Academic Writing

Book Chapters

Zhang, A., & Zebrack, B. (2024). Psychosocial Interventions to Facilitate Disease Management in Adolescents and Young Adults. In N. Schneiderman (Ed.) (2024) APA Handbook of Health Psychology. American Psychological Association Press.


APA Press Link; Amazon Link

Zhang, A., & Franklin, C. (2022). Solution-focused Therapy. In K. Corcoran, & A. R. Roberts (Eds.) (2022) Social Workers’ Desk Reference, (4th Edition), New York: Oxford University Press.


Oxford Press Link; Amazon Link;

Zhang, A., Franklin, C., & Hopson, L. (2020). Family systems. In C. Jordan, & C. Franklin (Eds.) (2019) Clinical Assessment for Social Workers, (5th Edition), New York: Oxford University Press.

Zhang, A., & Franklin, C. (2020). Quantitative assessment methods. In C. Jordan, & C. Franklin (Eds.) (2019) Clinical Assessment for Social Workers, (5th Edition), New York: Oxford University Press.


Oxford Press Link; Amazon Link

Franklin, C., Zhang, A., Bolton, K., & Yates, H. T. (2022). Solution-focused couple therapy. In J L Lebow & D K Snyder (Eds.) (2022) Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy (6th Edition), New York: The Guilford Press


Gilford Press Link; Amazon Link;

Franklin, C., & Zhang, A. (2016). Quantitative assessment methods. In C. Jordan, & C. Franklin (Eds.) (2016) Clinical Assessment for Social Workers, (4th Edition), New York: Oxford University Press.

Franklin, C., Hopson, L., Guo, Y., & Zhang, A. (2016). Family systems. In C. Jordan, & C. Franklin (Eds.) (2016) Clinical Assessment for Social Workers, (4th Edition), New York: Oxford University Press.


I also served as the editorial assistant coordinating for all chapter authors in supporting the book editors, i.e., Catheleen Jordan and Cynthia Franklin


[Note that a new edition of the book is available]

Selected Journal Articles

You can request an author copy of the full text via my ResearchGate.

A full list of publications is in my Curriculum Vitae

Zhang, A., DuVall, A. S., Franklin, C., & Kim, J. S. (2024). Tailoring solution-focused brief therapy for adolescents and young adults with cancer: A qualitative investigation. Clinical Social Work Journal, 51, 354–364, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-023-00883-1 

Abstract

Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is an empirically-supported psychotherapeutic intervention in treating mental health issues in the general population. When being delivered to adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer, specific techniques and skills of SFBT need to be tailored to meet the unique bio-psycho-social challenges of the AYA cancer population. Using a patient-centered approach, our team interviewed 14 AYAs with cancer who received SFBT for cancer (SFBT-C) to inform the tailoring and refinement of the existing SFBT intervention specifically for the AYA cancer population. Themes emerged within three broad categories that informed the tailoring and refinement of SFBT for AYAs with cancer, i.e., general experiences, strengths, and weaknesses of SFBT-C. AYAs with cancer found SFBT-C overall positively different from other approaches. Strengths include SFBT-C’s collaborative nature, using positive emotion as an important change mechanism, and a good balance between being relevant to cancer and not focusing too much on their cancer. Areas of improvement include assignment flexibility and different strategies to address resistance. The findings of this paper significantly inform the delivery of SFBT-C to AYAs with cancer using patient-centered feedback and input.

Zhang. A., Weaver, A., Walling, E., Zebrack, B., *Levin, N. J., Stuchell, B., & Himle, J. (2022). Evaluating an engaging and coach-assisted online cognitive behavioral therapy for depression among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: A pilot feasibility trial. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2021.2011530 

