Dominican-born psychologist to conduct research study post Tropical Storm-Erika

Tavernier will be conducting her research in Dominica
Tavernier will be conducting her research in Dominica

Dr. Royette Tavernier of Grand Bay, who earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from Brock University in Canada and is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Northwestern University in the United States, is to conduct a research study to assess stress, coping, health, and resilience among a sample of youth in Dominica, following Tropical Storm-Erika.

Tavernier’s research focuses on sleep and psychosocial functioning among youth. Her research team will recruit both high school and college students in order to determine how both groups of students have been adjusting psychologically since the storm.

“Following the unfortunate event of Tropical Storm Erika, many efforts have focussed on providing physical needs such as food, clothing, and shelter to the people of Dominica. While efforts to restore these basic physical needs are a top priority, it is also important to determine the psychological needs of our youth,” stated Tavernier.

According to Tavernier, “I decided to conduct this research study with high school and college students because past research indicates that adolescence and young (emerging) adulthood are sensitive age periods for emotional functioning. In other words, how individuals function psychologically during this age period can have long-lasting implications for future wellbeing. Importantly, this also means that we can intervene during this age period to help influence positive long-term wellbeing.”

The project will be a two-part study. First, students will complete a survey/questionnaire, which asks questions that measure depression, stress, worry, and sleep problems; as well as questions relating to how students remember experiencing the storm. The survey also will ask questions about positive emotional functioning such as feelings of hope, resilience and psychological growth. Second, a smaller group of students will be asked to participate in an interview. The interview will give students an opportunity to provide further details about how their lives have been impacted by the storm and the different ways that youth have been coping with the experience.

Tavernier and her research team hope that students who receive an invitation to participate in the research study will take the opportunity to be a part of the project. “The first step towards helping our young people cope with traumatic events like Tropical Storm-Erika is to understand how students feel, think, and behave, and that information can only come from the young people themselves.”

Students who are under the age of 18 years will need permission from their parents to take part in the research study. Tavernier and her research team hope that parents will support their children in taking part in the research study and stated that, “the information that we gather from the study will be used to implement programs to help young people cope with future events that may cause significant stress in their lives.” The research study will provide young people with the opportunity to reflect on different aspects of their lives and to express themselves within a safe and confidential environment.

The research project has received approval from the Ministry of Education, Government of Dominica; the Institutional Review Board at Northwestern University (Study #: STU00202342); and the two participating institutions where the data collection will take place (the names of the institutions have been left out in order to protect the privacy of the students).

More information about the research study can be found on the project’s website: Dominica Strong Research Study and the project’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dominicastrongresearchstudy

Queries about the study should be directed to the lead researcher, Dr. Royette Tavernier at: [email protected].

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29 Comments

  1. January 25, 2016

    Some of the comments reminds me of the words of Dr. King. “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity”. People read carefully before making comments and let us learn to uplift our own. Too often we are quick to denigrate others instead of understanding their point of view and making relevant comments. Congratulation to Dr. Tavernier and good luck with your research and thanks for choosing Dominica. You have a lot candidates on this thread.

  2. dominican abroad
    January 25, 2016

    Congratulaton Excellent for Dominica not only for Grand Bay , but Dominic a on a whole we need , Good news.
    best wishes
    and God blessing

  3. January 25, 2016

    Miss You`re Hired!

  4. Thinker
    January 25, 2016

    Every Qualified Psychologist is a Dr in field Francisco Etienne-Dodds Telemacque, she is not a Psychiatrist who informs on medication but a Psychologist she studies behaviour of the mind and the impact of trauma etc…what is your point anyway….

    Congratulate her…we need a bit more specialist like her in Dominica…..

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      January 25, 2016

      Again my friend a psychologist with a PhD is not a medical doctor: Let’s take Thomson Fountain as an example, he is an economist with a doctorial degree; a PhD. hence he is allowed to write his name thus Dr. Thomson Fountain.

      Nevertheless, I hope if you ever have a medical issue you would not insists that Fountain diagnosed and treat you, because he is not an “MD.,” He is not a medical doctor, he is not a physician okay! You can earn a PhD in philosophy, that won’t make you a medical doctor, by now I am sure you understand what I am saying. So, I erred; however, that does not mean I am taking away anything from her, because one way or the other degrees are not easily obtained, or let’s get local, and say come by.

      I’ve been there, done that, so I know; that is why I have every respect for her intelligence, it must be understood she cannot treat any psychological problems in here profession is more sitting and listening to the mentally ill person talk!

      • Duncekyat
        January 26, 2016

        Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque, I worry about you. You are either short a few marbles, or have too many for your own good. Either way, you are over-due for an adjustment. Good luck, Sir!

  5. Just 4 laughs.
    January 25, 2016

    from child birth SMH Cultural Queen U sound like the minister/Rep :-D

  6. BLACKJACK
    January 25, 2016

    great initiative Dr…. those that gone before you never saw it fit to try to make any contribution to home, but rather chastise any effort you and any others who try to bring a difference. for those that think they may know better or more informed of that arena, why not work together with her so we could atleast have a better society. It hurt to see how one can be trying in life and others are just so negative. let’s work together.. :!:

  7. January 25, 2016

    Francisco you tooooooo smart….thats your problem and that makes you foolish. the title says “Dominican-born psychologist to conduct research study post Tropical Storm-Erika”……”psychologist and not psychiatrists! as you indicating. Control you ego my friend.

