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Dr Donna L Schuman

Assistant Professor, Social Work
Last Updated: April 14, 2021
about me

Research Interests

Research Interests
Military social work; psychosocial and psychophysiological effects of war and disaster trauma; digital health interventions; heart rate variability biofeedback; social work education; systematic review methodology

Research Keywords

Research Keywords
Military, Veterans, posttraumatic stress, applied psychophysiology and biofeedback

Teaching Interests

Teaching Interests
Brain and Behavior (Graduate); Social Theory (doctoral; graduate); Social Work Ethics (graduate and undergraduate); Social Work Research Methods (graduate and undergraduate)

Biography

Biography

Dr. Schuman joins UTA from the University of Kentucky in the College of Social Work, where she was an assistant professor for three years. She previously worked as a social worker for the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Army and has almost two decades of clinical behavioral health experience. Her research is focused on studying the biopsychosocial sequelae of trauma. She is dedicated to improving trauma treatment outcomes for military and first responder populations through psychophysiological interventions using biobehavioral, mobile health, and virtual technologies. Dr. Schuman holds licensure in clinical social work and professional counseling, and is certified as a Master Addiction Counselor. She also holds national certifications in biofeedback and neurofeedback.

Licensure and Certifications

Licensure and Certifications

    • 2004 Master Addiction Counselor, National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
    • 1999 National Certified Counselor, National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
    • 2011 Board Certified Biofeedback (BCB), Associate Fellow, Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA)
    • 2012 Board Certified Neurofeedback (BCN), Associate Fellow, Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA)
    • In Progress Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners
    • 1999 Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors

Appointments

Appointments

    • Sept 2020 to Present Assistant Professor
      School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Arlington (Arlington, TX)
      Position as tenure-track assistant professor at R-1 University.
    • July 2017 to July 2020 Assistant Professor
      College of Social Work, University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY)
      Position as tenure-track assistant professor at R-1 University.
    • Jan 2010 to June 2013 Behavioral Health Clinician; Social Worker
      Lyster Army Health Clinic, Department of Behavioral Health, Department of Defense, U.S. Army (Ft Rucker, AL)
      Conducted individual and couples assessment and counseling. Provided biofeedback and neurofeedback interventions for Army aviators.
    • July 2008 to June 2009 Social Worker
      Social Work, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (Temple, TX)
      Worked as Homemaker/Home Health Aid social worker and Gerontological social worker.
    • June 2001 to June 2004 Counseling Psychologist
      Army Substance Abuse Program, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Department of Defense, U.S. Army (Landstuhl, Germany)
      Performed assessment, individual/couples/group therapy, and taught psychoeducational classes in inpatient/partial hospitalization (Addiction Treatment Facility) and outpatient (Landstuhl ASAP) environments for military personnel and their family members.

Memberships

    • 2014 to 2020 Council on Social Work Education
      National association of social work education programs and individuals that advance the quality of social work education and promotes individual, family, and community well-being, and social and economic justice.
    • 2014 to 2020 Society for Social Work and Research
      Social work research society.
    • 2013 to 2019 National Association of Social Workers

Awards and Honors

    •  2019 Gill Heart Institute Travel Award sponsored by University of Kentucky College of Nursing
    •  2019 Wethington Award sponsored by University of Kentucky
    •  2018 Wethington Award sponsored by University of Kentucky
    •  2017 Dissertation Research Enhancement Award sponsored by University of Texas at Arlington, Office of Graduate Studies
    •  2017 Professional Development Award sponsored by Pat Tillman Foundation/Got Your Six
    •  2017 Tillman (Military) Scholarship sponsored by Tillman Foundation
    •  2016 Research Award sponsored by Tillman Foundation
    •  2016 Research Scholarship sponsored by Foundation for Education and Research in Biofeedback (FERB)

News Articles

News Articles

    • Jan 2021 Twitter
      Tweet by Dr. Amy Johnson, Lecturer in Journalism and Public Relations at Central Queensland University, Australia: "Here it is in print. It's official when you can hold it. Talking #netnography for research on military & military communities with @donnalschuman in 'Netnography Unlimited', edited by @Kozinets & Rossella Gambetti"
    • July 2020 CATalyst - Summer 2020
      University of Kentucky College of Public Health (2020, July 14)."COVID-19 and Suicide: A Perfect Storm?" CATalyst, Summer 2020, pp 6-7.

