Abir Bekhet, Ph.D., RN, HSMI

Professor

Highest Degree and Institution

Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University

Courses Taught

HEAL 1025: Culture and Health (University Course)

NURS 2500:  Concepts and Interventions for the Promotion of Mental Health (new curriculum)

NURS 3500:  Mental Health Nursing Theory (Direct entry and undergraduate students)

NURS 5502:  Graduate Entry Students (GEM)-Mental Health Nursing

NURS 6005: Mental Health Theory

NURS 6995:  102 Independent Study in Nursing

NURS 8980 105:  Nursing Research Sem/Prac

NURS 8982:  101 Nursing Research/Practicum II

NURS 8999:  Doctoral dissertation

Research Interests

Dr. Bekhet's program of research focuses on  the effects of positive thinking, resilience, and resourcefulness in overcoming adversity across vulnerable populations that include, but are not limited to, older adults, family caregivers, and immigrants. The results of her research contribute to nursing knowledge development by providing a better understanding of the relationships among the major components of resilience theory: risk factors, protective factors, and indicators of resilience. In terms of the practical significance, the results of these studies provide direction for nurses to include strategies that strengthen positive thinking and resilience to promote the health and functioning of caregivers and other vulnerable populations.

Professional Affiliations

Sigma Theta Tau International

Midwest Nursing Research Society

International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses (ISPN)

Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS)

American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA)

The Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin                                        

American Nurses Association (ANA)

Specialization

Mental Health Nursing

Positive Psychological Concepts

Certifications

Holistic Stress Management Instructor (HSMI)

Publications

Link to Marquette University E-Publications - Bekhet 

Honors and Awards

2017 Waukesha Community Foundation Fund Award. “Pre-Death Grief, Resourcefulness, and Perceived stress among Caregivers of Partners with Young Onset Dementia. (Kobiske*& Bekhet).

2016 Delta Gamma At large Award for the project entitled “The Mediating Effects of Positive Cognitions on Dementia Caregivers' Burden and their Care Recipients Behavior Problems.” (Bekhet, PI)

2016 Strategic Innovation Fund Award for the project entitled: Escalation: Raising the college students’ awareness of warning signs of abusive relationships. (Bekhet, PI).

2016 Social innovation award winner for 2016 for the project entitled “The Mediating Effects of Perceived Social Support and Positive Thinking on the Relationship between Self-esteem and Resiliency among Undergraduate Students (Matel-Anderson* & Bekhet).

 

Funding

2019-2021: Co-I, (PI Van Hecke, A. & Jepsen, L.) “Presidents Challenge Next Step Clinic". Johnson Controls

2019-2020: Co-I, (PI Clayton-Jones, D., Co-I Haglund, K., Ong, & Jones). Community Engaged Research Partnership Development Grant “Measuring the Effectiveness of Family-Based Mental Health Services,” The Office of the Provost, and the Office of Community Engagement

2019: Co-PI, (PI Johnson, N., Ng, A., VanHecke, A.) Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Funding for the Development of an effective fitness intervention for caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Marquette University Athletic and Human Performance Research Center.

2018-2020: Co-I, (PI: Othman, E., Co-I Afinoguenova, Gibes, Baillargeon, & Omar). “Gendered Disabilities and Milwaukee Muslim Immigrants: Empowering Muslim Women, Health Providers, and Researchers to Understand Stigmatizing Effects of Disabilities and Promote Positive Change Marquette University 2017- 2018 Explorer Challenge.

2018-2019: Co -PI, (Co -PI Johnson, N.) "A Swimming Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Impact of Child Challenging Behaviors and Caregiver's Psychological Well-Being," Sponsored by Committee on Research Marquette University SFF/RRG.

2018-2019: Co -PI, (Co -PI: Johnson, N., Co -I: Ng, A., VanHecke, A.) "Development of an effective fitness intervention for caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder," Autism Society of South Eastern Wisconsin.

2018-2019: Co -PI, (Co -PI: Gergis, M.) “Effects of Positive Thinking and Resourcefulness on Perceived Stress Among Hospice & Palliative Care Nurses.” The 2018 Towson University FDRC Award.

2018: Co-I, (PI: Barnes, Co-I:Keller, Gretebeck, & Schroeder). “Examination of the feasibility of a peer-led Physical Activity for Life for Seniors (PALS) program at St. Camillus,” Office of the Provost, and the Office of Community Engagement.

2017: PI, (Co-I: Nakhla,V., Oudeh, R., Malik, N., Maximous, M., & Gohar, I.). “Psychometric Prosperities of the Arabic Version of the Positive Thinking Skills Scale (A-PTSS) among First Generation Middle Eastern Immigrants. Marquette International Research Award.

2017: Co-PI, (Co-PI: Kobiske, K.). “Pre-Death Grief, Resourcefulness, and Perceived stress among Caregivers of Partners with Young Onset Dementia. Waukesha Community Foundation Fund.

12/20/16-11/30/20: Regional Consultant, (Musil, PI).  GIFT:   Web Based Resourcefulness Training for Grandmother Caregivers 1R01NR015999-01A1 Role: Regional Consultant.

2016: Co-PI, (Co-PI: & Matel-Anderson). “The Mediating Effects of Perceived Social Support and Positive Thinking on the Relationship between self-esteem and suicide resiliency.” Social innovation award grant winner.

2016: PI, “The Mediating Effects of Positive Cognitions on Dementia Caregivers' Burden and their Care Recipients Behavior Problems.”  Delta Gamma at large.

2016: PI, “Escalation: Raising the college students’ awareness of warning signs of abusive relationships.” 2016 Strategic Innovation Fund Award.

2015: PI, “Online Positive Thinking Intervention in Caregivers of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders. 2015 Summer Faculty Fellowship (SFF) and a 2015 Regular Research Grant (RRG) Fund.

2014: Co-PI, (Co-PI: Matel-Anderson, D.). “Resilience in Adolescents Who Survived a Suicide Attempt from the Perspective of the Registered Nurse in a Psychiatric Facility". The 2014 Forward Thinking Poster Session/Colloquy Award grant from the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

2014: PI, “Risk & Resistance factors: Autism caregivers’ adaptation.” International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses.