Gemma Skillman

My interests can be best described as integrative and developmental-contextual-resiliency in emphasis. I am particularly intrigued by the ways in which development unfolds within the family and community contexts where transitions, risk, and resiliency can serve as catalysts for latter adjustments and/or maladjustments/psychopathology. A foundational aspect to these developmental processes rests upon a commitment to and an understanding of the expression of cultural variables and contributions to health and well-being from an indigenous-community and cross-cultural psychology perspective.

My teaching interests include the following:
Undergraduate:

Psyc 321 Human Development: Lifespan
Psyc 451 Psychology of Abnormal Behavior
Psyc 492/592 Special Topics: Infant, Childhood, & Adolescent Mental Health

Accordingly, the Skillman Research Team focuses upon topics such as: the pathways of help-seeking in families and young adults; exploring cultural protective factors in the adjustment and well-being of Native American/Alaskan Native community members; and the development and/or use of culturally appropriate assessment tools with diverse populations. The research team uses both quantitative and qualitative methodologies in addressing these areas of inquiry. While my primary research interests continue to be in the above areas, a central point of emphasis has shifted to wellness, resiliency, and an integrative view of health and mental health within a developmental-positive psychology framework. I am particularly fascinated by the socialization and contextualization of wellness of emerging adults.

Bunner, Laura M., Skillman, Gemma, and Coombs, Terrance E., The Process of Help-Seeking in Mothers of Children with Developmental Disabilities. Presented at the 2011 Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention, Washington, DC. (May 2011)
Holzer, E, Stephens, D, Adamczyk, M, Barron, S, Gaster, S, and Skillman, Gemma, Difference in gender, course load, extracurricular involvement, and living environment. Presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association/Psi Chi Conference, Chicago. (May 2011)
Garcia, D, Skillman, Gemma, and Dvorak, R D., Associations with Spirituality, Healthy Lifestyle, and Environmental Consciousness. Presented at the Association for Psychological Sciences (May 2010)
Bruggeman, K R., Werkmeister, S, Fett, D, Mauer, J M., and Skillman, Gemma, Differences in Gender and Academic Performance. Presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago. (January 2010)
Davis, L A., Skillman, Gemma, and Miller, T T., The Role of Parent-Teacher Collaboration in Mother’s Responding to School Bullying. Presented at the American Psychological Association, Toronto. (August 2009)
Jilek, D, Thelen, K, Gillis, K, Zeal, K, Seefeldt, D, Messler, E, Fett, D , and Skillman, Gemma, Staying connected and avoidance in technology mediated social interaction. Presented at the Annual meeting and Psi Chi Poster Presentation, Chicago. (April 2009)
Jacobs, G A., Quevillon, Randy, Boyd, B, and Skillman, Gemma, Incorporating the IASC Guidelines in Undergraduate and Graduate Education and Training. Presented at the International Congress on Psychology, Berlin, Germany. (July 2008)
Jacobs, Gerard, Quevillon, Randy, Boyd, Beth, and Skillman, Gemma, Incorporating the IASC Guidelines in Undergraduate and Graduate Education and Training. Presented at the International Congresson Psychology, Berlin, Germany. (July 2008)
Roy, M N., Skillman, Gemma, and Miller, T T., The Role of Child Gender in Maternal Caregivers’ Ratings of Distress of Cyberbullying Situations. Presented at the Kansas Conference in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Lawrence, KS. (January 2008)
Davis, L A., Skillman, Gemma, and Miller, T T., Parent-teacher collaboration as a predictor of mothers intervention in bullying situations. Presented at the South Dakota Psychological Association, Chamberlain, SD. (January 2008)
Skillman, Gemma, Roy, M N., and Miller, T T., The Process of Coping in Parents of Children Diagnosed with Cancer. Presented at the South Dakota Psychological Association, Chamberlain, SD. (January 2008)
Miller, T T., Skillman, Gemma, Roy, M N., and Davis, L A., An Examination of Factors That Influence Maternal Caregivers’ Decisions to Intervene in School Bullying Situations. Presented at the American Psychological Association, San Francisco. (January 2007)
Christopher, M, and Skillman, Gemma, Self-Construals and Distress among African American and Asian American College Students. Presented at the American Psychological Association, San Francisco. (January 2007)
Hornby, R, DeCora, M, Left Hand Bull, M, Skillman, Gemma, Clifford, B, Plume, D D., and Reynolds, W R., Sustaining Research Collaborations: NSPIRE and Meaningful Relationships in Lakota Communities. Presented at the American Psychological Association, San Francisco. (January 2007)
Christopher, M, and Skillman, Gemma, Various Help-Seeking Intentions and Coping Practices among Ethnically Diverse College Students. Presented at the National Multicultural Conference & Summit, Seattle. (January 2007)
Ehrlich, E A., and Skillman, Gemma, Parental Stress & Help-Seeking for Children with Feeding Difficulties. Presented at the Graduate Research Forum, Vermillion, SD. (January 2006)
Klein, A K., Wencl, R E., and Skillman, Gemma, Can it serve as an etic measure of child behavior?. Presented at the USD IDEAFEST Conference, Vermillion. (January 2006)
Kutayli, A M., Skillman, Gemma, Vick, K, and Hudson, J, Cultural competence and neuropsychological assessment. Presented at the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC. (January 2005)
Kutayli, A M., and Skillman, Gemma, Variables predictive of cultural competence among practicing clinical neuropsychologists. Presented at the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC. (January 2005)
Iron Shell-Hill, P, and Skillman, Gemma, Seeking Lakota Elder wisdom on historical grief. Presented at the Annual Nebraska Symposium on Motivation: Motivational Aspects of Prejudice and Racism (January 2005)
Miller, T T., Skillman, Gemma, and Vick, K E., A phenomenological study. Presented at the South Dakota Psychological Association Annual Convention (January 2005)
Ehrlich, A E., and Skillman, Gemma, Age and disability type in a rural locale. Presented at the South Dakota Psychological Association Annual Convention (January 2005)
Caraway, Jean, and Skillman, Gemma, Cultural Identity in the Classroom. Presented at the 3rd Annual Building Bridges Conference, Vermillion, SD. (September 1999)

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