Bridget S Murphy
- Assistant Research Professor, Public Health
- (Zoo) m-
- Roy P. Drachman Hall, Rm. 200
- Tucson, AZ 85721
- bridget@arizona.edu
Biography
Dr. Murphy is an assistant research professor in the Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health in the Department of Health Promotion Sciences at the University of Arizona (U of A). Dr. Murphy also works with the U of A’s Arizona Center for Rural Health and Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction. She has more than three decades of education and experience in public and behavioral health. Dr. Murphy has had positions in academic institutions, community-based, and private sector organizations. She has a doctorate in behavioral health and a master’s in education. Her principal expertise is in substance use and related issues (e.g., pain/trauma, infectious diseases) prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery for culturally and linguistically diverse populations in various settings.
As a teen, Dr. Murphy struggled with substance use and mental health issues and participated in treatment. This experience provided the foundation for my academic and professional direction. She uses her personal experience as an evidence-based strategy to reduce stigma, communicate science through storytelling, and increase access to education, services, and support for diverse populations. Science tells us the words we use and the ways we describe people, and their families, may influence access to care and services provided. Dr. Murphy prioritizes addressing stigma and including people with lived experience by using adult learning principles and strength-based approaches.
Dissemination & Implementation (D&I) Science. Dr. Murphy began her career by providing services to adolescents involved with the juvenile justice system. This led to various projects implementing evidence-based programs for adolescents and their families, transitional-aged youth, and pregnant, parenting, and childless women. She led the day-to-day implementation of a multi-site screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment (SBIRT) project for juvenile justice involved youth and their caregivers. She also coordinated a study assessing the efficacy of online training for parents who have children with or suspected of having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Today, through a career development award, she is developing interventions and strategies to implement Opioid Stewardship Programs (OSPs) in rural healthcare organizations to address pain and addiction. She was a fellow in the Mountain States-Community Engaged Dissemination and Implementation (MS-CEDI) sponsored by Arizona State University.
Supporting the Public Health Workforce. Dr. Murphy values the contributions of our public health workforce and works to provide training and technical assistance to enhance these systems and services. Dr. Murphy has directed professional development activities in a variety of settings for professionals across the U.S. She leads a contract with the Arizona Department of Health Services - Overdose Data to Action State (OD2A-S) where the team provides training and technical assistance in pain and addiction. Together, the OD2A-S team collaborates with community leaders, healthcare practitioners, and community health workers/representatives to address pain, opioids, stimulants, and polysubstance use in Arizona. She is also a chair for the U of A Interprofessional Education and Practice (IPE) on pain and substance misuse.
Teaching and Service. Dr. Murphy is the instructor for the undergraduate course Drugs and Society and faculty lead for the undergraduate certificate and minor in addiction and substance use. Dr. Murphy is an advisor to the U of A’s Arizona Cannabis Education program and the Team Awareness Combatting Overdose (TACO) student club
Research Synopsis
Link to PubMed https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1f5q0XJnippMnz/bibliography/public/
Link to ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4536-0758
Degrees
- Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) Behavioral Health - Management Track
- Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States
- Murphy, B.S. (2020). Improving staff effectiveness, efficiency, and knowledge of health information exchange [Unpublished doctoral culminating project]. Arizona State University.
- M.Ed. Education: Counseling-Human Relations, With Distinction
- Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
- Bachelors in Business Communications (BABC) Business Communications, Magna Cum Laude
- Jones International University, Centennial, Colorado, United States
Work Experience
- University of Arizona, Center for Transformative Interprofessional Health Care (2023 - Ongoing)
- University of Arizona, Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction (2023 - Ongoing)
- University of Arizona, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Center for Rural Health (2022 - Ongoing)
- University of Arizona, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Center for Rural Health (2022 - Ongoing)
- University of Arizona, Comprehensive Pain & Addiction Center (2022 - 2023)
- University of Arizona, Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center (2020 - 2022)
- University of Arizona, College of Public Health, Center for Rural Health (2020 - 2022)
- University of Arizona, College of Public Health, Center for Rural Health (2019 - 2022)
- University of Arizona, College of Public Health, Health Promotion Sciences (2017 - 2019)
- Portland State University, School of Social Work, Regional Research Institute, Reclaiming Futures (2015 - 2017)
- Danya International, Inc. (2013 - 2014)
- JBS International (2012 - 2013)
- Innovations, Quality, and Outcomes, LLC (2011 - 2013)
- Independent Consultant (1999 - 2014)
- National Development and Research Institute (1997 - 1998)
- Amity, Inc. (1989 - 1997)
Awards
- Outstanding Organization Advisor Award
- Associated Students of the University of Arizona, Spring 2024
- Five Star Faculty
- University of Arizona, Spring 2023 (Award Nominee)
Interests
Research
Translational science that accelerates uptake of evidence-based practices specifically in culturally and linguistically diverse settings (e.g., rural healthcare).
