Our Projects

Current Research Projects

Researching Equitable Sleep Time in Kentucky Communities (REST-KY)

The REST-KY study is a five-year collaborative project sponsored by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) led by Dr. Christal Badour and Dr. Mairead Moloney in the Department of Sociology focused on understanding individual-, social/community-, and societal-level factors that impact sleep and health disparites among adults living in Appalachian Kentucky. Our lab is particularly interested in understanding how individual-level risk factors such as adverse childhood experiences, intimate partner violence, other trauma and stress, substance use behavior, and community-level risk factors such as community cohesion, availability of employment opportunities, and access to healthcare perpetuate disparities in sleep and other aspects of health.

New Beginnings Following Trauma Study

This multiple baseline study is investigating the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of Written Exposure Therapy-Integrated (WET-I) in reducing symptoms of PTSD among individuals with comorbid PTSD and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) who are currently enrolled in a methadone or buprenorphine treatment program in Kentucky. WET-I is a 5-session, trauma-focused, integrated therapy that combines an evidence-based intervention for PTSD with harm reduction techniques for OUD. Therapy sessions are conducted in-person at the University of Kentucky Clinic for Emotional Health or via teletherapy.

Healthy Recovery After Trauma (HRT) Study

This non-concurrent multiple baseline treatment study is aimed at evaluating whether Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), an empirically supported treatment for PTSD, is efficacious at reducing mental contamination (i.e., experiences of dirtiness and contamination in the absence of a physical contaminant) and trauma-related shame/guilt among individuals with PTSD following sexual trauma when delivered alone, or in combination with six sessions of self-compassion therapy for PTSD. Therapy sessions are conducted in-person at the University of Kentucky Clinic for Emotional Health or via teletherapy.

Reclaiming Your Life After Sexual Trauma (RLT) Study

This multiple baseline study is assessing the efficacy and acceptability of Written Exposure Therapy (WET), a 5-session, empirically supported treatment for PTSD, in reducing symptoms of PTSD and trauma-related mental contamination (i.e., experiences of dirtiness and contamination in the absence of a physical contaminant) among individuals with PTSD following sexual trauma. Therapy sessions are conducted in-person at the University of Kentucky Clinic for Emotional Health or via teletherapy.

Emotions and Eating Behaviors Among Young Women

This two-wave survey study is focused on understanding eating behaviors and emotions among young women who have and have not experienced childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Findings from this study may improve our understanding of the role of emotions in contributing to disordered eating among women who experienced CSA. Results may also help us better understand which types of emotions, if any, could be targeted in treatment to help women with histories of CSA who are experiencing difficulties related to food or their weight or body shape.

The Posttraumatic Experience & Regulation of Shame (PERS) Study

This sequential mixed-methods project aims to improve our understanding of ways in which women with histories of interpersonal trauma (IPT; i.e., physical or sexual assault or abuse) may experience and manage feelings of shame related to these experiences. Study 1 will use daily diary data to improve our understanding of a) how frequent, intense, and variable shame is in women’s daily lives and b) relationships between shame and use of specific strategies aimed at managing emotions in women’s daily lives. Study 2 will explore women’s perspectives on how they experience and manage shame related to IPT in their daily lives via one-on-one interviews.

Relationship and Sexual Health of Young Adult Latina/Hispanic Women

This study is focused on understanding the impact of intimate partner violence on the intimate relationships and sexual health outcomes and behaviors of young adult Latina/Hispanic women. Findings from this study may expand our understanding of the sexual functioning and behaviors of young adult Latina/Hispanic women who have been in a recent relationship. Additional, results may inform the future development of culturally sensitive, trauma-informed interventions aimed at improving the sexual health outcomes of Latina/Hispanic women living in the U.S.

Measuring Victimization and PTSD in the Kentucky Treatment Outcome Study (KTOS)

The Kentucky Treatment Outcome Study (KTOS) is an annual state-wide survey sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID) and the UK Center for Drug and Alcohol Research (CDAR) to evaluate outcomes for patients receiving publicly-funded substance use treatment in the state of Kentucky. In collaboration with the PI on this project, Dr. TK Logan of CDAR, we are now evaluating how adverse childhood experiences, violence victimization, and PTSD symptoms impact recovery and relapse among patients participating in the KTOS.