College of Arts & Sciences Clinical Psychology

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Gemma Skillman

Gemma Skillman
Associate Professor
Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences
USD South Dakota Union 106
Phone: 605-677-5179
Bio:
My interests can be best described as integrative and developmental-contextual 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.
Teaching Interests:
My teaching interests include the following: Undergraduate: Psyc 258 Children & Trauma Psyc 321 Human Development: Lifesspan Psyc 492/592 Special Topics: Infant, Childhood, & Adolescent Mental Health Graduate: Psyc 751 Psychological Assessment I Psyc 752 Psychological Assessment II Psyc 722 Developmental Seminar Psyc 779 Child Psychopathology
Research Interests:
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.
Education:
  • Ph D, Clinical Psychology, Syracuse University, 1999
  • Pre-Doctoral Fellow II in Clinical Psychology, Research: STD/HIV Risk, SPMI, Trauma, & Rural Settings, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, 1998
  • Pre-Doctoral Fellow I - APA Clinical Psychology Internship, Child-Family & Rural Community Emphasis, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, 1997
  • MS, Psychology, Syracuse University, 1994
  • BA, Psychology, University of Alaska, 1991
Research:
  • Traumatic Stress: Neurophysiology, Genomics, and Culture, Division of Services and Intervention Research National Institute of Mental Health
Publications:
  • Garcia, D., Skillman, G., Dvorak, R. D., A comparison of spirituality, healthy lifestyle, and environmental consciousness based on the use of complementary and alternative medicine, Advances in Mind-Body Medicine.
  • Caraway, J., Reynolds, W., Quevillon, R., Mackey, D., Skillman, G., (2008), Scale development of a culture values and beliefs scale among Dakota/Nakota/Lakota People: Psychometric properties and an initial validation, American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research: The Journal of the National Center.
Awards and Honors:
  • USD Chapter of Psi Chi's Outstanding Psychology, The University of South Dakota - Psi Chi/Psychology Club, 2009
  • Licensed Psychologist #421, State of South Dakota, 2001
Presentations:
  • Bunner, L. M., Skillman, G., Coombs, T. E. (2011, May). The Process of Help-Seeking in Mothers of Children with Developmental Disabilities. Presented at the 2011 Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention, Washington, DC.
  • Holzer, E., Stephens, D., Adamczyk, M., Barron, S., Gaster, S., Skillman, G. (2011, May). Difference in gender, course load, extracurricular involvement, and living environment. Presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association/Psi Chi Conference, Chicago.
  • Bruggeman, K. R., Werkmeister, S., Fett, D., Mauer, J. M., Skillman, G. (2010). Differences in Gender and Academic Performance. Presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago.
  • Garcia, D., Skillman, G., Dvorak, R. D. (2010, May). Associations with Spirituality, Healthy Lifestyle, and Environmental Consciousness. Presented at the Association for Psychological Sciences.
  • Davis, L. A., Skillman, G., Miller, T. T. (2009, August). The Role of Parent-Teacher Collaboration in Mother’s Responding to School Bullying. Presented at the American Psychological Association, Toronto.
  • Jilek, D., Thelen, K., Gillis, K., Zeal, K., Seefeldt, D., Messler, E., Fett, D., Skillman, G. (2009, April). Staying connected and avoidance in technology mediated social interaction. Presented at the Annual meeting and Psi Chi Poster Presentation, Chicago.
  • Roy, M. N., Skillman, G., Miller, T. T. (2008). 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.
  • Davis, L. A., Skillman, G., Miller, T. T. (2008). Parent-teacher collaboration as a predictor of mothers intervention in bullying situations. Presented at the South Dakota Psychological Association, Chamberlain, SD.
  • Skillman, G., Roy, M. N., Miller, T. T. (2008). The Process of Coping in Parents of Children Diagnosed with Cancer. Presented at the South Dakota Psychological Association, Chamberlain, SD.
  • Jacobs, G. A., Quevillon, R., Boyd, B., Skillman, G. (2008, July). Incorporating the IASC Guidelines in Undergraduate and Graduate Education and Training. Presented at the International Congress on Psychology, Berlin, Germany.
  • Jacobs, G., Quevillon, R., Boyd, B., Skillman, G. (2008, July). Incorporating the IASC Guidelines in Undergraduate and Graduate Education and Training. Presented at the International Congresson Psychology , Berlin, Germany .
  • Miller, T. T., Skillman, G., Roy, M. N., Davis, L. A. (2007). An Examination of Factors That Influence Maternal Caregivers’ Decisions to Intervene in School Bullying Situations. Presented at the American Psychological Association, San Francisco.
  • Christopher, M., Skillman, G. (2007). Self-Construals and Distress among African American and Asian American College Students. Presented at the American Psychological Association, San Francisco.
  • Hornby, R., DeCora, M., Left Hand Bull, M., Skillman, G., Clifford, B., Plume, D. D., Reynolds, W. R. (2007). Sustaining Research Collaborations: NSPIRE and Meaningful Relationships in Lakota Communities. Presented at the American Psychological Association, San Francisco.
  • Christopher, M., Skillman, G. (2007). Various Help-Seeking Intentions and Coping Practices among Ethnically Diverse College Students. Presented at the National Multicultural Conference & Summit, Seattle.
  • Ehrlich, E. A., Skillman, G. (2006). Parental Stress & Help-Seeking for Children with Feeding Difficulties. Presented at the Graduate Research Forum , Vermillion, SD.
  • Klein, A. K., Wencl, R. E., Skillman, G. (2006). Can it serve as an etic measure of child behavior?. Presented at the USD IDEAFEST Conference, Vermillion.
  • Kutayli, A. M., Skillman, G., Vick, K., Hudson, J. (2005). Cultural competence and neuropsychological assessment. Presented at the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
  • Kutayli, A. M., Skillman, G. (2005). Variables predictive of cultural competence among practicing clinical neuropsychologists. Presented at the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
  • Iron Shell-Hill, P., Skillman, G. (2005). Seeking Lakota Elder wisdom on historical grief. Presented at the Annual Nebraska Symposium on Motivation: Motivational Aspects of Prejudice and Racism.
  • Miller, T. T., Skillman, G., Vick, K. E. (2005). A phenomenological study. Presented at the South Dakota Psychological Association Annual Convention.
  • Ehrlich, A. E., Skillman, G. (2005). Age and disability type in a rural locale. Presented at the South Dakota Psychological Association Annual Convention.
  • Caraway, J., Skillman, G. (1999, September). Cultural Identity in the Classroom. Presented at the 3rd Annual Building Bridges Conference, Vermillion, SD.