Violence Prevention Research Lab

The Violence Prevention Research Lab is includes Social Work & Psychology graduate and undergraduate students.

FALL 2022 VPRL Team – Front from left: Val Dobrow, Christine Kwon, Dora Watkins, Qihao Zhan, Alina Loewenstein, Maddie Welsh, Rachel Garthe, Sarah Aronson, Alexis Krones, Shongha Kim, Grace Dietrich, Abby Gillogly, Kailynn Hamilton; Back from left: Simon Mwima, Riley Murphy, Aggie Rieger, Brea Griffin, Allyson Blackburn, Chance Flemming, Maya Novick, and Michelle Morrison
SPRING 2022 VPRL Team – Front from left: Simon Mwima, Wendy Hsieh, Riley Murphy, Rachel Garthe, Shongha Kim, David Mowry, Matt Saxsma, Amanda Yeazel, Michelle Morrison; Back from left: Grace Dietrich, Abby Gillogly, Christine Kwon, Maddie Welsh, Liz Guenther, Sarah Aronson, Chance Flemming, Alexis Krones, and Maya Novick
FALL 2021 VPRL Team – Pictured left to right: Amanda Yeazel, Maya Korol, Alexis Krones, Sarah Aronson, Maddie Welsh, Matt Saxsma, Wendy Hsieh, Liz Guenther, Miah Emano, Miranda Robles, Simon Mwima, Ashley Jung, Shongha Kim, David Mowry, Rachel Garthe

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Shongha Kim, PhD

Dr. Kim received her PhD and MSW from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Social Work.

Shongha is interested in researching cyber-victimization and mental health outcomes among early adolescents in school. Shongha is also interested in the role of peer relationships, friendships, and friendship qualities during early adolescence.

Graduate Research & Teaching Assistants

Dora Watkins, MSW

Dora received her bachelor’s of social work and master’s of social work from Wayne State University. Currently, she is a PhD student at the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign’s School of Social Work. Dora is interested in the association between perceived and internalized resilience and mental health help-seeking among high achieving Black women with complex trauma histories. She is also hyper-focused on exploring unique barriers to mental health help-seeking among historically marginalized and oppressed groups and closing race-based statistical gaps in mental health care disparities.

Qihao Zhan, MSW, MPA

Qihao received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and family and human development and master’s degree in social work and public administration from Arizona State University. Currently, she is a PhD student at the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign’s School of Social Work. Her interests include teen dating relationships and intimate partner violence among adolescent and young adult populations.

Lead Research Assistant

Maddie Welsh, BSW

Maddie is the lead graduate research assistant for the 2022-2023 school year. Madisyn obtained her bachelor’s of social work from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign’s School of Social Work. Now, she is a master’s student at the university. Madisyn is interested in juvenile violence prevention, including gun violence prevention, physical violence prevention, and violence prevention within schools. Also, she is interested in studying youth involved in the criminal legal system and the impact of community violence on youth.

MSW Research Assistants

Sarah Aronson, BSW
Alexis Krones, BSW
Liz Guenther, BSW
Grace Dietrich, BSW
Val Dobrow, BS, BSW

Sarah Aronson earned her bachelor’s of social work from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign’s School of Social Work. Now, she is a master’s student at the university. She is interested in doing research with mental health and violence prevention in adolescents in the schools. 

Alexis Krones received her bachelor’s of social work from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign’s School of Social Work. Currently, she is a master’s student at the university. Alexis is interested in researching young and single mother’s experiences and health disparities, LGBTQIA+ individual and group experiences and outcomes, and the rehabilitation and social reintegration of incarcerated women.

Liz Guenther obtained her bachelor’s of social work from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign’s School of Social Work. Now, she is a master’s student at the university. Liz is interested in exploring how community interventions can promote community wellness, reduce community violence, and encourage social change.

Grace Dietrich received her bachelor’s of social work from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign’s School of Social Work. Now, she is a master’s student at the university. Grace is very interested in mental health in adolescents, but more specifically, anxiety & depression. She is also interested in how rural areas lack of access to mental health affects their population.

Val Dobrow earned her bachelor’s of social work from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign’s School of Social Work. Currently, she is a master’s student at the university. Val is interested in researching how violence impacts neuroscience and mental health of minority groups.

