Rhonda M Merwin
Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Rhonda M. Merwin, PhD, is a Licensed Psychologist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Merwin conducts research on the mechanisms and treatment of eating disorders, generally and specifically in the context of type 1 diabetes. She is particularly interested in the use acceptance, mindfulness and value-based interventions and mobile technology for real-time (ecological momentary) assessment and intervention and skills generalization. Her research is funded by the NIH among other sources. Dr. Merwin is a Peer-Reviewed ACT trainer, a Fellow of Association for Contextual Behavioral Science and the Director of the ACT at Duke Clinical and Training Program. She teaches in the medical center, supervises students and maintains a small clinical practice using ACT to treat problems in living, including anxiety, mood and eating disorders. For more information about Dr. Merwin's research, educational and clinical activities, see ACTatDuke.org.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
- Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Adult Psychiatry & Psychology, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences 2021
Contact Information
- 2400 Pratt Street, Durham, NC 27705
- Box 3320 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
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rhonda.merwin@duke.edu
(919) 681-7231
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ACT at Duke
- Background
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Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., University of Mississippi 2006
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Previous Appointments & Affiliations
- Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences 2018 - 2020
- Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences 2013 - 2018
- Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Clinical Science Departments 2008 - 2013
- Clinical Associate in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Clinical Science Departments 2006 - 2008
- Research
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Selected Grants
- FlexED: A Digital, Gamified Early Intervention for Eating Disorders based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy awarded by National Institutes of Health 2022 - 2024
- A randomized controlled trial of iACT, a novel mHealth intervention for eating disorders in type 1 diabetes awarded by Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 2022 - 2023
- North Carolina Diabetes Research Center Alzheimer's Supplement awarded by Wake Forest University School Of Medicine 2021 - 2022
- iOmit: Reducing Intentional Insulin Misuse in Type 1 Diabetes awarded by National Institutes of Health 2016 - 2019
- Eating Disorders in Type 1 Diabetes: Mechanisms of Comorbidity awarded by National Institutes of Health 2011 - 2015
- Biomarkers of Interoceptive Awareness in Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa awarded by National Institutes of Health 2009 - 2012
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External Relationships
- Book Royalties from Guilford Publications
- I provide consultation/trainings on ACT for eating disorders to practitioners in and outside of the US
- I provide individual consultation on ACT and eating disorder treatment to practitioners inside and outside of the US
- Publications & Artistic Works
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Selected Publications
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Academic Articles
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Chong, Yuen Yu, Wai Tong Chien, Ho Yu Cheng, Demetris Lamnisos, Jeļena Ļubenko, Giovambattista Presti, Valeria Squatrito, et al. “Predictors of changing patterns of adherence to containment measures during the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic: an international longitudinal study.” Global Health 19, no. 1 (April 17, 2023): 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-023-00928-7.Full Text Link to Item
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Merwin, Rhonda M., Patrisia Nikolaou, Ashley A. Moskovich, Michael Babyak, Patrick J. Smith, and Maria Karekla. “Change in body image flexibility and correspondence with outcomes in a digital early intervention for eating disorders based on acceptance and commitment therapy.” Body Image 44 (March 2023): 131–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.12.010.Full Text Link to Item
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Alvarez-Galvez, Javier, Andreas Anastasiou, Demetris Lamnisos, Marios Constantinou, Christiana Nicolaou, Savvas Papacostas, Vasilis S. Vasiliou, et al. “The impact of government actions and risk perception on the promotion of self-protective behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Plos One 18, no. 4 (2023): e0284433. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284433.Full Text Link to Item
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Onnink, C. M., Y. Konstantinidou, A. A. Moskovich, M. K. Karekla, and R. M. Merwin. “Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for eating disorders: A systematic review of intervention studies and call to action.” Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science 26 (October 1, 2022): 11–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2022.08.005.Full Text
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McHugh, Louise, and Rhonda M. Merwin. “Editors Introduction to the Special Issue on Advances in Cognitive and Behaviour Therapies and Applications in Health Practices.” J Clin Med 11, no. 18 (September 7, 2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11185269.Full Text Link to Item
