Current Research

Principal Investigator. Funded by National Institute of Mental Health, 2007-2012.

Collaborative partnership with a community-based, specialty care agency serving female victims of domestic violence or sexual assault to (1) advance knowledge about developing research infrastructure in community settings and establishing collaborative research partnerships; (2) identify and incorporate factors in community settings that may be associated with quality care and optimal outcomes for clients; and (3) test adapted, evidence-based interventions in a community-based agency serving victims of violence against women.

Co-Principal Investigator. Funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, 2000-2008.

This grant involves enhancing advocacy efforts for those currently being served by MSU Safe Place (the domestic violence program on campus) and the Counseling Center's Sexual Assault Program. The project has also involved improving community education efforts in residence halls, for incoming students, and for classes, and complete trainings for police, judicial boards, sororities and fraternities and for the athletic department. We have also improved outreach and services for international students and their spouses by translating materials into 10 languages and providing training for translators.

Co-Principal Investigator. Funded by National Institute of Mental Health, 2007-2012.

Collaborative partnership with a community-based, specialty care agency serving female victims of domestic violence or sexual assault to (1) advance knowledge about developing research infrastructure in community settings and establishing collaborative research partnerships; (2) identify and incorporate factors in community settings that may be associated with quality care and optimal outcomes for clients; and (3) test adapted, evidence-based interventions in a community-based agency serving victims of violence against women.

Co-Investigator. Funded by Michigan State University, Familty and Communities Together Coalition, 2007-2009.

Pilot test validation of a screening instrument to identify serious mental illness and symptoms of subthreshhold mental illness among women incarcerated in an urban jail.

Co-Investigator. Funded by National Institute of Justice, 2007-2009.

The purpose of this project is to compare what factors predict reporting and prosecution of adolescent sexual assault cases in two similar communities that have different models of SANE-SART interventions. In conjunction with this quantitative work, we will also use qualitative methods to interview adolescents about their experiences in these different SANE-SART programs, their encounters with the criminal justice system, and the reasons behind why adolescents do—or do not—pursue criminal prosecution.

Co-Investigator. Funded by the National Institute of Justice, 2006-2009.

Interview study of battered women of Asian descent, using life history calendar methodology in order to delineate their life-course experience of intimate partner violence and contact with the criminal justice system.

Co-Principal Investigator. Funded by National Institute of Mental Health, 2007-2012.

Collaborative partnership with a community-based, specialty care agency serving female victims of domestic violence or sexual assault to (1) advance knowledge about developing research infrastructure in community settings and establishing collaborative research partnerships; (2) identify and incorporate factors in community settings that may be associated with quality care and optimal outcomes for clients; and (3) test adapted, evidence-based interventions in a community-based agency serving victims of violence against women.

Principal Investigator. Funded by the Evaluation Contracts from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Office of Violence Against Women & Office of Victims of Crime-Department of Justice. 2006-2008.

Principal Investigator. Funded by Michigan State University, 2007-2008.

This study examines the relationships between homelessness, cumulative violence exposure (i.e. community, family, and partner violence), stigma and discrimination, mental health and school-related outcomes, and resilience processes within a small sample of pregnant and/or parenting adolescent women (N = 20) who are currently homeless.

Principal Investigator. Funded by Michigan State University, 2007-2008.

This study examines different types of violence, social support, homelessness, and school and mental health outcomes within a sample of 200 pregnant and parenting adolescent women residing in Michigan.

Principal Investigator. Funded by MSU IRGP New Faculty Grants, 2007-2009.

This study evaluates the feasibility of using the Life History Calendar method to assess for co-occurring community, family, and partner violence, and the relationships between violence exposure and current outcomes, within a sample of pregnant and parenting adolescent women. Latent growth curve modeling and multilevel modeling with be piloted as analytic strategies.

Co-Investigator. Funded by the National Institute of Justice, 2008-2009.

Co-Investigator. Funded by the MSU FACT, 2007-2008.

Principal Investigator. Funded by the National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice, 2006-WV-BX-0004, $113,203. 2006-2007.

Principal Investigator. Funded by the National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice, 2006-IJ-CX-0005, $35,000. 2006-2007.

Funded by the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, $51,767. 2006-2007.

This research seeks to assess the extent to which the prosecution, conviction or sentencing of offenders reduce repeat violence between intimate partners. A secondary focus is to determine whether the effectiveness of criminal justice interventions is conditioned upon an offender’s stakes in conformity (i.e., employment, marriage, etc.). Prior empirical research has reported that repeat offending has increased, been reduced and remained unchanged following the prosecution, conviction or sentencing of intimate partner violence offenders. Similarly diverse results exist for the role of an offender’s stakes in conformity. However, these findings stem from individual research studies that use heterogeneous samples of cases, different indicators of criminal justice interventions, diverse measures of repeat offending, and a variety of bivariate and multivariate statistical tests. In addition, we have identified several research projects whose data on the effects of prosecution have never been analyzed. This research will use archived data from thousands of victim interviews and official records collected by thirteen prior studies to provide more consistent and more rigorous tests of the effects of criminal justice sanctions. Following an approach used successfully to assess the effects of arrest on subsequent violence, we will combine data, where appropriate, from different studies to produce cross-site analyses. This research will generate insight into the nature and extent of repeated violence between intimates, address several measurement and methodological issues in this research field and contribute to the policy debate over the effectiveness of criminal prosecution.

Principal Investigator. Funded by the MSU Office of Outreach and Engagement.

Focus groups and individual interviews currently being conducted by a team of four professionals (2 MSU doctoral students and 2 professional clinicians) to determine women's prioritization of need in several domains: housing, treatment/health, safety, issues with children, employment, etc. This research is located within Wayne County and involves the jail and several community agencies.

Co-Investigator. Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Submitted with the Michigan Coalition Against Domestic Violence to respond to the needs related to interpersonal victimization experienced by incarcerated or formerly incarcerated women.

Principal Investigator. Funded by Robert Wood Johnson Substance Abuse Policy Research Program.

Seven-state case study approach examining within and between state policies and practices regarding the treatment of individuals involved in the criminal justice system that are in community settings.

Principal Investigator. Funded by Michigan State University Families and Communities Together Program.

Working with the Wayne County Jail to valid a brief mental health screening measure within the jail.

Co-Principal Investigator. Partners: Southeast Michigan Community Alliance; Wayne State University.

Assessing the needs of 43 communities as they relate to alcohol abuse and underage drinking.

Co-Principal Investigator. Funded by Michigan State University (MSU Health and Biomedical Research Initiative). 2008–Present.

Institutional support to develop and expand interdisciplinary research projects at Michigan State University on violence against women. Initiative involves multiple academic units working together toward submission of an NIMH research center proposal.

Principal Investigator. Funded by the Intramural Research Grants Program (IRGP), Michigan State University. $39,686. 2007–Present.

The purpose of this study is to explore barriers and precursors of accountability and change among Latino men referred for domestic violence treatment. Findings of this study will be utilized to culturally adapt domestic violence interventions for Latino men.