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Kathleen Brewer-Smyth

SCHOOL OF NURSING

Publications

KATHLEEN BREWER-SMYTH, PHD, RN, MSN, CRRN, FAAN


Professor
kbsmyth@udel.edu
 302-831-8382

Office Location:
McDowell Hall

Dr. Brewer-Smyth’s program of research focuses on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), abuse throughout the lifespan, epigenetic (DNA methylation) aging acceleration, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis salivary cortisol regulation, and neurological dysfunction, especially traumatic brain injury (TBI) and associated high risk behaviors and health outcomes later in life. She and her collaborators have published on how these variables are associated with mental and general health, adult obesity, sleep, HIV risk behaviors, alcohol misuse, suicide attempts, homicide, and other violent behaviors in populations at risk, including female prison inmates and homeless women. Her team has shown that supportive faith-based environments and higher forgiveness scores are associated with healthier bio-behavioral outcomes for female survivors after abuse and other trauma. Her work has been supported by funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Foundations including the University of Delaware Research Foundation (UDRF).

She is the author of Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Life Course, published by Springer Nature that won four American Journal of Nursing (AJN) Book of the Year Awards. (1st place in Community/ Home Health, Creative Works, and Psych/ Mental Health and 3rd place in Consumer Health). No other book has ever won this many AJN awards since AJN began rating healthcare books in 1969.

Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship University of Pennsylvania
  • Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania
  • MSN University of Pennsylvania, Adult Health and Illness, Neurology and Neurosurgery

Courses

Undergraduate

  • NURS 411 Current Issues in Neuroscience 
  • NURS 443 Clinical Practicum
  • NURS 312 Pathophysiology
  • NURS 362 Research
  • NURS 460 Clinical Integration Seminar
  • NURS 241 Scientific Basis of Nursing

Graduate

  • NURS 668 Advanced Clinical Neuroscience 
  • NURS 609 Theory/Research
  • NURS 833 NURS SCI Special Topics