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Nicolaou, P., R. M. Merwin, and M. Karekla. “Acceptability and feasibility of a gamified digital eating disorder early-intervention program (AcceptME) based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).” Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science 25 (July 1, 2022): 26–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2022.06.001.Full Text
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Karekla, Maria, Patrisia Nikolaou, and Rhonda M. Merwin. “Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating AcceptME-A Digital Gamified Acceptance and Commitment Early Intervention Program for Individuals at High Risk for Eating Disorders.” J Clin Med 11, no. 7 (March 23, 2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11071775.Full Text Link to Item
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Kassianos, Angelos P., Alexandros Georgiou, Maria Kyprianidou, Demetris Lamnisos, Jeļena Ļubenko, Giovambattista Presti, Valeria Squatrito, et al. “Mental Health and Adherence to COVID-19 Protective Behaviors among Cancer Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International, Multinational Cross-Sectional Study.” Cancers (Basel) 13, no. 24 (December 15, 2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13246294.Full Text Link to Item
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Nicolaou, C., J. Menikou, D. Lamnisos, J. Lubenko, G. Presti, V. Squatrito, M. Constantinou, et al. “Mental Health Status of Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Outbreak: An International Study.” European Journal of Psychology Open 80, no. 1–2 (September 1, 2021): 62–76. https://doi.org/10.1024/2673-8627/a000010.Full Text
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Chong, Yuen Yu, Wai Tong Chien, Ho Yu Cheng, Demetris Lamnisos, Jeļena Ļubenko, Giovambattista Presti, Valeria Squatrito, et al. “Patterns of Psychological Responses among the Public during the Early Phase of COVID-19: A Cross-Regional Analysis.” Int J Environ Res Public Health 18, no. 8 (April 14, 2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084143.Full Text Link to Item
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Hayes, S. C., R. M. Merwin, L. McHugh, E. K. Sandoz, J. G. L. A-Tjak, F. J. Ruiz, D. Barnes-Holmes, et al. “Report of the ACBS Task Force on the strategies and tactics of contextual behavioral science research.” Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science 20 (April 1, 2021): 172–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2021.03.007.Full Text
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Smith, Patrick J., and Rhonda M. Merwin. “The Role of Exercise in Management of Mental Health Disorders: An Integrative Review.” Annu Rev Med 72 (January 27, 2021): 45–62. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-med-060619-022943.Full Text Link to Item
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Merwin, Rhonda M., Ashley A. Moskovich, Michael Babyak, Mark Feinglos, Lisa K. Honeycutt, Jan Mooney, Sara P. Freeman, Heather Batchelder, and Devdutta Sangvai. “An open trial of app-assisted acceptance and commitment therapy (iACT) for eating disorders in type 1 diabetes.” J Eat Disord 9, no. 1 (January 6, 2021): 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-020-00357-6.Full Text Link to Item
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Haller, Elisa, Jelena Lubenko, Giovambattista Presti, Valeria Squatrito, Marios Constantinou, Christiana Nicolaou, Savvas Papacostas, et al. “To Help or Not to Help? Prosocial Behavior, Its Association With Well-Being, and Predictors of Prosocial Behavior During the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic.” Front Psychol 12 (2021): 775032. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.775032.Full Text Link to Item
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Smith, Colin M., Alissa Stavig, Peter McCann, Ashley A. Moskovich, and Rhonda M. Merwin. “"Let's Talk About Your Note": Using Open Notes as an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Based Intervention in Mental Health Care.” Front Psychiatry 12 (2021): 704415. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.704415.Full Text Link to Item
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Gloster, Andrew T., Demetris Lamnisos, Jelena Lubenko, Giovambattista Presti, Valeria Squatrito, Marios Constantinou, Christiana Nicolaou, et al. “Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health: An international study.” Plos One 15, no. 12 (2020): e0244809. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244809.Full Text Link to Item
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Koushiou, Maria, Rhonda M. Merwin, Drew Anderson, and Maria Karekla. “An investigation of the affective experience of females at high risk for eating disorders in general and pathology-specific contexts.” Appetite 141 (October 1, 2019): 104306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.05.037.Full Text Link to Item
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Moskovich, Ashley A., Natalia O. Dmitrieva, Michael A. Babyak, Patrick J. Smith, Lisa K. Honeycutt, Jan Mooney, and Rhonda M. Merwin. “Real-time predictors and consequences of binge eating among adults with type 1 diabetes.” J Eat Disord 7 (2019): 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-019-0237-3.Full Text Link to Item
