, Presented, 10/2017.
  • Terrill, A. L. (2017). From surviving to thriving: Promoting resilience after stroke. Invited speaker at the Oregon Stroke Network’s 11th Annual Oregon Stroke Conference. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 09/2017.
  • Terrill, A. L. (2017). From surviving to thriving: Promoting resilience after stroke. Invited speaker at the Elaine J. Skalabrin Utah Stroke Symposium’s Rehabilitation Science break-out session. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 05/2017.
  • Terrill, A. L., Reblin, M., Mackenzie, J. J., Cardell, E., Berg, C., Majersik, J., & Richards, L. (2017). A novel couples-based intervention for stroke survivors and partner caregivers improves mood and quality of life. Abstract accepted for presentation at the International Stroke Conference in Houston, TX. Poster, Presented, 02/2017.
  • Terrill, A. L., Reblin, M., Mackenzie, J. J., Einerson, J., Cardell, E., Berg, C., Majersik, J., & Richards, L. (2016). Promoting resilience in couples after stroke: Feasibility testing of a dyadic positive psychology-based intervention. Presented at the annual American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine in Chicago, IL. Poster, Presented, 11/2016.
  • Einerson, J., Cardell, E., & Terrill, A. L. (2016). “Things are different around here”: Activity participation and role changes for survivors and caregivers post-stroke.” Presented at the annual American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine in Chicago, IL. Poster, Presented, 11/2016.
  • Amtmann, D., Bocell, F. D., Alschuler, K., Ehde, D. M., Jensen, M. P., Johnson, K., Silverman, A., Smith, A., Terrill, A. L., & Molton, I. R. (2016). University of Washington Resilience Scale: A new item bank. Presented at the International Society for Quality of Life Research in Copenhagen, Denmark. Presentation, Presented, 10/2016.
  • Terrill, A. L., Reblin, M., Mackenzie, J. J., Einerson, J., Cardell, E., Berg, C., Majersik, J., & Richards, L. (2016). Promoting resilience after stroke in dyads (ReStoreD) through a positive psychology intervention. Presented at the annual Rehabilitation Psychology conference in Atlanta, GA. Poster, Presented, 02/2016.
  • MacKenzie, J. J., Reblin, M., Sheppard, S. R., Derbidge, C. M., & Terrill, A. L. (2016). Social support, marital quality, life satisfaction, and depression among individuals with spinal cord injury and their romantic partners: A Pilot study. Presented at the annual Rehabilitation Psychology conference in Atlanta, GA. Poster, Presented, 02/2016.
  • Terrill, A. L. (2015). Resilience: Bouncing back and living well after brain injury. Invited speaker at the Brain Injury Alliance of Utah’s 2015 Family and Professionals Conference. Presentation, Presented, 10/2015.
  • Richards, L., & Terrill, A. L. (2015). How do I make sense of all this evidence? Skills in the Evidence part of Evidenced-Based Practice. Workshop presented at the Utah Occupational Therapy Association’s annual meeting in Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 10/2015.
  • Ellington, L., Terrill, A. L., John, K.K., Reblin, M., & Clayton, M. F. (2015). Expression of positive emotions among family caregivers of hospice cancer patients. In L. Ellington’s (Chair), Advanced cancer caregivers: Implications of communication with patients and providers. Symposium conducted at the International Conference on Communication in Healthcare in New Orleans, LA. Presentation, Presented, 10/2015.
  • Amtmann, D., Verrall, A., Terrill, A. L., Smith, A.E., Silverman, A., Ehde, D.M., Alschuler, K., Jensen, M.P., Wilson, R., Johnson, K., & Molton, I. R. (2015). Resilience in the Context of Chronic Disease and Disability. Presented at the International Society for Quality of Life Research in Vancouver, BC. Presentation, Presented, 10/2015.
  • Terrill, A. L., & Molton, I. R. (2015). The role of resilience in adjusting to life stressors in adults aging with disability. Oral presentation at the 9th annual Congress of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine in Berlin, Germany. Presentation, Presented, 06/2015.
  • Müller, R., Gertz, K., Terrill, A.L., Molton, I.R., Bombardier, C.H., Ehde, D. M., & Jensen, M.P. (2015). Effects of a tailored positive psychology intervention on well-being and pain in individuals with chronic pain and physical disability: A feasibility trial. Oral presentation at the 9th annual Congress of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine in Berlin, Germany. Presentation, Presented, 06/2015.
  • Terrill, A.L., & Verrall, A. (2014). Aging with a physical disability Aging RRTC: Lessons learned. Invited speaker at the Post-Polio Health International’s 11th Conference: Promoting Healthy Ideas in St. Louis, MS. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 06/2014.
  • Terrill, A.L., Molton, I.R., Amtmann, D., & Jensen, M.P. (2014). Resilience, self-efficacy, and pain in persons aging with long-term physical disability. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. Poster, Presented, 04/2014.

