Dominic Denning | Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences

Graduate Student

B.A., 2018, University of Nevada Reno

Tobin 620

he/him/his

Name Pronunciation

ddenning@umass.edu

Advisor:

Katherine L. Dixon-Gordon

Laboratory Website:

Clinical Affective Science Laboratory (CASL)

Research Area(s):

Clinical Psychology

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Research

Dominic's program of research focuses on the course, phenomenology, treatment/prevention, and assessment of self-damaging behavior (e.g., suicide, nonsuicidal self-injury, disordered eating), difficulties regulating emotions, and borderline personality disorder in understudied and underserved populations (i.e., men & LGBTQIA+).

Teaching

Teaching Assistant | Methods of Inquiry in Psychology (Psych 241) - Autum 2022

Service

Member | Admissions Committee, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program (2023 - )

Student Representative | Infrastructure/Leadership Committee, Personality and Personality Disorder Special Interest Group, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (2023 - )

Member | Diversity Committee, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst (2022 - )

Mentor | Undergraduate Student Mentor, Diversity Committee, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences

Mentor | Stonewall Center, University of Massachusetts Amherst (2022)

Statement of Purpose Editor | Application Statement Feedback Program (2022)

Publications

PEER REVIEWED ARTICLES

12. Denning, D.M., Gebhardt, E.S., Alvarez, J.C., DeFontes, C.G., & Brown, T.A. (In Press). Confirmatory factor analysis and measurement invariance for the emotion regulation questionnaire (ERQ) in sexual minority adults. Journal of Emotion and Psychopathology.

11. Waite, E.E., Raudales, A.M., Newberger, N.G., Ferguson, J.J., Denning, D.M., Huffman, S., Weiss, N.H., & Dixon-Gordon, K.L. (2024). Longitudinal examination of borderline personality disorder symptoms and drug use: The influence of negative and positive emotion dysregulation. Personality and Mental Health. Link

10. Alvarez, J.C., Denning, D.M., Castro Lebron, J., Ho, V., Chen, S., & Brown, T.A. (2024). Differential effects of community involvement on eating disorder prevention outcomes in sexual minority men. Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention. Link

9. Denning, D.M., DeFontes, C.G., Lawrence, E.R., Waite, E.E., & Dixon-Gordon, K.L. (2023). Difficulties in interpersonal regulation of emotion in relation to disordered eating. Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention. Link

8. Denning, D.M., Ciotti, V., Gioia, A., Viranda, T., Reilly, E.E., Berner, L.A., Velkoff, E.A., Anderson, L.K., Kaye, W.H., Wierenga, C.E., & Brown, T.A. (2023). Effects of borderline personality disorder symptoms on dialectical behavior therapy treatment outcomes for eating disorders. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, & Treatment. Link

7. Shepherd, B.F., Denning, D.M., Elbe, C.I., Maki, J.L., & Brochu, P.M. (2023). Status, sexual capital, and intraminority body stigma in a size-diverse sample of gay men. Body Image. Link

6. Denning, D.M., DeBendetto, A.M., Wierenga, C.E., Kaye, W.H., Anderson, L.K., & Brown, T.A. (2023). Emotion regulation difficulties in partially hospitalized sexual minority patients with eating disorders. Journal of Emotion and Psychopathology. Link

5. Perry, T.R., Denning, D.M., Wierenga, C.E., Kaye, W.H., & Brown, T.A., (2023). The role of emotion dysregulation in problematic exercise in those with eating disorders. Journal of Emotion and Psychopathology. Link

4. Denning, D.M., Perry, T.R., Reilly, E.E., Berner, L.A., Velkoff, E.A., Kaye, W.H., Wierenga, C.E., & Brown, T.A. (2022). Associations of suicide risk with emotional reactivity, dysregulation, and eating disorder treatment outcomes. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior. Link

3. Denning, D.M., Newlands, R., Bennet, N. & Benuto, L.T. (2022). Sexual education experience and curriculum recommendations from female college student survivors of sexual violence: A mixed methods study. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, & Trauma. Link

2. Denning, D.M., Newlands, R.T., Gonzales, A., & Benuto, L.T. (in press). Borderline personality disorder symptoms in a community sample of sexually and gender diverse adults. Journal of Personality Disorders. Link

1. Newlands, R.T., Denning, D.M., Massey, K.M., & Benuto, L.T. (2022). Safe dating in the digital era: Protective behavioral strategies in dating behaviors facilitated by dating applications. Violence and Victims. Link

INVITED BOOK CHAPTERS

2. Denning, D.M., Alvarez, J.C., Castro Lebron, J., Gebhardt, E., & Brown, T.A. (In Press). Counseling men with eating disorders. In Keitel, M., Park-Taylor, J., & Cummings, M.P. (Ed.), An intersectional approach to counseling individuals with eating disorders. Information Age Publishing.