Teaching
Substance use, misuse, and addiction and related issues such as pain/trauma, other mental health concerns, and infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, HepC).
Courses
2024-25 Courses
-
Drugs + Society
HPS 306 (Fall 2024)
2023-24 Courses
-
Drugs + Society
HPS 306 (Spring 2024) -
Drugs + Society
HPS 306 (Fall 2023)
2022-23 Courses
-
Drugs + Society
HPS 306 (Spring 2023) -
Drugs + Society
HPS 306 (Fall 2022)
2021-22 Courses
-
Drugs + Society
HPS 306 (Spring 2022) -
Drugs + Society
HPS 306 (Fall 2021)
2020-21 Courses
-
Drugs + Society
HPS 306 (Spring 2021) -
Preceptorship
HPS 491 (Spring 2021) -
Drugs + Society
HPS 306 (Fall 2020)
2019-20 Courses
-
Drugs + Society
HPS 306 (Fall 2019)
Scholarly Contributions
Chapters
- Stevens, S. J., Hasler, J., Murphy, B. S., Taylor, R., Senior, M., Barron, M., Garcia, P., & Powis, Z. (2003). La Cañada adolescent treatment program: Addressing issues of drug use, gender and trauma.. In Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment in the United States. Binghampton, NY: The Haworth Press.
- Stevens, S. J., Arbiter, N., Mullen, R., & Murphy, B. S. (1996). Substance abuse treatment for adolescents using a modified therapeutic community model.. In Intervening with Drug Involved Youth. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Journals/Publications
- Brady, B. R., SantaMaria, B., Tucker Ortiz y Pino, K., & Murphy, B. S. (2024). Opioid stewardship program implementation in rural and critical access hospitals in Arizona.
. Journal of Opioid Management, 20(1), 21-30. doi:10.5055/jom.0842 - Nuno, V. L., Nuno, V. L., Wertheim, B. C., Wertheim, B. C., Murphy, B. S., Murphy, B. S., Glasser, H. N., Glasser, H. N., Wahl, R. A., Wahl, R. A., Roe, D. J., & Roe, D. J. (2020). The Online Nurtured Heart Approach to Parenting: A Randomized Study to Improve ADHD Behaviors in Children Ages 6-8.. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry,, 20(1), 169 - 186. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/EHPP-D-20-00013
- Nuno, V. L., Wertheim, B. C., Murphy, B. S., Wahl, R. A., & Roe, D. (2019). Testing the efficacy of the Nurtured Heart Approach to reduce ADHD symptoms in children by training parents: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 13, 1-6. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2018.100312
- Murphy, B. S., Branson, C. E., Francis, J., Vaughn, G. C., Greene, A., Kingwood, N., & Adjei, G. A. (2014). Integrating adolescent substance abuse treatment with HIV services: evidence-based models and baseline descriptions. Journal of evidence-based social work, 11(5), 445-59. doi:10.1080/15433714.2012.760968More infoAdolescents with substance use disorders are at high risk for contracting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Adolescence is the period of sexual maturation that compounds the issues associated with infection transmission for this risk-taking group. Integrated treatment models for implementing HIV education, counseling, and testing is a promising approach. This study describes four substance abuse treatment programs of varying levels of care that integrated HIV services for adolescents. Additionally, the evidence-based substance abuse treatment and HIV models are discussed and the baseline characteristics presented. The authors provide a discussion and offer recommendations for service implementation and additional research.