Grants, Contracts & Research Gifts

  • RESTORED R01. PI: TERRILL,ALEXANDRA LIISA. NIH NATIONAL INST CHILD HLTH &, 09/01/2021 - 08/31/2026. Total project budget to date: $1,144,452.00
  • NEILSEN PSR STUDIES. PI: TERRILL,ALEXANDRA LIISA. CRAIG H NEILSEN FOUNDATION, 04/30/2021 - 04/29/2024. Total project budget to date: $400,000.00

Languages

  • English, fluent.
  • German, fluent.

Publications

  • Terrill, A. L., & Garofalo, J. P. (2012). Cardiovascular disease and the workplace. In R. J. Gatchel & I. Z. Schultz (Eds.), Handbook of Occupational Health and Wellness. New York, NY: Springer. Published, 12/2012.
  • Einerson J, Cardell B, Majersik JJ, Reblin M, Richards LG & Terrill AL (2022). Piloting GETCare: A Goal-Based Education and Skills Training Program for Caregivers. Rehabilitation Nursing Journal. Vol. 47, 220227220-227. Published, 11/01/2022.
  • Gordon EL, Terrill AL, Smith TW, Ibele AR, Martinez P & McGarrity LA (2022). Overvaluation of Shape and Weight (Not BMI) Associated with Depressive Symptoms and Binge Eating Symptoms Pre- and Post-bariatric Surgery. Obesity Surgery. Vol. 32, 227222792272-2279. Published, 07/01/2022.
  • Niermeyer M, Einerson JT & Terrill AL (2022). Perceptions of function and recovery among persons with stroke and care partners. Rehabilitation Psychology. Vol. 67, 215225215-225. Published, 05/01/2022.
  • Anderson MA, Buffo C, Nguyen H, Ketcher D, Reblin M, MacKenzie J & Terrill AL (2022). Applying the RISE Model of Resilience in Partners Post-Stroke: A Qualitative Analysis. Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Vol. 56, 270281270-281. Published, 03/01/2022.
  • McGarrity LA, Terrill AL, Martinez PL, Ibele AR, Morrow EH, Volckmann E & Smith TW (2022). The Role of Resilience in Psychological Health Among Bariatric Surgery Patients. Obesity Surgery. Vol. 32, 792-800. Published, 02/01/2022.
  • Terrill AL, Reblin M, MacKenzie JJ, Baucom BRW, Einerson J, Cardell B, Richards L & Majersik J (2022). Intimate Relationships and Stroke: Piloting a Dyadic Intervention to Improve Depression. International journal of environmental research and public health. Vol. 19, 1804. Published, 02/01/2022.
  • Utz RL, Terrill AL & Thompson A (2021). Online interventions to support family caregivers: The value of community-engaged research practices. Journal of prevention & intervention in the community. 1-16. Published, 12/01/2021.
    https://doi.org/10.1080/10852352.2021.1930817
  • Akinwuntan A, Hu X, Terrill AL, Burns SP, Cooper Hay C & Belagaje SR (2021). Young Stroke: Resources for Patients, Their Families, and Caregivers for Long-Term Community Living. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Vol. 102, 1035-1039. Published, 06/01/2021.
  • Furrer A, Michel G, Terrill AL, Jensen MP & Müller R (2019). Modeling subjective well-being in individuals with chronic pain and a physical disability: the role of pain control and pain catastrophizing. Disability and rehabilitation. Vol. 41, 498-507. Published, 12/01/2019.
  • Terrill AL, MacKenzie JJ, Reblin M, Einerson J, Ferraro J & Altizer R (2019). A Collaboration Between Game Developers and Rehabilitation Researchers to Develop a Web-Based App for Persons With Physical Disabilities: Case Study. JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologies. Vol. 6, e13511. Published, 09/2019.
    https://doi.org/10.2196/13511
  • Terrill AL & Molton IR (2019). Frequency and impact of midlife stressors among men and women with physical disability. Disability and rehabilitation. Vol. 41, 1760-1767. Published, 07/2019.
  • Terrill, A. L., MacKenzie, J. J., Einerson, J. & Reblin, M. (2019). Resilience and disability: Intra-personal, interpersonal, and social environment factors.. (pp. 213-331). Oxford University Press. Published, 05/2019.
