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Derek Hopko

Research Interests

Treatment of clinical depression, treatment of co-existent pathological and medical conditions, attentional processes among individuals with performance-based anxiety disorders, relations among anxious-responding and skill deficits as these relate to substandard performance in social and academic (testing) contexts.

Research statement

In general, my research and clinical interests involve the behavioral assessment and treatment of individuals with mood and anxiety disorders. More specifically, I conduct treatment outcome research as it pertains to the relative efficacy of interventions to treat clinical depression, also addressing co-existent medical conditions (i.e., cancer) that may be involved in the etiology and maintenance of depressive syndromes. Recent research in this area has addressed the practicality of extending a brief behavioral activation approach to treating depression within a primary care environment (Hopko, Bell, Armento, Hunt, & Lejuez, 2005). In the area of anxiety disorders, primary areas of interests include investigating attentional processes of individuals with performance-based anxiety disorders (i.e., social anxiety, test anxiety, math anxiety) and assessing relations among anxious-responding, skill deficits, and motivational differences as these factors relate to substandard performance in social and academic contexts. Finally, I have strong interests in the realm of behavioral assessment. In this area, focus is on: (a) the development of novel methods to assess depression and anxiety, and (b) conducting psychometric work to evaluate the validity and reliability of current methods of assessing depression and anxiety.

Honors

  • University of Tennessee Chancellor’s Award for Professional Promise in Research (2006)

Editorial Boards

  • Behavior Therapy
  • Clinical Case Studies
  • Journal of Anxiety Disorders
  • Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment
  • Psychotherapy: Theory/Research/Practice/Training

Grants

  1. CBATD for Depressed Cancer Patients.
    Principal Investigator: Derek R. Hopko, Ph.D.
    Agency: National Cancer Institute/National Institute of Mental Health
    Type: R03 (Project R03 CA112918-01)
    Period: 01/01/2005 – 12/31/2006
    Total Costs = $141,068
    Role on Project: Principal Investigator

  2. The Behavioral Treatment of Depressed Cancer Patients in Primary Care.
    Principal Investigator: Derek R. Hopko, Ph.D.
    Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
    Type: BSTART (Project R03 MH067569-01)
    Period: 01/01/2003 – 12/31/2003
    Total Costs = $72,750
    Role on Project: Principal Investigator

  3. Assessing predictors of C-PAP Compliance in Sleep Apnea Patients.
    Co-Principal Investigators: Derek R. Hopko, Ph.D., Steve Plenzler, Ph.D., & Michael Eisenstadt, M.D.
    Agency: St. Mary’s Hospital
    Type: Sleep Medicine Research Development Award
    Period: 01/01/2005 – 12/31/2006
    Total Costs = $6,000
    Role on Project: Co-Principal Investigator

  4. Treating Late-life GAD in Primary Care.
    Principal Investigator: Melinda Stanley, Ph.D.
    Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
    Period: 10/2003 - 09/2007.
    Total Costs = $1,200,000
    Role on Project: Independent Evaluator – Treatment Integrity

  5. Behavioral Activation Treatment for Chronic Smokers
    Principal Investigator: Carl W. Lejuez, Ph.D.
    Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
    Period: 01/2006 - 12/2008.
    Total Costs = $800,000
    Role on Project: Consultant – Behavior Activation Treatment Design and Implementation

Selected Publications

Daughters, S. B., Braun, A. R., Sargeant, M. N., Reynolds, E. K., Hopko, D. R., Blanco, C., Nunes, E., & Lejuez, C. W. (2008). Effectiveness of a brief behavioral treatment for inner-city illicit drug users with elevated depressive symptoms: The Life Enhancement Treatment for Substance Use (LETS ACT!). Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 69, 122-129.

Hopko, D. R., Bell, J. L., Armento, M. E. A., Robertson, S. M. C., Mullane, C., Wolf, N., & Lejuez, C. W. (2008). Cognitive-behavior therapy for depressed cancer patients in a medical care setting. Behavior Therapy, 39, 126-136.

Hopko, D. R., Bell, J., Armento, M. E. A., Robertson, S. M. C., Hunt, M. K., Wolf, N. J., & Mullane, C. (2008). Phenomenology and screening of clinical depression in cancer patients. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 26, 31-51.

Hopko, D. R., Colman, L., & Carvalho, J. P. (2008). Depression in Cancer Patients: Prevalence, Impact, Assessment, and Intervention. Depression: Mind and Body, 4, 51-62.

Hopko, D. R., & Mullane, C. M. (2008). Exploring the relation of depression and overt behavior using daily diaries. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 46, 1085-1089.

Hopko, D. R., & Robertson, S. M. C. (2008). Depression. In F. T. L. Leong (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Counseling (Vol. 2, pp. 557-561). New York: Sage. 

Kunik, M. E., Veazey, C., Cully, J. A., Graham, D. P., Hopko, D. R., Carter, R., Sharafkhaneh, A., Goepfert, E. J., Wray, N., & Stanley, M. A. (2008). COPD education and cognitive behavioral therapy for depression and anxiety in COPD patients: A randomized controlled trial. Psychological Medicine, 38, 385-396.

