at UTSA
Dr. Mackenzie Hart
Currently accepting doctoral students
Research Interests & Projects
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a goal oriented approach to having conversations about behavior change that is characterized by acceptance, compassion, and empathy, and is designed to help others resolve ambivalence towards change. Originally developed by Dr. William Miller, and subsequently studied by hundreds of other researchers, Dr. Hart hopes to further understanding of how MI helps adolescents.
Task Shifting
Task-shifting refers to the reallocation of a specific job, often from a highly trained professional to a less skilled worker. Effective task-shifting allows for an increase in the number of qualified providers that deliver a specific service (ex: a single-session intervention for disruptive behavior). This research includes studying which tasks are best transferred to whom, and how these transfers can be best supported through training and supervision.
Just-in-Time Trainings
(JITTs)
Dr. Hart’s work has developed and studied the efficacy of brief, specific training modules. These JITTs can be accessed “on demand” and often immediately precede the delivery of a specific service. For example, a mentor may watch a JITT on how to conduct a goal-setting activity just prior to meeting with their mentee. Ongoing projects include developing just-in-time trainings for mentors, as well as studying optimal avenues of dissemination.
Representative Publications
Hart, M. J., McQuillin, S. D., Iachini, A., Weist, M., Hills, K., & Cooper, D. (2023). Expanding school-based Motivational Interviewing through delivery by paraprofessional providers: A preliminary scoping review. School Mental Health, 15, 673-691. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-023-09580-3
Hart, M. J., Sung, J. Y., McQuillin, S. D., & Schleider, J. L. (2023). Expanding the reach of psychosocial services for youth: Untapped potential of mentors and single session interventions. Journal of Community Psychology, 51(3), 1255-1272. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22927
Hart, M. J., Sable, R., Gupta, A., Boddu, J., & McQuillin, S. D. (2022). Adapting a school-based Motivational Interviewing mentoring program for use in India. School Psychology International, 43(2), 196-216. https://doi.org/10.1177/01430343221080782
Hart, M. J., Flitner, A. M., Kornbluh, M. E., Thompson, D. C., Davis, A. L., Lanza-Gregory, J., McQuillin, S. D., Gonzalez, J. E., & Strait, G. G. (2021). Combining MTSS and community-based mentoring programs. School Psychology Review, 1–15, advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/2372966x.2021.1922937
Kornbluh, M. E., Johnson, L., & Hart, M. J. (2021). Shards from the glass ceiling: Deconstructing marginalizing systems in relation to critical consciousness development. American Journal of Community Psychology, 68(1-2), 187-201. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12512
McQuillin, S. D., Lyons, M. D., Becker, K. D., Hart, M. J., & Cohen, K. (2019). Strengthening and expanding child services in low resource communities: The role of task-shifting and just-in-time training. American Journal of Community Psychology, 63(3-4), 355-365. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12314