Scholarship

  • Brewer-Smyth, K. (2022) Invited Book: Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Lifespan. ISBN 978-3-031-08800-1 ISBN-13: ‎978-3031088001 ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 303108800X Springer Nature. 20% off with this code Y13xzwSS4MXM2F on https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8 
  • Brewer-Smyth, K (2022) Chapter 2. Adverse Childhood Experiences and Neurodevelopment. In K. Brewer-Smyth (Ed.), Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Lifespan DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_2 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_2
  • Brewer-Smyth, K (2022) Chapter 3. Potential Life-long Neurobiological, Bio-Behavioral and other Outcomes of Trauma. In K. Brewer-Smyth (Ed.), Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Lifespan DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_3 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_3
  • Brewer-Smyth, K (2022) Chapter 4. Childhood Physical Abuse, (CPA) Childhood Sexual Abuse, (CSA) Childhood Emotional Abuse (CEA), Neglect and Other Trauma. In K. Brewer-Smyth (Ed.), Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Lifespan DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_4 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_4
  • Brewer-Smyth, K (2022) Chapter 5. Absence of a Healthy Parent: Mental and Physical Illness, Substance Misuse and Trauma in the life of Parents, Caregivers, and Significant Others. In K. Brewer-Smyth (Ed.), Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Lifespan. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_5 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_5
  • Brewer-Smyth, K (2022) Chapter 7. COVID-19 Trauma: the New Complex Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE). In K. Brewer-Smyth (Ed.), Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Lifespan DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_7 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_7
  • Brewer-Smyth, K (2022) Chapter 8. Protective, Compensatory and Benevolent Experiences. In K. Brewer-Smyth (Ed.), Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Lifespan DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_8 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_8
  • Brewer-Smyth, K (2022) Chapter 9. Understanding and Responding to Survivors of Trauma: Emotional Intelligence to Build Healthy Relationships. In K. Brewer-Smyth (Ed.), Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Lifespan  DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_9 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_9
  • Brewer-Smyth, K (2022) Chapter 10. Trauma Informed Self-Care: Emotional & Spiritual Resilience and Healing. In K. Brewer-Smyth (Ed.), Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Lifespan DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_10 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_10
  • Brewer-Smyth, K (2022) Chapter 12. Brain Food: The Impact of Diet, Nutrition and Nutraceuticals on the Brain and the  Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis. In K. Brewer-Smyth (Ed.), Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Lifespan DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_12 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_12
  • Brewer-Smyth, K (2022) Chapter 13. Physical Exercise, Sleep and the Brain. In K. Brewer-Smyth (Ed.), Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Lifespan DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_13 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_13
  • Brewer-Smyth, K (2022) Chapter 14. Self-Help for Lifelong Resilience: Cognitive Engagement, Education, Creativity, Sense of Purpose in Life, and Humor. In K. Brewer-Smyth (Ed.), Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Lifespan DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_14 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_14
  • Brewer-Smyth, K (2022) Chapter 15. The Healing Power of Nature and the Brain: Healing in Green and Blue Spaces. In K. Brewer-Smyth (Ed.), Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Lifespan DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_15 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-08801-8_15
  • Brewer-Smyth, K. (2022) Teaching Advanced Neuroscience. Invited Keynote Speaker, Nursing Diversity 2022, 3rd International Global Virtual Summit on Nursing Education. Theme: “Exploring new ideas and challenges in Nursing Education & Research“ Date: May 09 – 11, 2022 https://nursingconference.mindauthors.com/speakers/ 
  • Brewer-Smyth, K. (2022) Neurobiology of Forgiveness and Healing after Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma throughout the Life Course. Mid-Atlantic Partnership Regional Conference for the Public Health Associations of Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. Jan 13-14, 2022
  • Brewer-Smyth, K., Koenig, H. G., Kafonek, K., Adams, T, Raine A, and Granger, D. (2021) Post-Traumatic Bio-Behavioral Rehabilitation of Adult Female Victims. Delaware Journal of Public Health. 7(4) 160-166. Doi: 10.32481/djph.2021.09.021 PMID: 34604781 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8482978/
  • Brewer-Smyth, K., & Burgess, A.W. (2021) Neurobiology of Female Homicide Perpetrators. Journal of Interpersonal Violence Oct; 36(19-20):8915-8938. doi: 10.1177/0886260519860078. Epub 2019 Jul 22. PMID: 31328682 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31328682
  • Brewer-Smyth, K. (2021) Teaching Forgiveness as a Healing link between Trauma and Mental Health. Invited Keynote Speaker Nursing Diversity 2021, 2nd International Global Virtual Summit on Nursing Education: “Exploring new ideas and challenges in Nursing Education & Research” October 4th – 7th, 2021 https://nursingconference.mindauthors.com/ https://nursingconference.mindauthors.com/speakers/
  • Brewer-Smyth, K., Koenig, H. G., Kafonek, K., Adams, T, Raine A, and Granger, D. (2021) Post-Traumatic Bio-Behavioral Rehabilitation of Adult Female Victims. Delaware Journal of Public Health. 7(4) 160-166. Doi: 10.32481/djph.2021.09.021 PMID: 34604781 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8482978/ 
  • Brewer-Smyth, K., Kafonek, K., & Koenig, H. G. (2021) Sleep Quality, Forgiveness, Religion, Spirituality, and Health of Female Abuse Victims Living in a Homeless Shelter. Nurses Christian Fellowship International Virtual World Congress, July 9-11, 2021. NCFI World Congress 2021 Summary
  • Brewer-Smyth, K. (2021) What is Forgiveness and How Might it Mitigate the Life-Long Negative Health Consequences of Abuse and other Trauma? Nurses Christian Fellowship International Virtual World Congress, July 9-11, 2021. NCFI World Congress 2021 Summary
  • Brewer-Smyth, K., Koenig, H. G., Kafonek, K., Adams, T, Raine A, and Granger, D. (2020) Post-traumatic bio-behavioral rehabilitation of victims. American Academy of Nursing Transforming Health, Driving Policy Conference, October, 2020. https://www.academypolicyconference.com/
  • Brewer-Smyth, K., Kafonek, K., and Koenig, H. G. (2020). A Pilot Study on Sleep Quality, Forgiveness, Religion, Spirituality and General Health of Women Living in a Homeless Mission. Holistic Nursing Practice. Vol 34, No 1. https://journals.lww.com/hnpjournal/Abstract/2020/01000/A_Pilot_Study_on_Sleep_Quality,_Forgiveness,.6.aspx

  • Brewer-Smyth, K., Kafonek, K., & Koenig, H.G. (2019) Sleep, Forgiveness, and Health of Female Abuse Victims. Sigma Theta Tau International 45th Biennial Convention (16-20 November 2019) https://stti.confex.com/stti/bc19/webprogram/Paper99746.html

  • Brewer-Smyth, K. & Burgess, A.W. (2018) Neurobiology Precision Health: Women who Commit Homicide. Podium Presentation Abstract, State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research, Sept 13-15, 2018
  • Brewer-Smyth, K. (2018) Lateral Violence in Nursing: Implications and Strategies for Nurse Educators Letter to the Editor. Journal of Professional Nursing. Volume 34, No. 1. 5-6 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2017.12.003
    http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S8755722317302351
  • Brewer-Smyth, K. & Pohlig, R. T. (2017) Risk factors for females being under the influence of alcohol compared to other illicit substances at the time of committing violent crimes. Journal of Forensic Nursing. 13(4), 186-195. PMID: 29176519 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29176519
    https://doi.org/10.1097/JFN.0000000000000177
  • Brewer-Smyth, K., Cornelius, M., & Pohlig, R. T. (2016). Childhood adversity and mental health correlates of obesity in a population at risk. Journal of Correctional Health Care. October, 22(4):367-382.  PMID: 27742859  https://doi.org/10.1097/JFN.0000000000000062               

