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Department of Psychology

Faculty

Timothy D. Nelson   
Office: 319 Burnett Hall
(402) 472-7707
tnelson3@unl.edu

Dr. Nelson received his Ph.D. in clinical child psychology from the University of Kansas in 2008 following a clinical internship at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. He subsequently completed his post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric psychology in the Stanford University School of Medicine before joining the UNL faculty in 2009.

Dr. Nelson's research interests are in pediatric psychology. Specifically, his work focuses on three main areas of inquiry: (1) examining psychosocial factors affecting pediatric health behaviors (e.g., physical activity) and, ultimately, health outcomes for children and adolescents; (2) developing, evaluating, and disseminating promising interventions to improve pediatric health; and (3) methodological considerations in child health research. In his recent work, he has pursued these interests by studying a variety of chronic pediatric conditions, including obesity, chronic headache, and cancer.

Dr. Nelson's teaching interests are in clinical and clinical child psychology. He anticipates teaching courses in clinical assessment, child psychopathology, abnormal psychology, and child treatment.

 

Representative Publications

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

Hershey, A. D., Powers, S. W., Nelson, T. D., Kabbouche, M. A., Winner, P., Linder, S., et al. (2009). Obesity in the pediatric headache population: A multi-center study. Headache, 49, 170-177.

Nelson, T. D., Benson, E. R., & Jensen, C. (2009). Negative attitudes toward physical activity: Measurement and role in predicting physical activity among preadolescents. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. Advance Access published on May 15, 2009.

Steele, R. G., Legerski, J. P., Nelson, T. D., & Phipps, S. (2009). The anger expression scale for children: Initial validation among healthy children and children with cancer. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 34, 51-62.

Cole, B. P., Nelson, T. D., & Steele, R. G. (2008). Effectiveness of a peer-based HIV prevention program: The BASE program. Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention in Children and Youth, 9, 84-96.

Nelson, T. D., Aylward, B. S., & Steele, R. G. (2008). Structural equation modeling in pediatric psychology: Overview and review of applications. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 33, 679-687.

Nelson, T. D., Mashunkashey, J. O., Mitchell, M. C., Benson, E. R., Vernberg, E. M., & Roberts, M.C. (2008). Description of exemplar cases in the Intensive Mental Health Program: Illustration of application of the therapeutic model. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 17, 206-218.

Nelson, T. D., & Steele, R. G. (2008). Influences on practitioner treatment selection: Best research evidence and other considerations. Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research, 35, 170-178.

Twemlow, S. W., Biggs, B. K., Nelson, T. D., Vernberg, E. M., & Fonagy, P. (2008). Effects of participation in a martial arts based antibullying program in elementary schools. Psychology in the Schools, 45, 947-959.

Nelson, T. D., & Steele, R. G. (2007). Predictors of mental health practitioner use of evidence-based practices. Administrative Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 34, 319-340.

Steele, R. G., Nelson, T. D., & Cole, B. P. (2007). The psychosocial adjustment of children and adolescents with HIV: Review from a socio-ecological perspective. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 28, 58-69.

Nelson, T. D., & Steele, R. G. (2006). Beyond efficacy and effectiveness: A multifaceted approach to treatment evaluation. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 37, 389-397.

Nelson, T. D., Steele, R. G., & Mize, J. A. (2006). Practitioner attitudes toward evidence-based practice: Themes and challenges. Administrative Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 33, 398-409.

Books Or Chapters Published

Nelson, T. D., & Steele, R. G. (in press). Evidence-based practice in pediatric psychology. In M. C. Roberts & R. G. Steele (Eds.), Handbook of pediatric psychology (4th ed.). New York: Guilford.

Smith-Boydston, J. M., & Nelson, T. D. (2008). Adoption of evidence-based treatments in community settings: Obstacles and opportunities. In R.G. Steele, D. Elkin, & M.C. Roberts (Eds.), Handbook of evidence-based therapies for children and adolescents: Bridging science and practice (pp. 521-535). New York: Springer.

Steele, R. G., Nelson, J. M., & Nelson, T. D. (2008). Methodological issues in the evaluation of evidence-based therapies. In R.G. Steele, D. Elkin, & M.C. Roberts (Eds.), Handbook of evidence- based therapies for children and adolescents: Bridging science and practice (pp. 25-43). New York: Springer.

Steele, R.G., Nelson, T.D., & Jelalian, E. (2008). Child and adolescent obesity in context: Trends and epidemiology. In E. Jelalian & R. G. Steele (Eds.), Handbook of childhood and adolescent obesity (pp. 3-10). New York: Springer.