Overview

Keywords: military, sexual trauma, sexual functioning, relationships, distress/PTSD, suicide risk

Lab Area: Clinical Psychology

Actively Recruiting Graduate Students: No

Actively Recruiting Undergraduate Researchers: No

Broadly speaking, Dr. Blais’ program of research focuses on individual (PTSD, depression, suicide, physical health) and interpersonal (relationship satisfaction, sexual function, social support) outcomes associated with military-related traumas, including combat and sexual assault/harassment. The goal of her program of research is to inform the development or augmentation of screening measures aimed at identifying at-risk groups and augmenting existing clinical interventions to provide a more holistic approach to healing from trauma. She has several lines of inquiry open and is excited to attract lab members who can contribute and grow this program of research.

Projects

Mission: Military Sexual Assault, Responses to Disclosure, and Psychological Distress

Despite Adjustment disorder being the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorder in the Department of Defense (DoD), little is known about factors that contribute to its diagnosis. Military Sexual Assault (MSA) is a major public health concern and is associated with a variety of poor outcomes, potentially including Adjustment Disorder. It is possible that responses to disclosure of MSA also relate to Adjustment Disorder. The current study examines the association of Adjustment Disorder symptom severity, MSA exposure, and disclosure of MSA experiences in a sample of US military service members and veterans.

This project is funded by the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program and is done in collaboration with Dr. Alyson Zalta at the University of California, Irvine.

Mission: Preventing Suicide Risk Among Survivors of Military Sexual Violence

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is associated with greater risk for psychological distress, greater substance and alcohol misuse, and suicide. While associations between MST and suicide risk are established, this study seeks to assess which MST survivors are at particularly high risk. Of particular interest are stigma and institutional responses to MST. The study seeks to identify how these factors influence risk for suicide for current and former military service members.

This project is funded by the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, and is done in collaboration with Dr. Lindsey Monteith at the Denver MIRECC.

Mission: Military Moms

The transition to motherhood is a complex time and good outcomes are made possible by adequate support, physical well-being, good psychological health, and access to medical care. Pregnancy in the military is widely understudied, which has led to a gap in our understanding of how-to best support mother and child during this time. Military moms are at risk for a number of conditions that complicate pregnancy and childbirth, including increased risk for PTSD, sexual violence, and low work support. The goal of this project is to follow military moms during pregnancy and the immediate post-partum period to understand factors that lead to successful outcomes and triggers that create distress for mother and baby.

This project is funded by the Society for Military Psychology (Division 19) of APA.