1. Newlands, R.T., Brito, J., & Denning, D.M. (2020). Cultural considerations in the treatment of sexual dysfunction. In Benuto, L.T., Gonzalez, F., & Singer, J. (Ed.), Handbook of cultural factors in behavioral health: A guide for the helping professional (pp. 345–361). Springer, Cham. Link

INTERVENTION MANUALS

1. Brown, T.A., & Denning, D.M. (2020). Mind over media: Facilitator guide 2-session version. Unpublished manuscript, College of Health Sciences, University of California, San Diego.

Presentations

CHAIRED TALKS

1. Denning, D.M., & Alvarez, J.C. (co-Chairs), Katz, B.W., Kinkel-Ram, S.S., Cobian Aguilar, R., & Victor, S.E. (2023, November). Effects of interpersonal minority stressors on suicide and nonsuicidal self-injury: An examination across sexual, gender, and racial minority groups. Symposium presented at the 57th annual convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Seattle, WA.

CONFERENCE TALKS

6. Brown, T.A., Gebhardt, E., Denmark, K., Billman, M., & Denning, D.M. (2023, September). Longitudinal associations between minority stressors and eating pathology symptoms in a diverse sample of sexual minority adults. Paper presented at the 29th annual convention for the Eating Disorder Research Society, Boston, MA.

5. Brown, T.A., Denning, D.M., Billman, M., Denmark, K., & Gebhardt, E.S. (2023, November). Intraminority stressors prospectively predict muscle building and cognitive restraint in sexual minority men. In J.C. Alvarez & T.A. Brown (co-Chairs), Pressures from within: Associations between intraminority gay community stress and mental health in sexual minority men. Symposium presented at the 57th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Seattle, WA.

4. Denning, D.M., Alvarez, J.C., & Brown, T.A. (2023, November). Associations between intraminority stress and suicide risk in sexual minority men. In J.C. Alvarez & T.A. Brown (co-Chairs), Pressures from within: Associations between intraminority gay community stress and mental health in sexual minority men. Symposium presented at the 57th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Seattle, WA.

3. Shepherd, B.F., Denning, D.M., Elbe, C.I., Maki, J.L., & Brochu, P.M. (2023, November). Status, community involvement, and intraminority body stigma in a size-diverse sample of gay men. In S. Kinkel-Ram (Chair), Weight bias and disordered eating among sexual and gender minority individuals. Symposium presented at the 57th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Seattle, WA.

2. Huffman, S., Denning, D.M., Waite, E.E., & Dixon-Gordon, K.L. (2023, April). Predicting nonsuicidal self-injury over time: The effects of race and emotion regulation strategies. Speed talk presented at the annual convention of the North American Society for the Study of Personality Disorders, Waltham, MA.

1. Benuto, L.T., Denning, D.M., & Newlands, R. (2019, April). Legal loopholes: Rape and sexual assault in college students. In R. Newlands & L.T. Benuto (co-chairs), The role of personality in the victimization, perpetration, and prevention of sexual and intimate partner violence. Symposium presented at the 99th annual convention of the Western Psychological Association, Pasadena, CA.

CONFERENCE POSTERS

31. Castro Leborn, J., Denning, D.M., & Brown, T.A. (2024, May). The role of interpersonal emotion regulation difficulties in depression and anxiety symptoms in sexual minority adults. Poster presented at the 36th annual convention for the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.

30. Frietchen, R.E., Billman Miller, M.G., Denning, D.M., Smith, A.R., & Brown, T.A. (2024, May). Psychometric evaluation of the multi-dimensional assessment of interoceptive awareness-2 (MAIA-2) in a sample of transgender and gender nonconforming adults. Poster presented at the 36th annual convention for the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.

29. Billman Miller, M.G., Denning, D.M., Frietchen, R.E., Smith, A.R., & Brown, T.A. (2024, May). Validation of the multidimensional assessment of interoceptive awareness (MAIA-2) in a sample of sexual minority adults. Poster presented at the 36th annual convention for the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.