Wolf, N., & Hopko, D. R. (2008). Psychosocial and pharmacological interventions for depressed adults in primary care: A critical review. Clinical Psychology Review, 28, 131-161.

Wolf, N. J., & Hopko, D. R. (2008). Predicting the frequency, duration, and intensity of running behavior: The inhibitory effects of cardiac anxiety. Journal of Behavior Analysis in Sports, Health, Fitness, and Behavioral Medicine, 1, 45-53.

Tull, M. T., Bornovalova, M. A., Patterson, R., Hopko, D. R., & Lejuez, C. W. (2008). Analogue Research Methods. In D. McKay (Ed.), Handbook of Research Methods in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology (pp.61-78). Thousands Oaks, CA: Sage.

Armento, M. E. A., & Hopko, D. R. (2007). The Environmental Reward Observation Scale (EROS): Development, Validity, and Reliability. Behavior Therapy, 38, 107-119.

Ashcraft, M. H., Krause, J. A., & Hopko, D. R. (2007). Math Anxiety as a Mathematics Learning Disability. In D. B. Berch & M. M. M. Mazzocco (Eds.), Mathematical Learning Disabilities: Research, Theory, and Practice (pp. 329-348). New York: Plenum.

Hopko, D. R., Hopko, S. D., & Lejuez, C. W. (2007). Mood Disorders. In P. Sturmey (Ed.), The Handbook of Functional Analysis and Clinical Psychology (pp. 307-334). New York: Elsevier Press.

Hopko, D. R., & Lejuez, C. W. (2007). A Cancer Patient's Guide to Overcoming Depression and Anxiety: Getting Through Treatment and Getting Back to Your Life. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications Inc.

Hopko, D. R., Robertson, S. M. C., Widman, L., & Lejuez, C. W. (2007). Specific phobias. In M. Hersen and J. Rosqvist (Eds.), The Handbook of Assessment, Conceptualization, and Treatment (HACT) (pp. 139-170) New York: John Wiley.

Ruggiero, K. J., Morris, T. L., Hopko, D. R., & Lejuez, C. W. (2007). Application of behavioral activation treatment for depression to an adolescent with a history of child maltreatment. Clinical Case Studies, 6, 64-78.

Tull, M. T., Bornovalova, M. A., Patterson, R., Hopko, D. R., & Lejuez, C. W. (2007). Analogue Research Methods. In D. McKay (Ed.), Handbook of Research Methods in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology. Thousands Oaks, CA: Sage.

Crittendon, J., & Hopko, D. R. (2006). Assessing worry in older and younger adults: Psychometric properties of an Abbreviated Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ-A). Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 20, 1036-1054.

Hopko, D. R., Hopko, S. D., & Lejuez, C. W. (2006). Behavioral assessment of work-related issues. In M. Hersen (Ed.), Clinical handbook of behavioral assessment, Vol. 1. (pp. 567- 599). New York: Academic Press.

Hopko, D. R., Lejuez, C. W., Osborne, A., Daughters, S. B., Aklin, W. M., & Strong, D. R. (2006). Construct Validity of the Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART): Relationship with MDMA use by Inner-City Drug Users in Residential Treatment. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 28, 95-101.

Hopko, D. R., Robertson, S., & Lejuez, C. W. (2006). Behavioral Activation for Anxiety Disorders. The Behavior Analyst Today, 7, 212-232.

Hopko, D. R., Hunt, M. K., & Armento, M. E. A. (2005). Attentional task aptitude and performance anxiety. International Journal of Stress Management, 12, 389-408.

Hopko, D. R., Bell, J. L., Armento, M. E. A., Hunt, M. K., & Lejuez, C. W. (2005). Behavior therapy for depressed cancer patients in primary care. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 42, 236-243.

Hopko, D. R., Stowell, J., Jones, W. H., Armento, M. E. A., & Cheek, J. M. (2005). Psychometric properties of the Revised Cheek and Buss Shyness Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 84, 186-193.

Hopko, D. R., Hopko, S. D., & Lejuez, C. W. (2005). Behavior Activation. In M. Hersen & J. Rosqvist (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Behavior Modification and Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Volume I (pp.46-51). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Hopko, D. R., Hopko, S. D., & Lejuez, C. W. (2005). Behavioral assessment of work-related issues. In M. Hersen (Ed.), Clinical handbook of behavioral assessment, Vol. 1. (pp. 567- 599). New York: Academic Press.

Hopko, D. R., & Hughes, F. (2005). Stress Inoculation Training. In M. Hersen & J. Rosqvist (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Behavior Modification and Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Volume I (pp.569-573). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Hopko, D. R., Crittendon, J., Grant, E., & Wilson, S. L. (2005). The Impact of Anxiety on Performance IQ. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping: An International Journal, 18, 17-35.