Publications

Presentations

    • November  2020
      , , , , Schuman, DonnaL (Author), "Psychosocial determinants of health predict symptoms and anxiety in rural caregivers ", American Heart Association, Virtual. (November 13, 2020).
    • November  2020
      Schuman, DonnaL (Author & Presenter), , "Scoping review: Ethical decision-making in netnographic research with military populations.", CSWE, Virtual. (November 12, 2020).
    • January  2020
      Parekh, RupalM. , Schuman, DonnaL, Crawford, M., Hall-Faul, M. , "Exploring the predictors of well-being and advance directives among elder orphans: A mixed methods study". (January , 2020).
    • May  2019
      Schuman, DonnaL, Casto, A., Lawrence, K.A., Brown, A., Ginsberg, J.P., Boggero, I., Moser, D.K., "Pilot study: Effectiveness of a heart rate variability biofeedback intervention on cardiac autonomic functioning in U.S. Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder ", Lexington VAHCS, Lexington, KY. (May 20, 2019).
    • January  2019
      Giger, J., Barnhart, Schuman, DonnaL, Feltner, F., "Collective efficacy relationships with adolescent mental health outcomes among single-mother families". (January , 2019).
    • January  2019
      Parekh, R., Schuman, DonnaL, Fields, NoelleLeCrone, "Veterans and nonveterans' risk and protective factors for becoming elder orphans: An exploratory study.", San Francisco, CA. (January , 2019).
    • November  2018
      Barnhart, S., Jack, K. M. , Schuman, DonnaL, "Relationships between individual and neighborhood social capital and single mothers’ parenting stress ". (November , 2018).
    • June  2018
      Schuman, DonnaL, Moser, DebraK. , Stein, PhyllisK. , Killian, Michael, "Exploration of heart rate variability response to a brief pain stressor in adults with heart failure". (June , 2018).
    • January  2018
      Schuman, DonnaL, "Dead inside: A systematic review of the psychosocial effects of combat-related emotional numbing.". (January , 2018).
    •  2017
      Schuman, DonnaL, "Heart rate variability biofeedback in the treatment of combat-related posttraumatic stress.". ( , 2017).
    • October  2017
      Schuman, DonnaL, Lawrence, K.A., "Iraq and Afghanistan veterans’ PTSD milvlogs on YouTube: A phenomenological inquiry". (October , 2017).
    • April  2017
      Schuman, DonnaL, Killian, M.O., Butler, B., Elliott, K.M., "Pilot study: Effects of a single session heart rate variability biofeedback intervention on posttraumatic stress symptoms in veterans.". (April , 2017).
    • January  2017
      Killian, M., Schuman, DonnaL, "Psychosocial predictors of medication adherence in pediatric organ transplantation: A systematic review. (Poster Presentation). ". (January , 2017).
    • October  2016
      Killian, M, Schuman, DonnaL, Thompson, H., Randolph, K. , "Showcasing software to make systematic reviews more systematic.". (October , 2016).
    • January  2016
      Schuman, DonnaL, Praetorius, R., "Content analysis of military and civilian suicide coverage by AP wire service. ". (January , 2016).
    • January  2016
      Killian, M., Schuman, DonnaL, Randolph, K., "Showcasing software to make systematic reviews more systematic.". (January , 2016).
    • January  2016
      Parekh, R., Schuman, DonnaL, Verbova, O., Sainato, S., "The influence of women's autonomy: Mothers from scheduled castes/tribes and backward populations. (Poster Presentation). ". (January , 2016).
    • January  2015
      Schuman, DonnaL, Schuman, Donald, "A value‐critical analysis of a policy to prevent military‐related suicide. ". (January , 2015).
    • January  2015
      Fields, NoelleLeCrone, Richardson, V., Schuman, DonnaL, "Dementia in assisted living: Important differences, important challenges. ". (January , 2015).
    • January  2015
      Schuman, DonnaL, "Veterans’ experiences with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): A qualitative interpretive meta‐synthesis (QIMS).". (January , 2015).
    •  2014
      Watson, L., Hoefer, Richard, Schuman, DonnaL, "Board oversight of nonprofit websites. A missing piece of the accountability puzzle?". ( , 2014).
    •  2014
      Evans, R., Schuman, DonnaL, Bryant, D., Fox, P., "Bridging the gap: The use of explicit theory in Research on Social Work Practice". ( , 2014).
    • October  2014
      Watson, L., Hoefer, Richard, Schuman, DonnaL, "A study of nonprofit boards of directors and their oversight of agency websites. ". (October , 2014).
    • October  2014
      Schuman, DonnaL, Fields, NoelleLeCrone, "Suicide in the Army: Applying and expanding the bioecological perspective.". (October , 2014).