28. DeFontes, C.G., Denning, D.M., & Dixon-Gordon, K.L. (2023, November). Do nonsuicidal self-injurious thoughts and behaviors respond to 6-week interventions? Poster presented to the Personality and Personality Disorder Special Interest Group at the 57th annual convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Seattle, WA.

27. Denning, D.M., DeFontes, C.G., Huffman, S., & Dixon-Gordon, K.L. (2023, November). Differential efficacy of 6-weeks of skills training on suicidal thoughts. Poster presented to the Personality and Personality Disorder Special Interest Group at the 57th annual convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Seattle, WA.

26. Lawrence, E.R., Waite, E.E., Haliczer, L.A., DeFenotes, C.G., Denning, D.M., Ajwani, H., & Dixon-Gordon, K.L. (2023, November). Emotional reactivity in borderline personality disorder: the role of suppression. Poster presented at the 57th annual convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Seattle, WA.

25. Huffman, S.H., Tilly, S.C., DeFontes, C.G., Denning, D.M., & Dixon-Gordon, K.L. (2023, November). The dynamic relationship between interpersonal emotion regulation and borderline personality disorder symptoms during three brief interventions. Poster presented at the 57th annual convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Seattle, WA.

24. DeFontes, C.G., Denning, D.M., Huffman, S., Mukherjee, R., & Dixon-Gordon, K.L. (2023, November). Associations of suicide risk with sexual minority outness. Poster presented at the 57th annual convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Seattle, WA.

23. Denning, D.M., DeFontes, C.G., Gaddy, E.L., Lawrence, E.R., & Dixon-Gordon, K.L. (2023, November). Associations of outness with nonsuicidal self-injury profiles in sexual minority populations. Poster presented at the 57th annual convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Seattle, WA.

22. Denning, D.M., Alvarez, J.C., & Brown, T.A. (2023, November). Associations between intraminority stress and suicide subgroups. Poster presented at the 57th annual convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Seattle, WA.

21. Waite, E.E., Denning, D.M., Schoenfeld, E., Isbell, L.M., Kalmakis, K., Soares III, W.E., & Dixon-Gordon, K.L. (2023, April). Explicit and implicit biases towards patients with borderline personality disorder and self-harm behaviors in a sample of emergency department providers. Poster presented at the annual convention of the North American Society for the Study of Personality Disorders, Waltham, MA.

20. Denning, D.M., Ciotti, V., Gioia, A., Viranda, T., Reilly, E.E., Berner, L.A., Velkoff, E.A., Anderson, L.K., Kaye, W.H., Wierenga, C.E., & Brown, T.A. (2023, April). Effects of borderline personality disorder symptoms on disordered eating behaviors during partial hospitalization. Poster presented at the annual convention of the North American Society for the Study of Personality Disorders, Waltham, MA.

19. Nebel-Schwalm, M.S., Denning, D.M., & Brown, T.A. (2023, May). Examining the effects of sociocultural pressures and psychological flexibility on eating and body disturbance in men. Poster presented at the annual convention of the International Conference on Eating Disorders. Washington, DC.

18. Denmark, K., Denning, D.M., & Brown, T.A. (2022, November). Associations between negative body talk and pathological eating in men. Poster presented at the Eating Disorder and Eating Behavior Special Interest Group at the 56th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York, NY.

17. Denning, D.M., Ciotti, V., Gioia, A., Viranda, T., Reilly, E.E., Berner, L.A., Velkoff, E.A., Anderson, L.K., Kaye, W.H., Wierenga, C.E., & Brown, T.A. (2022, November). Effects of borderline personality disorder symptoms on eating disorder treatment outcomes. Poster presented at the Eating Disorder and Eating Behavior Special Interest Group at the 56th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York, NY.

16. Yogaratnam, A., Bowers, T., Denmark, K., Denning, D.M., & Brown, T.A. (2022, November). Examining the relation between negative affect, body dissatisfaction and sexual orientation in men. Poster presented at the 56th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York, NY.

15. Chen, S., Kang, N., Lusich, R., Denning, D.M., & Brown, T.A. (2022, November). Racial differences in body image and eating disorder symptoms in young men. Poster presented at the 56th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York, NY.