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Merwin, Rhonda M., Ashley A. Moskovich, Lisa K. Honeycutt, James D. Lane, Mark Feinglos, Richard S. Surwit, Nancy L. Zucker, et al. “Time of Day When Type 1 Diabetes Patients With Eating Disorder Symptoms Most Commonly Restrict Insulin.” Psychosom Med 80, no. 2 (2018): 222–29. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000550.Full Text Link to Item
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Nieuwsma, Jason A., Laura O. Wray, Corrine I. Voils, Jennifer M. Gierisch, Margaret Dundon, Cynthia J. Coffman, George L. Jackson, et al. “A problem-solving intervention for cardiovascular disease risk reduction in veterans: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.” Contemp Clin Trials 60 (September 2017): 42–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2017.06.001.Full Text Link to Item
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Moskovich, Ashley A., C Alix Timko, Lisa K. Honeycutt, Nancy L. Zucker, and Rhonda M. Merwin. “Change in expressed emotion and treatment outcome in adolescent anorexia nervosa.” Eat Disord 25, no. 1 (2017): 80–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2016.1255111.Full Text Link to Item
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Zucker, Nancy L., Philip A. Kragel, Henry Ryan Wagner, Lori Keeling, Emeran Mayer, Joyce Wang, Min Su Kang, Rhonda Merwin, W Kyle Simmons, and Kevin S. LaBar. “The Clinical Significance of Posterior Insular Volume in Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa.” Psychosom Med 79, no. 9 (2017): 1025–35. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000510.Full Text Link to Item
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Merwin, Rhonda M., Natalia O. Dmitrieva, Lisa K. Honeycutt, Ashley A. Moskovich, James D. Lane, Nancy L. Zucker, Richard S. Surwit, Mark Feinglos, and Jennifer Kuo. “Momentary Predictors of Insulin Restriction Among Adults With Type 1 Diabetes and Eating Disorder Symptomatology.” Diabetes Care 38, no. 11 (November 2015): 2025–32. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc15-0753.Full Text Link to Item
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Winecoff, Amy A., Lawrence Ngo, Ashley Moskovich, Rhonda Merwin, and Nancy Zucker. “The functional significance of shyness in anorexia nervosa.” Eur Eat Disord Rev 23, no. 4 (July 2015): 327–32. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.2363.Full Text Link to Item
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Timko, C Alix, Nancy L. Zucker, James D. Herbert, Daniel Rodriguez, and Rhonda M. Merwin. “An open trial of Acceptance-based Separated Family Treatment (ASFT) for adolescents with anorexia nervosa.” Behav Res Ther 69 (June 2015): 63–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2015.03.011.Full Text Link to Item
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Zucker, Nancy, H Ryan Wagner, Rhonda Merwin, Cynthia M. Bulik, Ashley Moskovich, Lori Keeling, and Rick Hoyle. “Self-focused attention in anorexia nervosa.” Int J Eat Disord 48, no. 1 (January 2015): 9–14. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22307.Full Text Link to Item
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Merwin, Rhonda M., Ashley A. Moskovich, Natalia O. Dmitrieva, Carl F. Pieper, Lisa K. Honeycutt, Nancy L. Zucker, Richard S. Surwit, and Lori Buhi. “Disinhibited eating and weight-related insulin mismanagement among individuals with type 1 diabetes.” Appetite 81 (October 2014): 123–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2014.05.028.Full Text Link to Item
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Merwin, Rhonda M., Nancy L. Zucker, and C Alix Timko. “A Pilot Study of an Acceptance-Based Separated Family Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa.” Cogn Behav Pract 20, no. 4 (November 2013): 485–500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2012.11.001.Full Text Link to Item
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Zucker, Nancy L., Rhonda M. Merwin, Cynthia M. Bulik, Ashley Moskovich, Jennifer E. Wildes, and Jennifer Groh. “Subjective experience of sensation in anorexia nervosa.” Behav Res Ther 51, no. 6 (June 2013): 256–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2013.01.010.Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
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Sandoz, E. K., K. G. Wilson, R. M. Merwin, and K. Kate Kellum. “Assessment of body image flexibility: The Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire.” Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science 2, no. 1–2 (April 15, 2013): 39–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2013.03.002.Full Text
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Merwin, Rhonda M., Ashley A. Moskovich, H Ryan Wagner, Lorie A. Ritschel, Linda W. Craighead, and Nancy L. Zucker. “Emotion regulation difficulties in anorexia nervosa: Relationship to self-perceived sensory sensitivity.” Cogn Emot 27, no. 3 (2013): 441–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2012.719003.Full Text Link to Item
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Zucker, Nancy, Ashley Moskovich, Cynthia M. Bulik, Rhonda Merwin, Katherine Gaddis, Molly Losh, Joseph Piven, Henry R. Wagner, and Kevin S. LaBar. “Perception of affect in biological motion cues in anorexia nervosa.” Int J Eat Disord 46, no. 1 (January 2013): 12–22. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22062.Full Text Link to Item
