Research interests
Over the past three years, the T32 Primary Care Research Fellowship provided the interdisciplinary training needed to transition from clinical practice to independent research. I entered with a background in evidence-based assessment and intervention and an interest in maternal mental health, seeking to develop the methodological skills and collaborative experience required to design sustainable improvements in accessing behavioral health care.
During the fellowship I designed and led research on behavioral health integration in obstetric care, developed and piloted a technologyenhanced postpartum mental health screening and care coordination intervention, and collaborated with national leaders in maternal mental health and primary care research. This work built my skills in study design, qualitative interviewing, electronic health record data collection and implementation science. I also became a licensed clinical psychologist.
Two outcomes are central to my next career stage. I received an NIH Loan Repayment Program award, which reduced the financial barriers to a research career and supports my focus on health disparities. I also accepted a tenure-track Assistant Professor position with 50% protected research time to build an independent research portfolio on maternal behavioral health care within integrated primary care models at Western Carolina University.
Publications
- Najm, J., Sheikh, S., Butcher, R., Bausha, C., & Barrnett, E., (accepted). A Wraparound Intervention for Families Affected by Parental Substance Use Disorder: Multiple Perspectives on Engagement. Journal of Child and Family Studies.
- Najm, J., & Morelen., M (2025). The Validation of the Self-Care Belief and Behavior Questionnaire in the Infant and Early Child Mental Health Workforce. Infant Mental Health Journal.
- Najm, J., Bausha, C., Frew, J., & Barrnett, E., (2024). Family-Centered Care and Collaboration: A Scoping Review of Medical Guidance for Parental Substance Use. Academic Pediatrics Journal.
- Najm, J., & Morelen., M (2024). The development and initial validation of the Self-care belief and behavior questionnaire. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment. DOI:10.1080/10911359.2024.2362175