14. Chen, J., Denning, D.M., Alvarez, J., & Brown, T.A. (2022, September). Community involvement as a predictor of appearance internalization pressures in sexual minority men. Poster presented at the 28th annual convention of the Eating Disorders Research Society, Philadelphia, PA.

13. Brown, T.A., Denning, D.M., Perry, T.R., Bohrer, B.K. (2022, September). Preliminary evaluation of the eating pathology symptoms inventory – clinician rated version in a sample of body dissatisfied men. Poster presented at the 28th annual convention of the Eating Disorders Research Society, Philadelphia, PA.

12. Ho, V., Chen, S., Denning, D.M., & Brown, T.A. (2022, April). LGBTQ+ community involvement moderates prevention outcomes for eating disorders in gay men. Poster presented at the 102nd annual convention of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR.

11. Kung, A., Denning, D.M., Wierenga, C.E., Kaye, W.H., & Brown, T.A. (2021, November). The relationship between dialectical behavior therapy skills use and eating disorder outcomes during and after treatment. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Obesity and Eating Disorder Special Interest Group at the 55th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New Orleans, LA. Held virtually due to SARS-CoV-2.

10. Jarjour, M., Nguyen, V., Denning, D.M., Wierenga, C.E., Kaye, W.H., & Brown, T.A. (2021, November). Partial hospitalization treatment outcomes for sexually and gender diverse adolescents and adults with eating disorders. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Sexual and Gender Minority Special Interest Group at the 55th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New Orleans, LA. Held virtually due to SARS-CoV-2.

9. Perry, T.R., Denning, D.M., Wierenga, C.E., Kaye, W.H., & Brown, T.A. (2021, November). Emotion regulation and excessive and compulsive exercise in eating disorders across treatment. Poster presented at the 55th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New Orleans, LA. Held virtually due to SARS-CoV-2.

8. Denning, D.M., Newlands, R., & Benuto, L.T. (2021, November). The relationship between minority stress exposure and borderline personality disorder symptoms: The mediating role of distress tolerance. Poster presented at the 55th annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New Orleans, LA. Held virtually due to SARS-CoV-2.

7. Denning, D.M., Newlands, R., & Benuto, L.T. (2021, April). The effect of minority stress on borderline personality disorder: A mediational model for general psychiatric processes. Poster presented at the 101st annual convention of the Western Psychological Association. Held virtually due to SARS-CoV-2.

6. Denning, D.M., Newlands, R., & Benuto, L.T. (2020, October). Sexual orientation and borderline personality traits. Poster presented at the 100th annual convention of the Western Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA. Held virtually due to SARS-CoV-2.

5. Newlands, R., Casas, J., Denning, D.M., Benuto, L.T., & Berthelot, E. (2019, November). Dating safely in the digital era. Poster presented at the 75th annual convention of the American Society of Criminology, San Francisco, CA.

4. Gonzales, A., Denning, D.M., Newlands, R., & Benuto, L.T. (2019, May). Borderline personality disorder in sexual minorities. Poster presented at the Nevada Undergraduate Research Symposium, Reno, NV.

3. Denning, D.M., Newlands, R., & Benuto, L.T. (2019, May). Technology facilitated dating: An investigation of dating behavior in female college students. Poster presented at the 28th annual convention of the Nevada Psychological Association, Reno, NV.

2. Denning, D.M., Newlands, R., & Benuto, L.T. (2019, April). Two days to triumph: Evaluating the effectiveness of the two-day DBT for IPV skills group. Poster presented at the 99th annual convention of the Western Psychological Association, Pasadena, CA.

1. Denning, D.M., Newlands, R., Casas, J., & Benuto, L.T. (2019, April). Antiquated abstinence: college students reflect on sexual education. Poster presented at the 99th annual convention of the Western Psychological Association, Pasadena, CA.

Collaborators

Tiffany A. Brown (Auburn University)

Katherine L. Dixon-Gordon (University of Massachusetts Amherst)

Sarah E. Victor (Texas Tech University)

Kara A. Christensen Pacella (University of Nevada Las Vegas)

Biography

Dominic is a graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program at University of Massachusetts Amherst, under the mentorship of Dr. Katherine Dixon-Gordon. Prior to attending graduate school, Dom worked as the research coordinator for Dr. Tiffany Brown at University of California San Diego Eating Disorder Center for Treatment and Research. He also worked in an inpatient hospitalization program for adolescents, providing DBT services and an outpatient interventional psychiatry practice delivering rTMS, dTMS and esketamine treatments.

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