Graduate Student Affiliates

Social Work

Jeanna Campbell, MSW

Allison Salisbury, MSW

Psychology

Allyson Blackburn, MS

Brea Griffin

Agnes (Aggie) Rieger, MS

Matt Saxsma

Publications & Presentations

  • Krones, A., Rieger, A., Garthe, R. C., & Allen, N. (2023). An uphill battle: Sexual violence preventionists’ experiences engaging community members and parents. Poster to be presented at the Society for Community Research and Action.
  • Garthe, R. C., Allen, N. E., Kim, S., Griffin, B., & Saxsma, M. (2023 January). Stalking and cyberstalking among students at a large, Midwestern university: Implications for prevention programs & campus responses. Poster presented at Society for Social Work Research (SSWR), Phoenix, AZ. 
  • Garthe, R. C., Mwima, S., Kim, S., Nag, A., & Mowry, D. (2023 January). An examination of county-level and geographical factors in relation to violence prevention and intervention efforts among service providers. Poster presented at Society for Social Work Research (SSWR), Phoenix, AZ.
  • Blackburn, A.M., Allen, N.E., Griffin, B., Novick, M., & Garthe, R.C. (2022, November). Identity abuse among sexual and gender minority university students. [Poster Presentation]. Annual Meeting of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, Atlanta, GA.
  • Mwima, S., Garthe, R. C., Kasakya, G., Katambala, P., Mosinghi, A., Mowry, D., & Chipalo, E. (2022, November). Assessing the factors associated with HIV and sexually transmitted infection testing practices among adolescent persons in Uganda. Paper presented at American Public Health Association Conference, Boston, MA. 
  • Rieger, A., Griffin, B., Zhan, Q., Garthe, R.C., & Allen, N.E. (2022, October). Newness, needs, & nuance: Nascent community-informed sexual violence prevention practices. Presentation at the Midwestern ECO Conference, virtual.
  • Garthe, R. C., Gorman-Smith, D., Cosey-Gay, F., Harris, C., Schoeny, M., & Francis, M. (January 2022). Promotive factors within community, family, and school contexts: Associations with adolescent mental health and violence within a high-burden urban community. Paper presented at Society for Social Work Research (SSWR), Washington, DC. 
  • Garthe, R. C., Campbell, J. (presenting author), Hsieh, W., & Smith, D. C. (January 2022). Individual, relational, and community protective factors in the relation between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adult mental health symptoms. Paper presented at Society for Social Work Research (SSWR), Washington, DC.
  • Kim, S. & Garthe, R. C. (January 2022). Associations between negative friendship qualities, cyber-victimization from friends, and depressive symptoms among early adolescents. Paper presented at Society for Social Work Research (SSWR), Washington, DC.
  • Salisbury, A., Garthe, R. C., Smith, D. C. (January 2022). Disparities of violence prevention and intervention efforts: Implications for rural communities. Paper presented at Society for Social Work Research (SSWR), Washington, DC.
  • Smith, D. C., Garthe, R. C., Kim, S., Lee, A., Venezia, E., Thebaud, M., & Kovacevic, L. (January 2022). Patterns of expanded adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adult cannabis use. Paper presented at Symposium, “Current and future strategies to address substance use and violence,” Society for Social Work Research (SSWR), Washington, DC. 
  • Garthe, R. C., Rieger, A., Blackburn, A., & Saxsma, M. (November 2021). A statewide assessment of disparities in violence among LGBTQ adolescents: Recommendations for state and community responses to violence. Paper presented at Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), Virtual conference.
  • Garthe, R. C., Smith, D. C., Salisbury, A., & Kim, S. (November 2021). Conducting a statewide needs assessment of violence to inform practice and policy. Interactive Workshop to be presented at Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Orlando, Florida.
  • Garthe, R. C. (June 2021). Abstract of Distinction: Mental health and victimization among transgender and gender expansive adolescents: Recommendations for reducing disparities within school contexts. Symposium at Society for Prevention Research, Virtual.
    • Rieger, A., & Garthe, R. C. (June 2021). The unrelenting context of victimization for transgender and gender expansive youth from eighth to twelfth grade.
    • Blackburn, A., Garthe, R. C., Kaur, A., & Sarol, J. (June 2021). Suicidal ideation among transgender and gender expansive youth: Mechanisms of risk.
    • Goffnett, J., Garthe, R. C., & Kim, S. (June 2021). The role of caring adults and a supportive school climate for transgender and gender expansive youth.
  • Kim, S., & Garthe, R. C. (June 2021). The impact of cyber-victimization from friends on depression and social stress among early adolescents. Paper presented at Society for Prevention Research, Virtual.
  • Salisbury, A. A., Mowry, D. T., Saxsma, M. G., Garthe, R. C., & Smith, D. C. (May 2021). Violence prevention in Illinois: Perspectives of community leaders. Paper presented at Social Work Day: International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, Virtual Conference.
  • Hsieh, W., Garthe, R. C. (January 2021). Post-traumatic growth among adult women sexual assault survivors. Poster presented at Society for Social Work and Research, Virtual Conference
  • Garthe, R. C., & Kim, S. (presenting author). (October 2020). Cyber-victimization experiences among early adolescents: Associations with in-person peer and dating violence. Poster presented at American Public Health Association Conference, Virtual Conference.
  • Goffnett, J., & Garthe, R. C. (October 2020). Dating violence victimization among transgender youth: The intersectionality of gender and geographic region. Paper presented at American Public Health Association Conference, Virtual Conference.
  • Backode, E., Kim, S., Garthe, R. C. (October 2020). Preventing adolescent dating violence through parental connectedness in technologically connected communities. Poster presented at American Public Health Association Conference, Virtual Conference.
  • Rieger, A., Garthe, R. C., Blackburn, A. M., Kim, S., & Allen, N. E. (June, 2020). Health communication: A community and societal-level child maltreatment prevention tool? Poster to be presented at the 2020 Society for Research in Child Development Special Topic Workshop the State of Research on Prevention of Child Maltreatment: Current Knowledge and Future Directions to Inform Policy and Practice, St. Louis, MO. (Conference postponed).
  • Goffnett, J. & Garthe, R. C. (May 2020). Dating violence victimization among transgender youth: The intersectionality of gender and geographic region. Paper presented at LGBTQ Research Symposium, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL. (Conference canceled).
  • Garthe, R. C., Kim, S., Tan, K., & Wegmann, K. (March 2020). Examination of early adolescents’ experiences with victimization and cyber-victimization from peers and dating partners by gender. Paper to be presented at the Society for Research on Adolescence, San Diego, CA. (Conference canceled)
  • Kim, S., Garthe, R. C., & Hong, J. S. ( March 2020). Problematic social media use and cyber-victimization among early adolescents: The mediating role of social stress. Poster presented at Society for Research on Adolescence, San Diego, CA (Conference canceled).