Students Supervised

    • Present
      Dissertation Committee Co-Chair
      Steven Moore, (Social Work)
    • Present
      Dissertation Committee Member
      Christine Highfill, (Social Work)
    • Present
      Dissertation Committee Member
      Zainab Almogheer, Outside committee member for doctoral dissertation (Nursing)
    • Dec 2019
      Doctoral Comprehensive Exam Committee Member
      Theresia Pachner, (Social Work)
      Risk and Protective Factors of Dementia Among Adults with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review
    • Aug 2019
      Directed Individual/Independent Study
      Steven Buchanan, Supervised independent study at University of Kentucky College of Social Work (Social Work)
      An Interpersonal Theory Perspective on the Role of Hazing and Bullying in the Suicide of Private Second Class (PV2) Danny Chen

Courses

      • SOCW 5315-002 BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
        (Course Id: 111785 | Mav Course: No)
        Spring - Regular Academic Session - 2021 Download Syllabus
      • SOCW 6390-016 TUTORIAL
        (Course Id: 109098)
        Spring - Regular Academic Session - 2021
      • SOCW 5315-003 BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
        (Course Id: 111785 | Mav Course: No | Mav Desc: N/A | Servlearn Desc: N/A)
        Fall - Regular Academic Session - 2020 Download Syllabus
      • SOCW 3305-008 SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH
        (Course Id: 108926)
        Spring - Regular Academic Session - 2017
      • SOCW 3305-003 SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH
        (Course Id: 108926)
        Fall - Regular Academic Session - 2016
      • SOCW 3305-002 SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH
        (Course Id: 108926)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2016
      • SOCW 6389-002 Brain and Behavior
        (Course Id: 111785)
        Spring - Regular Academic Session - 2016
      • SOCW 5322-002 RESEARCH AND EVALUATION I
        (Course Id: 108980)
        Spring - Regular Academic Session - 2016
      • SOCW 6389-001 Brain and Behavior
        (Course Id: 111785)
        Fall - Regular Academic Session - 2015
      • SOCW 6389-003 Brain and Behavior
        (Course Id: 111785)
        Fall - Regular Academic Session - 2015
      • SOCW 6389-004 Brain and Behavior
        (Course Id: 111785)
        Fall - Regular Academic Session - 2015
      • SOCW 6389-010 Brain and Behavior
        (Course Id: 111785)
        Spring - Regular Academic Session - 2015
      • SOCW 6451-020 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT II
        (Course Id: 109107)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6451-028 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT II
        (Course Id: 109107)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6451-032 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT II
        (Course Id: 109107)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6451-042 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT II
        (Course Id: 109107)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6451-045 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT II
        (Course Id: 109107)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6451-051 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT II
        (Course Id: 109107)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6851-009 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT II
        (Course Id: 109128)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6851-013 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT II
        (Course Id: 109128)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6452-011 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT III
        (Course Id: 109108)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6452-023 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT III
        (Course Id: 109108)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6452-027 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT III
        (Course Id: 109108)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6452-029 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT III
        (Course Id: 109108)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6452-040 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT III
        (Course Id: 109108)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6452-049 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT III
        (Course Id: 109108)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6452-053 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT III
        (Course Id: 109108)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6452-058 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT III
        (Course Id: 109108)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6452-063 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT III
        (Course Id: 109108)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6452-073 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT III
        (Course Id: 109108)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6452-074 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT III
        (Course Id: 109108)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6452-083 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT III
        (Course Id: 109108)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6452-089 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT III
        (Course Id: 109108)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6452-090 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT III
        (Course Id: 109108)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014
      • SOCW 6452-092 APPLIED SOCIAL WORK PRACT III
        (Course Id: 109108)
        Summer - Eleven Week - 2014

