Deborah L. Rhatigan

Research Interests

Interpersonal trauma, violence, PTSD in adults

Research statement

My research interests revolve mainly around issues related to domestic violence and posttraumatic stress. Current studies in my lab examine issues related to the problem of domestic violence, such as predictors of responsibility and blame attributions for bi-directional or female-perpetrated violence, the association between substance abuse and violence, and theoretical explanations for victim decision-making (i.e., as in deciding whether to remain in or terminate violent relationships). Future studies aim to address the intersection between posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, social support, and risk for reabuse among battered women. My primary objective in conducting these studies is to develop and/or refine current interventions aimed at reducing risk for adverse psychological sequelae subsequent to trauma exposure, including potential risk for revictimization. In addition to these areas of study, I remain very interested in issues surrounding coping with violence and trauma experiences, experiential or emotional avoidance and the application of mindfulness-based interventions to trauma populations.

Honors

2004-2006 - Co-President of the Child Maltreatment and Interpersonal Violence Special Interest Group, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
2006-present - Academic Training Committee, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
2003-present - Program Committee, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies

Grants

2006 –“Electronic Diary Assessment of the Sequence of Events Leading to Partner Violence,” R01 Grant submitted 12/06 (PI: Todd Moore), Role: Co-investigator

Selected Publications

Littleton, H.L., Rhatigan, D.L., Axsom, D.K. (in press). Unacknowledged rape: How
much do we know about the sexual assault victim? Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma.

Block Lerner, J., Adair, K C., Plumb, J.C., Rhatigan, D.L., & Orsillo, S.M. (2007). The case for mindfulness-based approaches in the cultivation of empathy: Does nonjudgmental, present-moment awareness increase capacity for perspective-taking and empathic concern? Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, (33), 501-516.

Webb, J., Moore, T., Getz, G., Rhatigan, D., Stewart, C. (2007). Gender differences in the relationship among alcohol use, depression, deviant behavior, family communication, peer relations, and academic competence among late adolescents. Journal of Orthopsychiatry, (77), 478-488.

Rhatigan, D.L. & Axsom, D.K. (2006). Using the Investment Model to understand
battered women’s commitment to their abusive relationships. The Journal of Family Violence, (21), 153-162.

Rhatigan, D.L., Street, A.E., & Axsom, D.K. (2006). A critical review of theories to
explain violent relationship termination: Implications for research and intervention. Clinical Psychology Review, (26), 321-345.

Rhatigan, D.L. & Street, A.E. (2005). The impact of intimate partner violence on
decisions to leave dating relationships: A test of the Investment Model. The Journal of
Interpersonal Violence, (20), 1580-1597.

Rhatigan, D.L., Moore, T.M., & Stuart, G.L. (2005). An Investment Model analysis of
relationship stability among women court-mandated to violence interventions. Psychology of Women Quarterly, (29), 313-322.

Rhatigan, D.L., Moore, T.M., & Street, A.E. (2005). Reflections on partner violence:
Twenty years of research and beyond. The Journal of Interpersonal Violence, (20), 82-88.

Moore, T.M., Rhatigan, D.L., Stuart, G.L., & Street, A.E. (2004). Where to publish
family violence research? Violence and Victims, (19), 495-503.

Eisler, R.M., Franchina, J.J., Moore, T.M., Honeycutt, H.G., & Rhatigan, D.L. (2000).
Masculine gender role stress and intimate abuse: Effects of gender relevance of the conflict situation on men’s attributions and affective responses. The Journal of Men and Masculinity, (1), 35-47.

Manuscripts in Preparation

Moore, T. M., Stuart, G. L., Meehan, J. C., Rhatigan, D. L., Hellmuth, J., & Keen, S.
(under review). Drug use and intimate partner violence: A meta-analytic review.

Rhatigan, D.L., Moore, T.M., Stewart, C. (in preparation). Ethnic and gender
differences in responsibility and blame attributions for bi-directional violence.