Reg Arthur Williams, PhD, RN, FAAN


Professor Emeritus
Room 2160 NURS1

University of Michigan School of Nursing
400 North Ingalls Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5482

Telephone: (734)763-0002

Interests

  • Depression
  • Stress
  • Intervention research
  • Military members
  • Internet intervention
Dr. Williams's primary area of expertise is depression and stress and, accordingly, most of his research focused on interventions to reduce stress and symptoms of depression. He was the Principal Investigator for five research grants funded by DoD and TriService Nursing Research Program to investigate stress, coping, and depression specifically in members of the military. The studies represent a program of research to develop an intervention that assists military members in managing stressful conditions. In the last study, he adapted the Stress Gym Internet Intervention program to help combat casualty patients with the stress of their combat injuries and to evaluate the website by nurses who provide care to these patients.  Even in retirement, he maintains a practice at the Depression Center, Department of Psychiatry where he carries a small caseload of patients who experience depression.  

Teaching

Dr. Williams is a master teacher and has taught numerous courses in research and data analysis.  In the past, he taught a doctoral level course in measurement, a graduate course on data management and data analysis, and an Honor’s course in nursing research.  As the chair, he has mentored numerous doctoral students in program planning, preliminary examinations, and dissertation research.  He has been attributed to helping students think about their work and how they can continue to improve it.  He found creative ways of teaching complex concepts using computer-aided instruction and hands-on learning experiences to foster students’ learning and development of expertise.

Notable Awards / Honors

  • Teacher of the Year, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, 2012
  • Distinguished Alumni Award, College of Nursing, University of Utah, 2008
  • Certificate of Merit, Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research, 2000
  • Excellence in Education Award, Sigma Theta Tau, Rho Chapter, 1997
  • Fellow, American Academy of Nursing, 1981

Education

  • PhD, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 1980
  • MN, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 1972
  • BSN, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 1968

Publication Highlights

  • Williams, R. A. (2019).  Depression: A major public health concern.  Ormond Beach, FL: Elite Healthcare.

  • Kalmbach, D. A., Cheng, P., Arnedt, J. T., Anderson, J. R., Roth, T., Fellman-Couture, C., Williams, R. A., & Drake, C. L. (2019). Treating insomnia improves depression, maladaptive thinking, and hyperarousal in postmenopausal women: Comparing cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI), sleep restriction therapy, and sleep hygiene education.  Sleep Medicine.  doi: 10.1018.11.019.

  • Kruse, J. A., Williams, R. A., Mood, D. (2017).  Exploratory factor analysis of the Strength of Cultural Affiliation Scale. Cancer Nursing. doi: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000000346.

  • Hagerty, B. M., Williams, R. A., Bathish, M. A., Atkins, J., West, B. T., Fuller, D. S., & Kazemi, J. (2017).  Assessing cognitive representations of antidepressants: Development and validation of the Attitudes Toward Medication-Depression Inventory.  Western Journal of Nursing Research. doi: 10.1177/0193945917705136

  • Williams, R. A. & Hagerty, B. M. (2016). Depression and stress: Research to practice and practice to research. In S. Ketefian (Ed.). Shaping Nursing Science and Improving Health: The Michigan Legacy. Ann Arbor: Michigan Publishing.

  • Kruse, J. A., Hagerty, B. M., Gatien, G., Byers, W. S., & Williams, R. A., (2014). Considering a relational model for depression in Navy recruits. Military Medicine, 179: 1293-3000. DOI: 10.7205/MIL-MED-D-14-00116.

  • Kruse, J. A., Williams, R. A., & Seng, J. S. (2014). Considering a rational model for depression in women with postpartum depression. International Journal of Childbirth, 4: 151-168.

  • Piachob, S., Sangon, S., Sitthimongkol, Y., Williams, R. A., & Orathai, P. (2014). A causal model of psychological distress of Thai family caregivers of people with major depressive disorder. Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research, 18:173-186.

  • Yuthiarpa, S., Sethabouppha, H., Soivong, P., & Williams, R. A. (2012). Effectiveness of a school-based cognitive behavioral therapy program for Thai adolescents with depressive symptoms. Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research, 16: 206-221.

  • Kaesornsamut, P.,Sitthimongkol, Y., Williams, R. A., Sangon, S., Rohitsuk, W, & Vorapongsathorn, T. (2012). Effectiveness of the BAND intervention program on Thai adolescents ‘ sense of belonging, negative thinking, and depressive symptoms. Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research, 16:29-47.

  • Lee, H. & Williams, R. A, (2013). Effects of parental alcoholism, sense of belonging, and resilience on depressive symptoms: A path model. Substance Use & Misuse, 1-9, DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2012.754899

  • Williams, R. A., Gatien, G., Hagerty, B., Kane, M., Otto, L., Wilson, C., & Throop, M. (2012). Addressing psychosocial care using an interactive Website for combat wounded patients. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care. DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2012.00344

  • Williams, R. A., Gatien, G., & Hagerty, B. (2012). The need for reform of human subjects protections in military health research. Military Medicine, 177, 204-208.

  • Katapodi, M. C., Munro, M. L., Pierce, P. F., & Williams, R. A. (2011). Psychometric testing of the Decisional Conflict Scale: Genetic testing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Nursing Research. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0b013e3182337dad.

  • Williams, R. A., Lopez, J. F. (2011). Influence of paroxetine and cognitive/behavioral strategies in neurocardiogenic syncope and depression: A case report. Open Journal of Psychiatry, 75-78. doi: 10.4236/ojpsych.2011.13011.