Rhonda M Merwin | Scholars@Duke

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 focused on identifying mechanisms of eating disorders, and innovating treatments, 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 momentary intervention and skills generalization. Her research is funded by the NIH (primarily NIDDK), among other sources. Dr. Merwin is recognized by the Association of Contextual Behavioral Science as an ACT trainer and is the Director of the ACT at Duke Clinical and Training Program. She maintains a small clinical practice within the Duke Clinic that uses 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

40 Medicine Circle, DUMC Box 3842, Durham, NC 27710
Box 3320 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
rhonda.merwin@duke.edu (919) 681-7231
ACT at Duke

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., University of Mississippi 2006
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, Medical Psychology, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences 2008 - 2013
- Clinical Associate in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Medical Psychology, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences 2006 - 2008
Research
Selected Grants
- 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
External Relationships
- I provide consultation/trainings on ACT for eating disorders to practitioners outside the US
- I provide individual consultation on ACT and eating disorder treatment to practitioners outside of the US
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - 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 (Accepted).” Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science 26 (October 1, 2022): 11–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2022.08.005.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 (January 2017): 80–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2016.1255111.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 (January 2011): 62–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2011.533606.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 (n.d.): 222–29. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000550.
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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 (n.d.): 1025–35. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000510.
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- Book Sections
  - 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.
- Conference Papers
  - 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.
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Education, Training, & Certifications

Previous Appointments & Affiliations

Selected Grants

External Relationships

Selected Publications

Academic Articles

Book Sections

Conference Papers