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5504522/

  • Brewer-Smyth, K. (2016) Suicidal women who commit homicide and other violent crimes, oral platform presentation, Counsel for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS) State of the Science Congress, Washington DC. 
  • Brewer-Smyth, K. & Pohlig, R. T. (2016) Females who commit violent crimes while under the influence of alcohol, oral platform presentation, Counsel for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS) State of the Science Congress, Washington DC. 
  • Brewer-Smyth, K., Pohlig, R. T. & Bucurescu, G. (2016). Female children with incarcerated adult family members at risk for life-long neurological decline. Health Care for Women International, 37(7-9)  http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2016.1140768, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26788781. Published on-line ahead of print: http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/mfVpa8ujqGqxZt8nfchR/full
  • Brewer-Smyth, K. (2016) Where have all the TBI patients gone? Oral lecture, Scientific Program, 9th International World Congress for Neurorehabilitation (WCNR 2016) Philadelphia, USA. May 10 – 13, 2016.
  • Brewer-Smyth, K., & Cornelius, M. (2015). Childhood sexual abuse and adult behavioral and health outcomes: A comparison of prison populations in 2 states. Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) Adverse Childhood Experiences Southeastern Summit 2015, Asheville, NC Sept 24-26 https://sys.mahec.net/ce/aces.aspx
  • Brewer-Smyth, K., Cornelius, M., & Pickelsimer, E. (2015). Childhood correlates of lifetime violent criminal behaviour: An epidemiological perspective on neurodevelopment.  International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience: the Official Journal of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience  Volume: 47   Issue: Pt A   Pages: 121   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26531644
  • Brewer-Smyth, K. (2015). Translational Perspectives on Violence. American Nurse Today – Official Peer-Reviewed Journal of the American Nurses Association 10(10), 23 ISSN: 1930-5583   MEDLINE Info: NLM UID: 101291565 http://www.americannursetoday.com/translational-perspectives-violence/
  • Brewer-Smyth, K., Cornelius, M., &  Pickelsimer, E. (2015). Childhood Adversity, Mental Health, and Violent Crime, Journal of Forensic Nursing 11(1) 4-14. doi: 10.1097/JFN.0000000000000062. PMID: 25695207 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25695207
  • Brewer-Smyth, K. (2014).  Obesity, traumatic brain injury, childhood abuse, and suicide attempts in females at risk. Rehabilitation Nursing 39(4) 183 – 191 DOI: 10.1002/rnj.150   Continuing education credits available from this article PMID: 24668743 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24668743 Full Text: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4227609/

  • Brewer-Smyth, K. & Koenig, H. (2014). Could spirituality and religion promote stress resilience in survivors of childhood trauma? Issues in Mental Health Nursing 35(4) 251–256. DOI: 10.3109/01612840.2013.873101
    PMID: 24702209 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24702209

Grants

  • University of Delaware College of Health Sciences Equipment Grant for Bio-Behavioral and Other Symptom Science Research. PI: K Brewer-Smyth, 2021-2022
  • Open and Affordable Teaching Materials Grant to decrease costs for students and to disseminate information about how to get the best use of library resources to find the best peer-reviewed journal articles and open affordable materials. PI: K Brewer-Smyth, 2021 - 2022

     

  • Post-traumatic neurobiology and behavior and associated epigenetic aging among adult female victims of trauma. University of Delaware SON Supplemental Grant Award, PI: K. Brewer-Smyth,  2020 – 2023

     

  • Childhood Abuse, Salivary Cortisol, Alcohol Use, and Violent Behavior of Females: A Pilot Study. UD General University Research (GUR) Grant, PI: K. Brewer-Smyth  2017 – 2020.

  • Where have all the TBI patients gone? National Science Foundation (NSF) ADVANCE Award HRD-1409472 Women in STEM – University of Delaware ADVANCE mini-grant  PI: K. Brewer-Smyth  05/1/2016 – 09/1/2016

  • Childhood correlates of lifetime violent criminal behavior: An epidemiological perspective on neurodevelopment. University of Delaware Institute for Global Studies. International Travel Award,  PI: K. Brewer-Smyth, 2014.

  • The Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) among Incarcerated Persons (U49) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control U49 CE001318 9/07-9/12 Co-I, Technical Oversight Committee (TOC) PI: E. Pickelsimer, Medical University of South Carolina

Honors & Awards

  • Most Valueable Professor, nominated by UD senior student fooball player, Blaise Sparks, 2023. Recognized at the UD Stadium during the November 4, 2023, Football Game     
  • Top Nurses Delaware Today: Winner in Rehabilitation category, Honorable Mention in several categories, 2022 
  • University of Delaware Excellence in Teaching Award, nominated multiple years
  • Inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), 2014
  • American Nurses Association National Professional Issues Panel on Workplace Violence and Incivility Advisory Committee, 2014 – 2015
  • Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) Doctorate-Prepared Researcher Role Award, 2013

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Tower at STAR: 100 Discovery Blvd, Newark, DE 19713 | Health Sciences Complex: 540 S. College Ave, Newark, DE 19713   chs-info@udel.edu Phone: 302-831-1060