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Merwin, R. M. “Anorexia Nervosa as a Disorder of Emotion Regulation: Theory, Evidence, and Treatment Implications.” Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice 18, no. 3 (September 1, 2011): 208–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2850.2011.01252.x.Full Text
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Merwin, Rhonda M., C Alix Timko, Ashley A. Moskovich, Krista Konrad Ingle, Cynthia M. Bulik, and Nancy L. Zucker. “Psychological inflexibility and symptom expression in anorexia nervosa.” Eat Disord 19, no. 1 (2011): 62–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2011.533606.Full Text Link to Item
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Zucker, Nancy L., David Herzog, Ashley Moskovich, Rhonda Merwin, and Tammy Lin. “Incorporating dispositional traits into the treatment of anorexia nervosa.” Curr Top Behav Neurosci 6 (2011): 289–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2010_92.Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
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Merwin, R. M., N. L. Zucker, J. L. Lacy, and C. A. Elliott. “Interoceptive awareness in eating disorders: Distinguishing lack of clarity from non-acceptance of internal experience.” Cognition and Emotion 24, no. 5 (July 14, 2010): 892–902. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930902985845.Full Text
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Adcock, A. C., R. M. Merwin, K. G. Wilson, C. E. Drake, C. I. Tucker, and C. Elliott. “The problem is not learning: Facilitated acquisition of stimulus equivalence classes among low-achieving college students.” Psychological Record 60, no. 1 (January 1, 2010): 43–56. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03395693.Full Text
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Zucker, N., R. Merwin, C. Elliott, J. Lacy, and D. Eichen. “Assessment of eating disorder symptoms in children and adolescents,” December 1, 2009, 401–43. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09528-8_14.Full Text
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Merwin, R. M., M. Zachary Rosenthal, and K. A. Coffey. “Experiential avoidance mediates the relationship between sexual victimization and psychological symptoms: Replicating findings with an ethnically diverse sample.” Cognitive Therapy and Research 33, no. 5 (October 1, 2009): 537–42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-008-9225-7.Full Text
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Georgiades, Anastasia, James D. Lane, Stephen H. Boyle, Beverly H. Brummett, John C. Barefoot, Cynthia M. Kuhn, Mark N. Feinglos, et al. “Hostility and fasting glucose in African American women.” Psychosom Med 71, no. 6 (July 2009): 642–45. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181acee3a.Full Text Link to Item
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Surwit, Richard S., James D. Lane, David S. Millington, Haoyue Zhang, Mark N. Feinglos, Sharon Minda, Rhonda Merwin, Cynthia M. Kuhn, Raymond C. Boston, and Anastasia Georgiades. “Hostility and minimal model of glucose kinetics in African American women.” Psychosom Med 71, no. 6 (July 2009): 646–51. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181acee4c.Full Text Link to Item
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Cuper, P., T. Lynch, and R. Merwin. “Personality disorders,” December 1, 2007, 403–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012372544-8/50021-5.Full Text
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Rogers, L. J., K. G. Wilson, C. L. Gohm, and R. M. Merwin. “Revisiting written disclosure: The effects of warm versus cold experimenters.” Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 26, no. 5 (May 1, 2007): 556–74. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2007.26.5.556.Full Text
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Merwin, R. M., and K. G. Wilson. “Preliminary findings on the effects of self-referring and evaluative stimuli on stimulus equivalence class formation.” Psychological Record 55, no. 4 (January 1, 2005): 561–75. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395527.Full Text
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Merwin, R. M., and J. B. Ellis. “Children's reasons for living, self-esteem, and violence.” Archives of Suicide Research 8, no. 3 (December 1, 2004): 251–61. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811110490436909.Full Text
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Book Sections
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Merwin, R., P. Cuper, T. Lynch, and K. McMahon. “Personality disorders.” In Functional Analysis in Clinical Treatment, Second Edition, 451–78, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-805469-7.00019-X.Full Text
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Merwin, Rhonda, Sarah O’Rourke, Lindsay Ives, Stine Harstad, and Taylor Brooks. “Third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies for the treatment of anxiety among children and adolescents.” In Pediatric Anxiety Disorders, edited by Scott Compton, Marianne Villabo, and Hanne Kristensen. Academic Press, 2019.
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Conference Papers
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Dmitrieva, Natalia O., Ashley M. Moskovich, Lisa K. Honeycutt, Nancy L. Zucker, and Rhonda M. Merwin. “PROFILES OF DISORDERED EATING BEHAVIORS IN TYPE 1 DIABETES.” In Psychosomatic Medicine, 78:A32–A32. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS, 2016.Link to Item
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