Anna J. Esbensen, PhD
Title
Research Associate
Email
anna.esbensen@cchmc.org
Phone
513-636-8280
Fax
513-636-1360
Bio
Anna Esbensen is a Research Associate in Psychology in the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. She studies the lifespan development of individuals with Down syndrome and provides clinical services through the Thomas Center. She also studies the mental health of individuals with intellectual disability.
Credentials
PhD: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 2004
MA: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 2001
BScH: Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada, 1997
Awards and Honors
- 2005 Theodore Tjossem Postdoctoral Travel Award, Gatlinburg Conference
- 2004 Dissertation Award, Academy on Mental Retardation
- 2003, 2005 Research Poster Award, National Association for the Dually Diagnosed
- 2002 Alumni Grant for Graduate Research and Scholarship, OSU
Research
Lifespan development of down syndrome; health care of individuals with down syndrome; development of depressive symptomatology among individuals with intellectual disability
Research Grants and Contracts
Aging in adults with Down syndrome. Esbensen (PI). National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. 9/1/2009 – 8/31/2011. R03 HD59848
Depression in individuals with mental retardation: An evaluation of cognitive theories. 03.1184 – Esbensen (PI). Ohio Department of Mental Health. 10/1/2002 – 6/30/2003
Publications, Most Recent
Esbensen, A. J., Greenberg, J. S., Seltzer, M. M., & Aman, M. G. (2009). A Longitudinal Investigation of Psychoactive and Physical Medication Use among Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39, 1339-1349.
Esbensen, A. J., Seltzer, M. M., Lam, K. S. L., & Bodfish, J. W. (2009). Age-related differences in restricted repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39, 57-66.
Gonzalez, M. L., Dixon, D. R., Rojahn, J., Esbensen, A. J., Matson, J. L., Terlonge, C. & Smith, K. R. (2009). The Behavior Problems Inventory: Reliability and factor validity in institutionalized adults with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 22, 223-235.
Esbensen, A. J. (2008). Handbook of Developmental Disabilities: Review. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 1, 254-257.
Esbensen, A. J., Seltzer, M. M., & Krauss, M. W. (2008). Stability and change in health, functional abilities and behavior problems among adults with and without Down syndrome. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 113, 263-277.
Esbensen, A. J., Seltzer, M. M., & Greenberg, J. S. (2007). Factors predicting mortality in midlife adults with and without Down syndrome living with family. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 51, 1039-1050.
Esbensen, A. J., Seltzer, M. M., & Abbeduto, L. (2007). Family well-being in Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome. In J. E. Roberts, R. Chapman, & S. Warren (Eds.), Speech and Language Development and Intervention in Down Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome (pp. 275-295). Baltimore, MD: Brookes.
Serovich, J. M., Esbensen, A. J., & Mason, T. (2007). Disclosure of positive HIV serostatus by men who have sex with men to family and friends over time. AIDS Patient Care and STDs, 21, 492-500.
Esbensen, A. J., & Benson, B. A. (2007). An evaluation of Beck’s cognitive theory of depression in adults with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 51, 14-24.
Esbensen, A. J., Seltzer, M. M., & Greenberg, J. S. (2006). Depressive symptoms of adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability and their relation to maternal well-being. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 3, 229-237.
Rojahn, J., Esbensen, A. J., & Hoch, T. A. (2006). Relationships between facial discrimination and social adjustment in mental retardation. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 111, 366-377.
Esbensen, A. J., & Benson, B. A. (2006). A prospective analysis of life events, problem behaviours and depression in adults with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 50, 248-258.
Esbensen, A. J., & Benson, B. A. (2006). Diathesis-stress and depressed mood among adults with mental retardation. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 111, 100-112.
Presentations, Most Recent
Esbensen, A. J., Greenberg, J. S., Seltzer, M. M., & Aman, M. G. (2009, August). A Longitudinal Investigation of Psychotropic and Non-Psychotropic Medication Use among Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, ON.
Esbensen, A. J., Bishop, S. L., Seltzer, M. M., Greenberg, J. S., & Taylor, J. L. (2009, March). Comparisons Between Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Individuals with Down Syndrome in Midlife. Poster presented at the annual Gatlinburg Conference on Research and Theory in Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, New Orleans, LA.
Benson, B. A. & Esbensen, A. J. (2008, November). Assessment of and Screening for Anxiety and Depressed Mood. Invited presentation at the annual meeting of the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed, Niagara Falls, ON.
Esbensen, A. J., Seltzer, M. M., Lam, K. S. L., & Bodfish, J. W. (2008, March). Age-Related Differences in Restricted Repetitive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorders over the Lifespan. Paper presented at the annual Gatlinburg Conference on Research and Theory in Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, San Diego, CA.
Shogren, K., Drahota, A., Esbensen, A. J., Havercamp, S., Miodrag, N., Nelson, L., Wang, M., & Watson, S. (2007, May). Supporting Professional Growth and Nurturing Future Leaders: Initiatives of the AAIDD Ad Hoc Committee on Student and Junior Member Recruitment and Retention. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Atlanta, GA.
Esbensen, A. J., Seltzer, M. M., & Greenberg, J. S. (2007, March). Factors Predicting Mortality in a Residing with Family Aging Sample of Adults with Mental Retardation. Poster presented at the annual Gatlinburg Conference on Research and Theory in Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Annapolis, MD.
Drahota, A., Esbensen, A. J., Hall, A. C., Havercamp, S., Nelson, L. L., Shogren, K., Wang, M. (2006, May). AAMR Ad Hoc Committee on Student / Junior Member Recruitment and Retention: 2005-2006 Activity Report. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Association on Mental Retardation, Montreal, QC.
Esbensen, A. J., Seltzer, M. M., & Greenberg, J. S. (2006, March). Depressed Mood of Adults with Mental Retardation and its relation to Maternal Well-being. Paper presented at the annual Gatlinburg Conference on Research and Theory in Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, San Diego, CA.
Professional Organization Memberships
- American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD)
Special Interests
Behavior management; depression