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Chance Flemming
Abby Gillogly
Christine Kwon
Michelle Morrison
Riley Murphy
Maya Novick
Alina Loewenstein
Kailynn Hamilton

Chance Flemming is currently working to receive his bachelor’s of social work from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign’s School of Social Work. Some of his research interests include economic policy, racial equity, and violence prevention.

Abby Gillogly is currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in social work at the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign’s School of Social Work. Some of her research interests include mental health and the relationship between parent and child mental health. 

Christine Kwon is an undergraduate student working to receive her bachelor’s of social work from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign’s School of Social Work. She is interested in researching the criminal legal system and anger. In addition, she is interested in studying intimate partner violence and adverse childhood experiences.

Michelle Morrison earned her associate’s degree from Parkland College in 2007. Currently, she is a bachelor’s student at the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign’s School of Social Work. Michelle is interested in any research that would inform policy and create more evidence based practice in our government, institutions, and organizations. Additionally, she is passionate about adverse childhood experiences, race, violence prevention, and human rights.

Riley Murphy is currently working to receive her bachelor’s of social work from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign’s School of Social Work. She is interested in researching a variety of topics such as sexual violence prevention, immigration studies, and prison system reform.

Maya Novick is currently working towards a dual degree in psychology and social work from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign. Some of Maya’s research interests include intimate partner violence in LGBTQ+ relationships and the prevelance of nonsuicidal self-injury in transgender youth as a symptom of gender dysphoria.

Kailynn Hamilton is currently working towards her bachelor’s of social work at the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign’s School of Social Work. This is Kailynn’s first year in the lab and is exploring the different research opportunities the lab is offering.