  8. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    January 25, 2016

    Is this lady actually a psychiatrist; defined as a physician who specializes in psychiatry, which is a branch of health science which deals with the study, treatments, and prevention of mental disorders.

    Psychology on the other hand is the science dealing with the mind, and mental processes, especially in relation to human; and animal behavior. Because someone has a PhD, and is called doctor; that does not qualify them as a physician, there is a difference in an M.D. (medical doctor), and a Dr. of psychology. This lady is not a medical doctor by any stretch of ones imagination; and should not be classified as a psychiatrists!

    Now; I agree she might be qualified to counsel mentality ill people, however she cannot prescribe any form of medication, she would have to refer the mentally ill person to a medical doctor, a real physician who would asses, and diagnose the patient, then prescribe some psychiatric medication.

    Nevertheless, perhaps anybody with the title Dr. even in…

    • Not too wise
      January 25, 2016

      I will be charitable and assume you did not read the article before writing your irrelevant comments. I don’t want to believe you read it and did not understand anything you read.

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        January 25, 2016

        “psychologist”

        Okay, granted I erred, I also give you thumbs up number one is from me; but I still do not understand what kind of research she intends to do. psychologists study people’s behavior, motivations, thoughts and feelings, and help them overcome or control their problems.

        As a psychologist, you would specialize in a particular area such as clinical psychology, or educational psychology.

        If you would enjoy helping people with psychological difficulties and have excellent communication and listening skills, this could be an ideal job for you.

        To work as a psychologist one need to complete a three-year degree in psychology, and a three-year postgraduate qualification which relates to your chosen specialism.

      • January 25, 2016

        I think you’re being a little too charitable.

      • DeJoker
        January 25, 2016

        This is what happens when you’re determined to be negative about every single thing. The headline alone is totally contradictory to what he thinks the article is talking about

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        January 25, 2016

        Steve to error is to be human; I am human too you know!

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      January 25, 2016

      Nevertheless, perhaps anybody with the title Dr. even in… divinity or let’s say agriculture or dog catching are allowed to practice medicine in Dominica where all things are unequal oui!

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhaahah!

      Some general practitioners does not even attempt to treat mental issues because that is a special field of medicine, so I do see how a psychologist who is not a medical doctor would be allowed to treat someone with mental issues in any sane country.

      • P
        January 25, 2016

        Please do not comment further. Truth is for persons who understand social sciences you seem quite ignorant. And I am being VERY generous!!

      • River Street
        January 26, 2016

        Francisco you need a psychiatrist. Stop googling”stuff” and come here playing smart (but not being clever).

    • Skats
      January 25, 2016

      Um Papi –where in the article did u see the mention of her as a psychiatrist ?? You took ur time in crafting this comment but apparently didn’t take ur time to READ the damn article — now did u ? Dr. Before her name is simply because she holds a Ph.D. — no one claims she’s a physician and if you had read the damn article U’d realize that she is simply conducting a RESEARCH study :cry: SMFh

    • Nature island girl
      January 25, 2016

      Good grief Francisco, you make things more difficult than they are. I think you need to be part of her study. Please go sign up!

    • Weh
      January 26, 2016

      Weh! Ou aiment parlez twop. Papamete. It doesn’t hurt to be quiet. You may actually convince us that you are not an idiot.

    • Ideal
      January 26, 2016

      Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque, where is your contribution to Dominica? I guess just talking nonsense is what you can give us. You are so highly educated (you think) we need more from you, if not you should just clam up and give thanks to those who can contribute,

  9. Rose
    January 25, 2016

    well needed research. Let’s all come on board to give her our support.

  10. nicole
    January 25, 2016

    congrats my dear. I always knew you could do it. Good luck with the research project.

  11. Peace
    January 25, 2016

    This is amazing. So often we do not realise the trauma that is caused by events like these. Good luck with the study, Dr. Tavenier.

  12. Cultural Queen
    January 25, 2016

    Very bright and promising young lady from child birth. Very determined and a go-getter. We the people of Grand Bay are very proud of you and you’re such an example to those coming after you. We wish you luck in your endeavours. Well done Ms. Tavernier.

  13. bubbleboyrismality
    January 25, 2016

    That’s very good! because since hurricane David past I’m unable to sleep well. So I’d like to be psycho analyzed for post hurricane David syndrome (PHDS).

    • fun&frolic
      January 26, 2016

      LOL Bubbleboy. 30 plus years you can’t get a good sleep, yet you’re alive and thriving. I guess the conclusion to your story is that sleep is over rated. Chabe zyew ouvert! :mrgreen:

      • Silver Grass
        January 26, 2016

        Lol…some people suffer for longer periods. But not enough sleep in 30 years? He’d be a good night watchman.

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