Abstract

Objectives: Technology-assisted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (tCBT) has significant potentials to provide engaging and accessible depression treatment for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) coping with cancer. This study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an engaging and tailorable tCBT – Mind Your Total Health (MYTH) – for AYA cancer survivors’ depression. Methods: Seventeen AYAs diagnosed with cancer were randomly assigned to either the intervention (MYTH) or control group. The intervention group (n = 10) received eight weekly 30–35 minutes coach-assisted tCBT (MYTH), while the control group (n = 7) received active control, BeatingtheBlues (BtB). Results: Eight out of ten participants in the MYTH group completed at least six out of eight sessions, suggesting strong feasibility (80% completion rate) among AYAs with cancer. Efficacy outcomes indicated that participants in the MYTH group reported significant pre- and post-treatment reduction in depression, t(9) = 5.25, p < 0.001, and anxiety, t(9)=5.07, p < 0.001. Notably, participants in the MYTH group reported significantly lower post-treatment depression than participants in the BtB group, t(15) = 2.40, p < 0.05. The between-group difference reflected a significant between-group treatment effect size, d = 1.12, p < 0.05. Discussion: This engaging, tailorable, and coach-assisted tCBT intervention is promising in alleviating depression and anxiety among AYA cancer survivors. Future research needs to include larger sample size and a more diverse patient population.

Zhang, A., Ji, Q. Y., Currin-McCulloch, J., Franklin, C., Solomon, P., Li, Y., … Chen, Y. (2018). The effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy for psychological distress among Chinese parents of children with a cancer diagnosis: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Supportive Care in Cancer, 26(8), 2901-2910. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4141-1 

Abstract

Purpose. Given the critical role of parental care for pediatric cancer patients, this pilot study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of a hospital-based solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) intervention for reducing psychological distress among parents of pediatric cancer patients in China. Differences between treatment and active control (AC) groups were assessed on dimensions of psychological distress. Parents’ level of hope was also assessed. Methods. Participants (N = 44) were randomly assigned to SFBT or AC. Parents received four sessions of SFBT twice a week delivered by graduate-level hospital social workers. Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured change in distress (depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms) of parents as well as their level of hope. Results. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated the SFBT group had better outcomes than the AC group on overall distress of somatic, anxiety, depression symptoms and level of hope. Within- and between-group treatment effects reported significantly greater effect of the SFBT group than of the AC group. Conclusions. Considering the inherent limits of a pilot feasibility study, results suggest that SFBT is a feasible, culturally compatible, and promising intervention for alleviating distress among Chinese parents of children with cancer. Additional comprehensive trials are needed to draw more definitive conclusions.

Zhang, A., Wang, K., Zebrack, B., *Tan, C. Y., Walling, E., & Chugh, R. (2021). Psychosocial, behavioral, and supportive interventions for pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 160, 103291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103291 

Abstract

Background. Pediatric, adolescent, and young adult (PAYA) cancer survivors suffer from multiple domains of adverse psychosocial and behavioral outcomes during and after their cancer treatment. This study conducted a systematic review and metaanalysis of psychosocial, behavioral, and supportive interventions for PAYA cancer survivors. Methods. We searched 11 electronic databases, 4 professional websites, and manual search of reference lists in existing reviews. We selected randomized controlled trials and controlled trials without randomization focusing on PAYA cancer survivors across six outcome domains. Results. We included 61 studies (4,402 participants) published between 1987 and 2020. Overall risk of bias across studies was low. We identified an overall moderate and statistically significant treatment effect size for PAYA cancer survivors across six outcome domains. Conclusion. Psychosocial, behavioral, and supportive interventions were overall effective for PAYA cancer survivors. However, interventions were not effective for certain outcome domains, and less effective among AYA versus pediatric cancer survivors.


Franklin, C., Zhang, A., Froerer, A., & Shannon, J. (2016). Solution-focused brief therapy: A systematic review and meta-summary of process research. Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy, 43(1), 16-30. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12193 


Abstract

This article presents a systematic review of the process research on solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT). We searched published and unpublished studies in English across five databases, five major journals, two book chapters, and four websites to locate studies that investigate why and how SFBT works. Thirty-three studies that used various research methods were located and included for further analysis using a meta-summary approach. The findings supported the significance of the co-construction process within SFBT and the effects of specific types of SFBT techniques. The most empirical support was found for the strength-oriented techniques in comparison to the other techniques and for the co-construction of meaning. Current studies require replications with larger samples and experimental designs that study SFBT process in relationship to outcomes.