- Murphy, B. S., Korchmaros, J. D., Greene, A., & Hedges, K. (2011). Evidence-based substance abuse treatment for adolescents: Engagement and outcomes. Evidence-based substance abuse treatment for adolescents: Engagement and outcomes, 23(4), 215-233. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/09503153.2011.597207
- Murphy, B. S., Hedges, K., Greene, A., Arnold, S., Colonna, H., Stevens, S. J., Andrade, R. A., & O’Neill, S. (2009). School and community counseling collaboration: A promising approach to address youth substance abuse. School Counseling Research and Practice, 1, 10.
- Murphy, B. S., Stevens, S. J., Furhiman, J., Bogart, J., & Korchmaros, J. D. (2009). A juvenile drug court model in southern Arizona: Substance abuse, delinquency, and sexual risk outcomes by gender and race/ethnicity. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 48(5), 416-438. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/10509670902979637
- Stevens, S. J., Andrade, R. A., & Ruiz, B. S. (2009). Women and substance abuse: gender, age, and cultural considerations. Journal of ethnicity in substance abuse, 8(3), 341-58. doi:10.1080/15332640903110542More infoHistorically, data has shown that a smaller percentage of women use alcohol and illicit substances compared to men, and that frequency of use has been lower among women compared to use among men. Although this data on usage may be true, researchers also acknowledge that substance use among women has been a hidden issue, one not realistically acknowledged by society, especially prior to the mid-1960s. Along with this, more recent data indicates that rates of substance use among women are increasing. Factors contributing to this increase in substance abuse have begun to receive considerable attention, and recent research suggests that many issues exist that are unique to substance use among women. The purpose of this article is to discuss gender specific considerations in women's substance abuse by examining the history of substance use among women; analyzing gender-specific factors, including physiological factors, trauma-related factors, mental health issues, and cultural considerations that impact on women's substance use; articulating treatment approaches for working with substance abusing women and girls; and providing recommendations for further research in this area.
- Cousins, J. C., Bootzin, R. R., Stevens, S. J., Ruiz, B. S., & Haynes, P. L. (2007). Parental involvement, psychological distress, and sleep: a preliminary examination in sleep-disturbed adolescents with a history of substance abuse. Journal of family psychology : JFP : journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43), 21(1), 104-13. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.21.1.104More infoThe relationships between family environment and psychological distress and between psychological distress and sleep disturbance in adolescents are well established. However, less is known about the influence of family environment on sleep disturbance. The authors' goal is to examine the effects of parental involvement on psychological distress and sleep disturbance in 34 adolescents with a history of substance abuse. Linear regression techniques and confidence intervals were used to test the significance of mediation analyses. Lower levels of parental involvement were associated with higher levels of psychological distress, and higher levels of psychological distress were associated with lower sleep efficiency and more time spent in bed. Follow-up analyses found that higher levels of parental involvement were associated with earlier morning arising times, when controlling for psychological distress. These data indicate that psychological distress is important to consider when examining the relationship between parental involvement and sleep in adolescents.
- Stevens, S. J., Schwebel, R., & Murphy, B. S. (2007). Seven Challenges: An effective treatment for adolescents with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health problems.. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 7(3), 21. doi:https://doi.org/10.1300/J160v07n03_03
- Stevens, S., Haynes, P. L., Ruiz, B., & Bootzin, R. R. (2007). Effects of a behavioral sleep medicine intervention on trauma symptoms in adolescents recently treated for substance abuse. Substance Abuse, 28(2), 21-31. doi:10.1300/J465v28n02_04More infoThis study tested whether improvement in sleep by an integrative, behavioral sleep intervention was associated with improvement in traumatic stress (TS) symptoms in a sample of 20 adolescents who were recently treated for substance abuse. Sleep was measured throughout the intervention via daily sleep diaries, and traumatic stress symptoms were assessed by the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN) at baseline, post-intervention, 3-months post-intervention, and 12-months post-intervention. Individuals with more time in bed and more total sleep time at the beginning of the intervention had more improvement in TS symptom trajectories across the intervention and at the 12-month follow-up assessment. Interaction trends also emerged indicating that adolescents who, throughout the sleep intervention, went to bed later and fell asleep faster had greater improvements in TS symptoms over time. Overall, these results indicate that stimulus control, a therapy that encourages patients to attempt sleep only when they are sleepy, may be particularly helpful for adolescents with TS symptoms, sleep disturbances, and substance abuse histories.
