Sara F. Stein

Interpersonal trauma exposure such as intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive problem associated with severe, long-term physical and mental health problems. Yet, current treatments for those who have experienced IPV show limited effectiveness in reducing future IPV victimization, suggesting the mechanisms of risk for experiencing IPV remain largely unknown. The central aim of my program of research is to identify mechanisms of trauma-related risk transmission across generations to increase effectiveness of evidence-based treatments and mitigate detrimental long-term physical and mental health outcomes in families and children. This goal has motivated 4 complementary lines of inquiry involving sophisticated analytic techniques including longitudinal multi-level modeling: 1) delineating mechanisms of risk for interpersonal trauma exposure victimization; 2) identifying sequalae of interpersonal trauma on women and children; 3) investigating predictors of suboptimal parenting practices in trauma-exposed families; and 4) conducting clinical intervention evaluation research, clinical work, and translational activities. Sara is also currently a fully licensed, practicing clinical social worker in the State of Michigan, with expertise in the treatment of complex trauma.