Studying Trauma and Recovery from Interpersonal ViolencE (STRIVE)
Research Lab
I am actively involved in research aimed at improving outcomes for trauma survivors and slowing down cycles of violence. Specifically, my research is focused on the identification of individual, socio-cultural and contextual predictors of post-traumatic distress and treatment outcomes, with the goal of developing and testing interventions to address these factors to improve outcomes. I am especially interested in trauma related guilt and shame, which are so pervasive and caustic.
Contact Me if you would like to contribute in any way (e.g., with funding, by volunteering as a
study participant, or serving as a research assistant).
Here is a glimpse of whatt we're currently studying in the STRIVE Lab at
AIM UP: Assessing post-Invasion Mental health and needs of Ukrainians Project
Longitudinally assessed mental health and functioning needs of Ukrainian evacuees living in the U.S. to inform culturally responsive services, treatments and advocacy efforts.
Collaborators:
Co-Principal Investigator: Rachael Wittern, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Northwestern College, Orange City, IA
Research Coordinator: Anastasiia Sverdel, MA
Consultants: Ivanna Sagan, PhD, Ukrainian Psychologist (licensed in Spain and Ukraine); Kristina Chernyak, MA, Ukrainian Psychologist
Research Assistants: Toree Patten, Cora Fletcher, Sina Azimi, Mahtab Tuba (Alliant University San Diego Clinical Psychology PhD Program students)
Anneka Sterk, Megan Bosch, Macy Hajek, Clara Pahl, Lydia Baker (Northwestern College Psychology Department students)
Funding:
Alliant Education Foundation (AEF) Innovation/Seed Grant
American Psychological Association Early Career Global Psychology Grant
PhD Dissertation Projects
Offense-Specific PTSD Among Incarcerated Individuals: How Offending Can Affect the Offenders
Cora Fletcher, MA
Shame Manifestation in Individuals with Narcissism
Anastasiia Sverdel, MA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasiia-sverdel-54655130/
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Related to Solitary Confinement in Incarcerated Individuals
Toree Patten, MA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/toreepatten
How Do Familistic Attitudes of Latinx Men and Women Influence the Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Problematic Substance Use?
Venus Perez, BS
Click here to see information about my Past Trainees and what they're up to now!