- Stevens, S. J., Murphy, B. S., Bracamonte-Wiggs, C., & Shea, M. (2006). Intensive home-based treatment for children and adolescents: A promising alternative to residential and hospital care. Child and Family Behavior Therapy Journal, 28(4), 39-58. doi:10.1300/J019v28n04_03
- Murphy, B. S., Stevens, S. J., McKnight, K., Godley, S., & Shane, P. (2005). Treatment issues and outcomes for juvenile justice involved youth from rural and nonrural areas. The Prison Journal, 85(1), 97-121. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0032885504274295
- Rosser, R., Stevens, S. J., & Murphy, B. S. (2005). Cognitive marker of adolescent risk taking: A correlate of drug abuse in at-risk individuals. The Prison Journal,, 85(1), 83-96. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0032885504274292
- Stevens, S. J., Estrada, B., Murphy, B. S., McKnight, K. M., & Tims, F. (2004). Gender differences in substance use, mental health, and criminal justice involvement of adolescents at treatment entry and at three, six, twelve and thirty month follow-up. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 36(1), 13-25. doi:10.1080/02791072.2004.10399720More infoMany adolescents entering substance abuse treatment have coexisting mental health problems and are criminally involved. Examination of the complexities of substance use, mental health, and criminal justice involvement along with changes in these issues following treatment is needed. This study includes 941 males and 266 females enrolled in seven drug treatment programs located in geographically diverse areas of the United States. Comparisons between males and females at treatment entry and three, six, 12 and 30 months later were examined with regard to substance use, mental health, and criminal justice involvement. Results indicate that females showed significantly greater severity in substance use, problems associated with use, and mental health related variables at intake while males had significantly more days on probation/parole. With respect to change over time, the rate of change in mental health and days on probation/parole differed between the sexes. Results indicate that while rate of change is different for males and females on most variables, there was positive change following treatment for both groups with regard to substance use, mental health, and probation/parole status. The high severity levels of females at intake calls for gender-specific outreach and identification along with gender-specific treatments.
- Stevens, S. J., Murphy, B. S., & McKnight, K. (2003). Traumatic stress and gender differences in relationship to substance abuse, mental health, physical health, and HIV risk behavior in a sample of adolescents enrolled in drug treatment. Child maltreatment, 8(1), 46-57. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559502239611More infoResearch on traumatic stress (TS) among adolescent substance users is limited, with research indicating that not all adolescents who experience trauma are substance users and not all adolescent substance users report symptoms of TS. In the general adolescent population, research on TS symptoms indicates gender differences, with more females reporting traumatic life events and more symptoms associated with traumatic stress. A gap in research exists, however, with regard to gender differences among adolescent substance users who report low versus acute levels of TS symptoms. This study included 274 male and 104 female adolescents enrolled in four drug treatment programs in Arizona. Comparisons between males and females and those with low versus acute levels of TS symptoms were examined with regard to substance use, mental health, physical health, and HIV risk-taking behavior. Results indicate significant differences between males and females and between those reporting low versus acute TS. In general, females and those with acute levels of TS symptoms had higher levels of substance use, mental health, and physical health problems as well as greater HIV risk behaviors when compared to males and those with low levels of TS symptoms. Results of this study indicate the need to assess adolescents for TS, including victimization and maltreatment histories, when entering substance abuse treatment and the need to simultaneously address issues of substance use, TS, and related mental health, physical health, and HIV sex risk behavior while in treatment.
- Murphy, B. S., Stevens, S. J., McGrath, R., Wexler, H., & Reardon, D. (1998). Women and violence: A different look. Drugs and Society, 13(1/2), 131-144. doi:https://doi.org/10.1300/J023v13n01_08
Others
- Murphy, B. S. (2020, May). Improving staff effectiveness, efficiency, and knowledge of health information exchange. Arizona State University.