Virgil Lee Gregory Jr.

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https://hdl.handle.net/1805/46622
Dr. Gregory is an associate professor at the IU School of Social Work. Dr. Gregory has clinical experience in using cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of persons with mood, anxiety, psychotic, and substance use disorders. His research evaluates cognitive-behavior therapy for substance use disorders, affective disorders, and Black Americans. Dr. Gregory's research has placed specific emphasis on the intersection of Black male mental health and social injustice. As a cognitive-behavioral therapist and researcher, Dr. Gregory's studies include scale development and psychometric evaluation of the aforementioned topic areas. A consistent theme is the translation of research into clinical practice. His research incorporates systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical trials.

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    A Critical Review of Theory in Social Work Journals: A Replication Study
    (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 2007) Gentle-Genitty, Caroline S.; Gregory, Jr., Virgil Lee; Pfahler, Corey; Thomas, Misty; Lewis, Lisa; Campbell, Kim; Ballard, Kathy; Compton, Kathy; Daley, James G.
    The purpose of this paper is multifold. Key aspects discussed include exploring the extent of theory discussion and progression in social work journals for the year2004; discussing the necessity of theory in social work research and practice; reviewing previous research literature regarding evaluation of theory discussion and progression; proposing criteria for defining theory in social work journals; and presenting findings from the current study concerning theory discussion and progression in social work journals. Results: Of the 1,168 articles reviewed from 37 journals, 71(approximately 6%) met the criteria for theory development with empirical base. Thus, a minimal number of articles (3 out of 71 or 4.2%) evaluated, based on the criteria in the theory quality scale (Table 1), received high quality ratings. Conclusion: Based on the results yielded by the analysis, we assert that social workers need to make a conscious effort to include theory in practice decisions.
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    Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Schizophrenia: Applications to Social Work Practice
    (Taylor & Francis, 2010) Gregory, Jr., Virgil Lee
    Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that has been considered to be the epitome of a severe mental illness. The negative psychosocial consequences of schizophrenia are well documented. Despite the advent of antipsychotic medication, residual symptoms persist for many persons diagnosed with schizophrenia. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has emerged as an adjunctive treatment to pharmacotherapy. Cognitive-behavioral theories of positive and negative symptoms are described, as are interventions. Meta-analyses have supported the use of CBT for schizophrenia. This article describes and synthesizes the literature to articulate precise applications to social work practice and the congruence between CBT for schizophrenia and the social work profession. Limitations of CBT are also discussed.
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    Cultural Trauma Scale (CuTs): Parsimonious Principal Component Analysis, Independent Black American Male Sample
    (Taylor & Francis, 2024) Gregory, Virgil L., Jr.; Tucker Edmonds, Joseph L.; School of Social Work
    Psychometric research is necessary to facilitate reliable and valid measurement of Black men’s perceptions of cultural trauma. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the factor structure and internal consistency of the Cultural Trauma Scale (CuTS), using a more parsimonious factor model. The study used a community-engaged framework and was approved by an Institutional Review Board for research with human participants. A principal component analysis with equamax rotation (N = 240) was conducted. The CuTS factors were replicated and measured constructs of Tripartite Police Fear (Cronbach’s alpha = .83), Beliefs about America and It’s Justice System (Cronbach’s alpha = .84), Black Injustice Emotions (Cronbach’s alpha = .74), Cognitive-Behavioral Coping (Cronbach’s alpha = .75), Willingness to Seek Cultural Trauma Treatment (Cronbach’s alpha = .74), and Resilience (Cronbach’s alpha = .64). The pattern/structure coefficients within these subscales ranged from .50 to .87. With a slight variation, the results of the present study replicated the initial CuTS factor structure using a more parsimonious measurement model. The factorial validity and internal consistency of the CuTS will advance the reliable and valid measure of Black-oriented constructs among Black men.