Hunt, M. K., Hopko, D. R., Bare, R., Lejuez, C. W., & Robinson, E. V. (2005). Construct Validity of the Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART): Associations with Psychopathy and Impulsivity. Assessment, 12, 1-13.

Lejuez, C. W., Hopko, D. R., & Daughters, S. B. (2005). A Mental Health Counselor’s Guide to the Brief Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression (BATD). In New Directions in Mental Health Counseling (pp.81-90). Long Island City, NY: The Hatherleigh Company.

Stanley, M. A., Veazey, C., Hopko, D. R., Diefenbach, G., & Kunik, M. (2005). Anxiety and depression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A new intervention and case report. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 12, 424-436.

Wetherell, J. L., Hopko, D. R., Diefenbach, G. J., Averill, P. M., Beck, J. G., Craske, M. G., Gatz, M., Novy, D. M., & Stanley, M. A. (2005). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for late-life generalized anxiety disorder: Who gets better? Behavior Therapy, 36, 147-156.

Lejuez, C. W., Hopko, D. R., Levine, S., Gholkar, R., & Collins, L. M. (2005). Therapeutic Alliance in Behavior Therapy. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 42,456-468.

Bare, R. L., & Hopko, D. R., & Armento, M. E. A. (2004). The Relation of psychopathic characteristics and anxiety among non-criminals: Physiological and cognitive responses to guided imagery. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 26, 225-232.

Hopko, D. R., Lejuez, C. W., Armento, M. E. A., & Bare, R. L. (2004). Depressive disorders. In M. Hersen (Ed.), Psychological assessment in clinical practice: A pragmatic guide (pp. 85-116). New York: Taylor & Francis.

Hopko, D. R., Lejuez, C. W., & Hopko, S. D. (2004). Behavioral activation as an intervention for co-existent depressive and anxiety symptoms. Clinical Case Studies, 3, 37-48.

Stanley, M. A., Diefenbach, G., & Hopko, D. R. (2004). Cognitive-behavioral treatment for older adults with generalized anxiety disorder: A therapist manual for primary care settings. Behavior Modification, 28, 73-117.

Diefenbach, G., Hopko, D.R., Feigon, S., Novy, D.M., Stanley, M.A., Beck, J.G., Averill, P.A. (2003). “Minor GAD”: Characteristics of subsyndromal GAD in older adults. Behaviour Research and Therapy 41, 481-487.

Hopko, D.R. (2003). Confirmatory factor analysis of the Math Anxiety Rating Scale - Revised. Educational and Psychological Measurement 63, 336-351.

Hopko, D.R., Armento, M., Chambers, L., Cantu, M., Lejuez, C.W. (2003). The use of daily diaries to assess the relations among mood state, overt behavior, and reward value of activities. Behaviour Research and Therapy 41, 1137-1148.

Hopko, D.R., Hopko, S.D. (2003). Employee assistance programs: Opportunities for behavior therapists. The Behavior Therapist 26, 301-304.

Hopko, D.R., Lejuez, C.W., LePage, J.P., Hopko, S.D., McNeil, D.W. (2003). A brief behavioral activation treatment for depression: A randomized trial within an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Behavior Modification 27, 458-469.

Hopko, D.R., Lejuez, C.W., Ruggiero, K.J., Eifert, G.H. (2003). Contemporary behavioral activation treatments for depression: Procedures, principles and progress. Clinical Psychology Review 23, 699-717.

Hopko, D.R., McNeil, D.W., Gleason, P.G., Rabalais, A.E. (2002). The emotional Stroop paradigm: Performance as a function of stimulus properties and self-reported mathematics anxiety. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 26, 157-166.

Hopko, D.R., McNeil, D.W., Zvolensky, M.J., Eifert, G.H. (2001). The relation between anxiety and skill in performance-based anxiety disorders: A behavioral formulation of social phobia. Behavior Therapy 32, 185-207.

Lejuez, C.W., Hopko, D.R., Hopko, S.D. (2001). A brief behavioral activation treatment for depression: Treatment manual. Behavior Modification 25: 255-286.

Lejuez, C. W. Hopko, D. R., & Hopko, S. D. (2002). The brief behavioral activation treatment for depression (BATD): A comprehensive patient guide. Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing.

LeJuez, C.W., Hopko, D.R., LePage, J., Hopko, S.D., McNeil, D.W. (2001). A brief behavioral activation treatment for depression. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice 8: 164-175.

Stanley, M. A., Beck, J. G., Novy, D. M., Averill, P. M., Swann, A. C., Diefenbach, G., & Hopko, D. R. (in press). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of late-life generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

Derek Hopko

Derek Hopko

Associate Professor
Ph.D., West Virginia University (2000)

Email: dhopko@utk.edu
Web site: http://web.utk.edu/~dhopko
Phone: (865) 974-3368

Key words: Depression, treatment outcome, health psychology, anxiety, skill deficits, performance-based anxiety, attentional processes, cognitive-behavioral therapy.