Publications & Presentations

2023
  • Kwon, C. (2023). Adverse Childhood Experiences, Intimate Partner Violence, Anger, and Mental Health Symptoms Among Incarcerated Women. Poster presented at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research. 
  • Loewenstin, A. (2023). Positive Relationships with Parents or Other Adults: A Protective Factor Against the Transmission of Intergenerational Trauma. Poster presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Murphy, R. (2023). A Narrated Review on the Prevalence of Police Violence in the Disability Community. Paper presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 
  • Novick, M. (2023). Intimate Partner Violence Against Transgender and Gender Expansive Individuals: A Review of Existing Literature. Poster presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 
  • Novick, M. (2023). Intimate Partner Violence Against Transgender and Gender Expansive Individuals: A Review of Existing Literature. Poster presented at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research. 
2022
  • Aronson, S. & Krones, A. (2022). The impact of an adolescent dating violence prevention program on dating violence norms: A comparison of in-person vs. online program delivery. Paper presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Flemming, C. & Morrison, M. (2022). An analysis of the inequality of Adverse Childhood Experiences facing African Americans in Illinois and the Impact of State Economic Policy. Poster presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Krones, A., Aronson, S., & Welsh, M. (2022). Parent/Caregiver perceptions of students’ mental and behavioral health and the impact on school involvement during the pandemic. Poster presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Kwon, C. (2022). Factors contributing to state and trait anger in incarcerated women. Paper presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Novick, M., Gillogly, A., Dietrich, G., & Saxsma, M. (2022). Parents’ mental health struggles in relation to the mental health of their children during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of emotion responsive parenting. Paper presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Saxsma, M. (2022). Intimate partner violence: The role of Adverse Childhood Experiences and attachment. Poster presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Welsh, M. (2022). Zero tolerance policies and the school-to-prison pipeline: the important role of school-family collaborations in decreasing juvenile delinquency. Poster presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
2021
  • Baltierra, J., Aronson, S., Welsh, M.  (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on cyber-victimization experiences among middle school students. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Guenther, L. (2021). An Investigation into the Potential of Horticultural and Nature-Based Interventions for Well-Being and the Methods to Evaluate Their Effects. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Krones, A., Aronson, S., & Yeazel, A. (2021). An Exploration of Dating Violence Norms Among Early Adolescents. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Shusterman, B., & Mikuta, E. (2021). Impact of Social Media on Adolescents Eating, Sleep, and Exercise Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Yeazel, A., Krones, A., & Aronson, S. (2021). Associations Between Parenting Practices and Acceptance of Dating Abuse Norms Among 7th Grade. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
2020
  • Brown, J. (2020). A Critique of the Youth Empowerment Model. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Maldonado, M. (2020). Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Incarcerated Women. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Mowry, D., (2020). Relationships Between Teacher Support, Informal Social Control and Students’ Perceptions of Safety. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Reubling, A., & Yeazel, A. (2020). An Examination of The Associations Between Positive and Negative Friendship Qualities and Cyber-Victimization from Friends During Early Adolescence. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Saxsma, M., & Welsh, M. (2020). The Relationships Between Self-Esteem, Mental Health, and Cyber-Victimization Among Middle School Students. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Yeazel, A., & Reubling, A. (2020). Associations Between Mental Health and Attendance Among 6th Grade Students. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
2019
  • Garcia-Greenawalt, L., Razack, S., & McLain, B. (2019). A Systematic Review of Women Involved in the Criminal Justice System: Intersections with Intimate Partner Violence and the Child Welfare System. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Alumni of the Lab

  • Jessica Baltierra, BSW
  • Jahnellia Brown, BSW
  • Leyda Garcia-Greenawalt, MSW
  • Elena Gonzalez
  • Wan-Jung (Wendy) Hsieh, PhD
  • Chantelle Jasper
  • Rachel Kaufman, BSW
  • Shongha Kim, PhD
  • Bradley McLain, MSW
  • Mariah Maldonado, MSW
  • Emily Mikuta
  • Percy Moran-Facazio, BSW
  • David Mowry, MSW
  • Alex Nambo, MSW
  • Shameem Razack, BA
  • Ashley Ruebling, BSW
  • Breena Shusterman
  • Amanda Yeazel, MSW

Collaborators

The lab also collaborates with the following individuals:

  • Nicole Allen, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
  • Jennea Bivens-Klingenberg, PsyD
  • Sarah Colomé, MS, Women’s Resources Center, UIUC
  • Franklin Cosey-Gay, Ph.D., Chicago Center for Youth Violence Prevention & the University of Chicago Hospital
  • Gina Fedock, Ph.D., Crown Family School of Social Work, Practice, and Policy, University of Chicago
  • Matthew Epperson, Ph.D., Crown Family School of Social Work, Practice, and Policy, University of Chicago
  • Jacob Goffnett, Ph.D., School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Deborah Gorman-Smith, Ph.D., Crown Family School of Social Work, Practice, and Policy, & Chicago Center for Youth Violence Prevention, University of Chicago
  • Jane Hereth, Ph.D., School of Social Work, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
  • Amandeep Kaur, MPH, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design Core, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute
  • Marion Malcome, Ph.D., LCSW, School of Social Work, Loyola University
  • Between Friends Chicago
  • Jesus Sarol, Jr, Ph.D., Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design Core, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute
  • Doug Smith, Ph.D., School of Social Work & Center for Prevention Research and Development, UIUC

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