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    Cultural Trauma Scale (CuTS): Psychometric evaluation of Black men's beliefs, emotions, and coping
    (2023-11) Gregory Jr., Virgil Lee; Tucker Edmonds, Joseph
    Racism and gender-based prejudice produce a synergistic and toxic effect that necessitates analysis. There is a need to conduct more research with Black men as their experiences with race-based trauma may differ, given their concurrent disproportionate exposure to other forms of violence. Objective: The study’s purpose was to develop items for and evaluate the factor structure and internal consistency of the Cultural Trauma Scale (CuTS) in an exclusive sample of Black men. Method: Using the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation, Community Alliance for Research Engagement principles, the study was conducted in a context of community engaged research. Data were collected from individual interviews and focus groups, subject matter experts, and a sample of 150 adult Black men. Principal axis factoring (PAF) was used to determine the factor structure of the scale items. Results: Via PAF the final factor structure included five constructs addressing: American & Its Justice System: Cognitive- Emotional Responses (Cronbach’s Alpha = .88), Cognitive-Behavioral Coping (Cronbach’s Alpha = .77), Willingness to Seek Cultural Trauma Treatment (Cronbach’s Alpha = .88), Tripartite Police Fear (Cronbach’s Alpha = .81), and Resilience (Cronbach’s Alpha = .61). Conclusion: The CuTS represents psychometric advancement in the measurement of Black male social justice and healing from cultural trauma. Keywords: Cognitive-Behavioral, Cultural Trauma, Black, Men, Psychometric Clinical Impact Statement: The measurement properties of the Cultural Trauma Scale (CuTS) were examined in an exclusive adult Black male sample. The data suggest the CuTS measures trauma regarding Black structural, cognitive, emotional, familial, and professional health seeking concepts. This study provides a tool for measuring constructs within a Black male demographic that are frequently encountered in Black clinical research and practice.
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    Online psychoeducation with parent management training: Examining the contribution of peer support
    (Wiley, 2020) Wilkerson, David A.; Gregory Jr., Virgil L.; Kim, Hea-Won
    Psychoeducation is an empirically based intervention that is increasingly delivered online to individuals and groups. Low participation has been a problem for online designs that include peer support. New technology designs have been called for, and in response, we developed a model that synchronized the delivery of individual and group-based psychoeducational activities for parent management training. We used a problem-based learning strategy delivered to caregivers of youth demonstrating oppositional behaviours to encourage the development of helping processes and peer support. This mixed methods intervention study had high rates of participant retention and positive measurable changes for two of its three psychoeducational outcome measures. When we merged the study data, we observed that mutual aid—a frequently sought goal of group-based interventions—contributed to participant outcomes.
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    The Racial Pandemic Experienced by Black American Men: Cognitive–Behavioral and Structural Implications
    (APA, 2023) Gregory , Virgil L., Jr.; Tucker Edmonds, Joseph L.; School of Social Work
    Issues of systemic racism, mass incarceration, and cultural trauma (CT) are linked to emotional sequelae sufficient for treatment. However, attempts to explain the psychosocial reactions of Black American (BA) men to racial injustice and treat CT must be considered in the context of the current and past structural environments in which they live. The purpose of the present study was to obtain in-depth, thick description of two related factors: BA males’ perceptions of injustice during the racial pandemic and the consequent psychosocial implications for theory and treatment. An interview guide addressing racial injustice, CT, and coping was used to conduct individual and focus groups’ interviews with 20 BA men. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The qualitative analysis found five themes that collectively fulfilled the study’s aims: (1) A violation of the social contract for Black American men, (2) Black American male distrust for police, (3) tripartite Black American male, police fear and heterogeneous emotions, (4) spiritual, technological, appraisal, and relational Black American male coping for racial injustice, and (5) Black American male resilience despite permanence of the racial status quo. As it pertains to BA male racial injustice and the residual CT, the qualitative data suggested multidimensional interventions that are cognitive–behavioral and structural in nature may be worthy of further empirical investigation. From a CT intervention perspective, the five emerging themes can be directly translated into cognitive–behavioral principles regarding therapeutic rapport, cultural adaptation, emphasis on positivity, and collaborative empiricism when working with BA men.