Service to the University

    • Dec 2020 to  Present Committee Member
      Subcommittee for Military Certificate Program
      I am serving as a member of a subcommittee that is working on the feasibility of offering a Military Certificate to graduate students across departments at the University of Texas at Arlington. The subcommittee formed and first met in December 2020 and will convene again in late January or early February. As part of my responsibilities for the new subcommittee, I conducted research on requirements for mental/behavioral health-focused Military Certificate programs offered by other universities and presented this research with the team. I also posted an Excel spreadsheet to our Teams folder.
    • 2018 to  2020 Committee Member
      Research, Service, and Development Committee
      I served as a member on the Research Committee at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work.
    • 2017 to  2020 Committee Member
      PhD Committee
      I served as a PhD committee member at the University of Kentucky in the College of Social Work.

Service to the Profession

    • Past to  2020
      Reviewer, Ad Hoc Reviewer
      Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
      Served as journal reviewer.
    • 2019 to  2020
      Reviewer, Ad Hoc ReviewerUSA)
      Journal of Interpersonal Violence
      Served as ad hoc journal reviewer on two occasions.
    • Past to  Aug 2020
      Reviewer, Ad Hoc ReviewerUSA)
      Death Studies
      I served as an Ad Hoc reviewer.
    • Past to  2019
      Conference-Related
      Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback 2019 Annual Conference
      I served as an abstract and poster reviewer.
    • 2018 to  2019
      Reviewer, Ad Hoc ReviewerUSA)
      Qualitative Health Research
      I served as an Ad Hoc reviewer on three occasions.
    • Past to  2018
      Reviewer, Conference Paper
      Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback 2018 Annual Conference
      I served as an abstract and poster reviewer.
    • Past to  2018
      Reviewer, Ad Hoc ReviewerUSA)
      BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
      I served as an ad hoc reviewer.
    • 2016 to  2017
      Reviewer, Ad Hoc ReviewerUSA)
      Perspectives on Social Work
      I served as an ad hoc reviewer.

Service to the Community

Service to the Community

    • Oct 2020 to  Oct 2020
      Discussant (Virtual (Austin), TX, USA)
      “All Hands on Deck: Community Convening to Improve Research on Veteran Suicide Prevention
      Participated in statewide discussion with 200 stakeholders on involving concerned significant others of veterans in the development of new engagement strategies in veteran suicide prevention research. Included perspectives of all stakeholders (including researchers and healthcare providers) on ways to design new engagement strategies for research in veteran suicide prevention.
    • Past to  Oct 2020
      Attendee, Meeting (Ft Worth, TX, USA)
      3rd Annual VETCO Conference, Veteran Suicide: A Conversation
      Participated in community discussion about suicide prevention for veterans.
    • July 2019 to  May 2020
      Committee Member (Lexington, KY, United States)
      Lexington VAHCS Eliminating Suicide in Veterans Working Group
      Served as UK representative on VA committee aimed at preventing suicide in veterans in KY.
    • June 2019 to  May 2020
      Committee Member (Lexington, KY, United States)
      Lexington Veterans Mental Health Council
      Served as member on local veterans mental health committee working toward improving access to mental health services for veterans.