  • Terrill AL, Schwartz JK & Belagaje S (2019). Understanding Mental Health Needs After Mild Stroke. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Vol. 100, 1003-1008. Published, 05/2019.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2018.12.017
  • Beier M, Hartoonian N, D'Orio VL, Terrill AL, Bhattarai J', Paisner ND & Alschuler KN (2019). Relationship of perceived stress and employment status in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Work (Reading, Mass.). Vol. 62, 243-249. Published, 05/01/2019.
  • Terrill AL, Reblin M, MacKenzie JJ, Cardell B, Einerson J, Berg CA, Majersik JJ & Richards L (2018). Development of a novel positive psychology-based intervention for couples post-stroke. Rehabilitation psychology. Vol. 63, 43-54. Published, 08/01/2018.
    https://doi.org/10.1037/rep0000181
  • Terrill AL, Ellington L, John KK, Latimer S, Xu J, Reblin M & Clayton MF (2018). Positive emotion communication: Fostering well-being at end of life. Patient education and counseling. Vol. 101, 631-638. Published, 05/01/2018.
  • Terrill AL, Molton IR, Ehde DM, Amtmann D, Bombardier CH, Smith AE & Jensen MP (2017). Resilience, age, and perceived symptoms in persons with long-term physical disabilities. Journal of health psychology. Vol. 21, 640-9. Published, 12/01/2017.
  • Müller R, Gertz KJ, Molton IR, Terrill AL, Bombardier CH, Ehde DM & Jensen MP (2016). Effects of a Tailored Positive Psychology Intervention on Well-Being and Pain in Individuals With Chronic Pain and a Physical Disability: A Feasibility Trial. The Clinical journal of pain. Vol. 32, 32-44. Published, 09/01/2016.
  • Müller R, Terrill AL, Jensen MP, Molton IR, Ravesloot C & Ipsen C (2016). Happiness, Pain Intensity, Pain Interference, and Distress in Individuals with Physical Disabilities. American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation. Vol. 94, 1041-51. Published, 02/01/2016.
  • Hartoonian N, Terrill AL, Beier ML, Turner AP, Day MA & Alschuler KN (2015). Predictors of anxiety in multiple sclerosis. Rehabilitation psychology. Vol. 60, 91-8. Published, 12/01/2015.
  • Terrill AL, Müller R, Jensen MP, Molton IR, Ipsen C & Ravesloot C (2015). Association between age, distress, and orientations to happiness in individuals with disabilities. Rehabilitation Psychology. Vol. 60, 27-35. Published, 12/01/2015.
  • Terrill AL, Hartoonian N, Beier M, Salem R & Alschuler K (2015). The 7-item generalized anxiety disorder scale as a tool for measuring generalized anxiety in multiple sclerosis. International journal of MS care. Vol. 17, 49-56. Published, 04/01/2015.
  • Molton IR & Terrill AL (2014). Overview of persistent pain in older adults. The American psychologist. Vol. 69, 197-207. Published, 08/01/2014.
  • Molton IR, Terrill AL, Smith AE, Yorkston KM, Alschuler KN, Ehde DM & Jensen MP (2014). Modeling secondary health conditions in adults aging with physical disability. Journal of aging and health. Vol. 26, 335-59. Published, 05/01/2014.
  • Terrill, AL, Garofalo, JP, Soliday, E & Craft, R (2012). Multiple Roles and Stress Burden in Women: A Conceptual Model of Heart Disease Risk. Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research. Vol. 17(1), 4-22. Published, 03/2012.
  • Terrill AL, Ruiz JM & Garofalo JP (2011). Look on the bright side: do the benefits of optimism depend on the social nature of the stressor?. Journal of behavioral medicine. Vol. 33, 399-414. Published, 01/01/2011.
  • Ruiz, John M., Terrill, Alexandra L. & Hutchinson, James G. (2008). For Better and Worse: Social Influences on Coronary Heart Disease Risk. Wiley-Blackwell. Vol. 2(3), 1400-1414. Published, 10/2008.