Women with a history of sexual assault have an increased risk of being repeatedly re-victimized. Although many programs have been developed with the specific aim of reducing this risk of revictimization, they have been largely unsuccessful in achieving this goal. Additional research is needed to identify the specific factors associated with re-victimization that can inform the further development and refinement of these intervention programs. The current study is aimed at examining whether experiential avoidance (avoidance of painful internal events such as thoughts, emotions and images) is a significant predictor of re-victimization among college-aged women with a sexual assault history. Further, we will examine whether or not experiential avoidance mediates the relationship between established risk factors (such as substance use) and revictimization.

Experiential Avoidance in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

This project explores the role of experiential avoidance in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Current research indicates that people with GAD tend to avoid or control their anxiety provoking emotional experiences. This approach to emotional regulation paradoxically exacerbates GAD symptoms. We are currently collecting data from a non-clinical sample to measure the extent to which people without GAD tend to avoid or control their emotional experience.

Acceptance/Mindfulness, Emotion, and Alcohol Use

One prevailing theory of substance abuse involves emotional avoidance as a central reinforcer. The premise of this study is that acceptance/mindfulness techniques which assist in allowing substance abusers to accept their emotional states could be clinically useful in the treatment of maladaptive patterns of substance use. Efficacy studies have already demonstrated success when using treatment approaches that include mindfulness (such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy) to treat individuals suffering from substance dependence. The current study involves the dismantling of these empirically supported treatment modalities to investigate the underlying mechanisms of action.

Developing a Sexual Assault Risk Reduction Program for Previously Victimized College-Aged Women

Exposure to sexual assault is highly prevalent among college-aged women. However, exposure to victimization is not randomly distributed in this population; instead, a subset of individuals experiences a disproportionate number of traumatic events and, as a result, suffers significant psychosocial impairment. Unfortunately, programs aimed at reducing the risk of sexual assault have been largely ineffective, likely because they lack a strong, empirically supported conceptual foundation. In this study, we will examine the efficacy of a newly developed, conceptually driven risk reduction program in reducing the rate of sexual assault among women with a previous history of victimization.

Cross-Cultural Validation of the SCL-90-R with Asian and Pacific Island Populations

Previous research has demonstrated that ethnic minorities tend to yield a higher profile on self-report measures of distress. These findings have been reported with a number of different ethnic minority groups. One consequence of using a self-report measure of distress with a population for which normative data are unavailable is the over-pathologizing of clients. This project examines the utility of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) for use with Asian and Pacific Island populations. The goals of this study are twofold: first, to present data on symptom reporting for a non-clinical college sample at a Pacific Island university taking into consideration effects of ethnicity; and second, to develop normative data for these populations.