OTHED 1510- Critical Analysis of Evidence

OTHED 1512- Research Project Development

OTHED 1605-Research Proposal Development

OTHED 1610- Research Project Implementation

OTHED 1612- Research Project Synthesis

OTHED 1649- OT Practice-Psychosocial

OTHED 1722- Recovery & Occupational Justice

Dr. Simpsons' research is primarily qualitative, with an emphasis on the lived experiences of communities and individuals who have been historically marginalized/oppressed. Her primarily research interests include:

Homelessness in LGBTQ+ young people: Dr. Simpson explores occupational identity in LGBTQ+ young people who are unhoused (i.e. shelters, transitional living facilities, supportive housing), including the development of identity as a worker through work self-efficacy interventions. She also investigates how the unique experiences of this population are shaped by discrimination, oppression, and family and other social contexts, and additionally how their resilience and resourcefulness impact their occupations and daily routines. 

How healthcare providers experience addiction and stigma In the workplace: The most stigmatized health condition worldwide is illicit drug use disorder and all forms of addiction/substance use are socially unsanctioned. For people experiencing addiction, stigma can result in decreased self-efficacy, mental health challenges, and a host of additional health and social consequences. When applied to a workplace environment where social norms and behavioral expectations often devalue differences in experience and identity, stigma can further isolate people from colleagues and negatively impact work quality and satisfaction. For people with experiences of addiction, stigma can even result in a reticence to work. Between 10-15% of all medical professionals are diagnosed with substance use disorder within their lifetime and approximately one-third of HCPs report having concern about a colleague’s substance use. Healthcare providers (HCPs), including occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs), with experiences of addiction report refraining from seeking help because of stigma, fear of repercussions, shame, and a perceived lack of support. Substance use/addiction impacts the individual, the workplace, and patients who may receive care from impaired providers; therefore Dr. Simpson's research accesses the lived experiences of these providers in order to identify ways to support their recovery.

Relationship of trauma and violence to occupation: Dr. Simpson has conducted research on the experiences of people in same-sex relationships who have experienced partner violence and the needs that they have related to life skill development and social participation. Her current interests focus on how trauma shapes people's experiences of occupation, including the trauma of violence, poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, and displacement.

Groezinger, K. L., Honsa., C. J., Wilkinson, D. A., & Simpson, E. K. (2023). Occupational transitions of family caregivers of loved ones with dementia. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences & Practice, 21(1), 11. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2197.

Simpson, E. K., McDermott, C. P., & Hild, L. E. (2020). Needs of transitionally housed young people to promote occupational participation. Occupational Therapy in Health Care. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380577.2020.1737895

Simpson, E. K., Ramirez, N. M., Branstetter, B., Reed, A., & Lines, E. (2018). Occupational therapy practitioners’ perspectives of mental health practices in stroke rehabilitation. OTJR: Occupation, Participation, and Health, 38, 181-189. doi:10.1177/1539449218759627

Simpson, E. K., Conniff, B. G., Faber, B. N., & Semmelhack, E. K. (2018). Daily occupations, routines, and social participation of homeless young people. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 34(3), 203-227. doi:10.1080/0164212X.2017.1421491

Simpson, E. K., Lukas, A., James, M., & Jones, S. (2018). A leisure-based group intervention for at-risk, urban dwelling children. SIS Quarterly Practice Connections: A Supplement to OT Practice, 3(3), 16-19.

Guimond, J., Park, L., Robinson, C., Wauthier, M., & Simpson, E. K. (2017). Transitioning from nursing facilities to community living for people with serious mental illness. Communique, 3, 6-9.

Simpson, E. K. (2017). Influence of gender-based family roles on gender transition for transgender women. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 14(4), 356-380. doi:10.1080/1550428X.2017.1359722

Simpson, E. K., Angell, J., Cuba, J., Harris, M., & Nagy, K. (2017). Perspectives of homeless families on the influence of supportive housing on family roles and routines. Communique, 2, 6-9.

Simpson, E. K., Watts, I. D., & Kraus, S.J. (2016). An exploration of the self-management routines of people with serious mental illness. Communique, 4, 9-10.

Simpson, E. K., & Helfrich, C. (2014). Oppression and barriers to service for black, lesbian survivors of intimate partner violence. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 26(4), 441-464. doi:10.1080/10538720.2014.951816

Simpson, E.  (2014). Building our evidence base through occupational therapy student contributions. Communique, April/May/June 2014.

Helfrich, C.A., Simpson, E., & Chan, D. (2014). Change patterns of homeless individuals with mental illness: A multiple case study. Community Mental Health Journal, 50, 531-537. doi:10.1007/s10597-013-9647-x

Helfrich, C.A., Simpson, E., Chan, D., & Sabol, P. (2012). Readiness-to-change cluster profiles among adults with mental illness who were homeless participating in a life skills intervention. Community Mental Health Journal, 48, 673-681. doi:10.1007/s10597-011-9383-z

Helfrich, C.A., Badiani, C. & Simpson, E. K. (2006). Worker role identity development of women with disabilities who experience domestic violence. Work, 27, 319-328.

Helfrich, C. & Simpson, E. (2006). Improving services for lesbian clients: What do domestic violence agencies need to do? Health Care for Women International, 27, 344-361. https://doi.org/10.1080/07399330500511725

Simpson, E. & Helfrich, C. (2005). Lesbian survivors of intimate partner violence: Provider perspectives on barriers to accessing services. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 18, 5, 39-59. https://doi.org/10.1300/J041v18n02_03

The Night Ministry

Magdalene House Chicago

El Rescate Transitional Living Facility

Family Rescue, Inc.

2021-2022       Principal Investigator, “The effectiveness of an occupational therapy self-management intervention for people experiencing chronic pain,” Midwestern College of Health Sciences Research Facilitation Grant; $3126.75

2018-2019       Principal Investigator, “An occupational therapy work-self-efficacy intervention for transitionally housed LGBTQ+ young people,” Midwestern College of Health Sciences Research Facilitation Grant; $4730.67

UNFUNDED

2023-Present   Principal Investigator, “Workplace experiences of occupational therapy practitioners in recovery from addiction/substance use,” Midwestern Occupational Therapy Program

2018-2021      Principal Investigator, “Occupational therapy student perceptions of the contribution of the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) to doctoral education and critical reasoning for practice,” Midwestern Occupational Therapy Program

2018-Present   Principal Investigator, “Development of an evaluative system for holistic admissions in an occupational therapy doctorate program,” Midwestern Occupational Therapy Program

2023, March    Pearson Excellence in Higher Education Award for Outstanding Integration of DEI, Pearson

2020-22           Doctoral Capstone Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award, Midwestern University, Occupational Therapy Program